Origin
Norris City, IL
Afternoon in Norris City on Saturday
Local time
3:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Norris City, IL to Evanston, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 28m
Distance
310 mi
499 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 16m
★
6 AM
6h 28m
8 AM
6h 53m
10 AM
6h 37m
12 PM
6h 34m
3 PM
6h 38m
5 PM
6h 52m
8 PM
6h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Norris City, IL
Tom Fisk
Evanston, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Norris City, IL to Evanston, IL covers 310 miles and takes about 6h 28m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 57, County Road 200 East, County Road 925 E for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 196 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.46 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
155 miles from Norris City, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 25m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 196 mi | 3h 35m |
| County Road 200 East | 17.4 mi | 25m |
| County Road 925 E | 16.2 mi | 24m |
| United States Route 45 | 14.9 mi | 22m |
| County Road 1400E | 14.3 mi | 20m |
| County Road 1600E | 8.5 mi | 12m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) | 7.9 mi | 11m |
| Loy Street | 6.8 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 196 mi, about 3h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norris City, IL and Evanston, IL.
1
Start on West Main Street
167 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 45
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
North Division Street
3
Continue on US 45
7.4 mi
·
11 min
·
County Road 200 East
4
Continue on US 45
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
South 1st Street
5
Continue on US 45
9.9 mi
·
14 min
·
County Road 200 East
6
Continue on US 45
6.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Loy Street
7
Continue on US 45
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
South 1st Street
8
Turn left onto US 45; IL 15
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
West Main Street
9
Turn right onto US 45
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
County Road 1600E
10
Continue on US 45
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Street
11
Continue on US 45
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
County Road 1600E
12
Continue on US 45
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road 1800N
13
Continue on US 45
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Central Street
14
Continue on US 45
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
Central Street
15
Continue on US 45
14 mi
·
20 min
·
County Road 1400E
16
Turn right onto US 45
16 mi
·
24 min
·
County Road 925 E
17
Continue on US 45
15 mi
·
22 min
·
United States Route 45
18
Turn right onto US 40; US 45; IL 33
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
West Fayette Avenue
19
Turn left onto US 45
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South 3rd Street
20
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I-57 North, I-70 East: Champaign, Terre Haute
21
Merge onto I 57; I 70
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
I 57; I 70
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
195 mi
·
3 hr 34 min
·
I 57
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
7.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 90; I 94
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 47B
Toward Damen Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
27
Turn right onto North Damen Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Damen Avenue
Use the right lane.
28
Turn slight left onto North Clybourn Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Clybourn Avenue
29
Turn right onto North Western Avenue
5.5 mi
·
11 min
·
North Western Avenue
30
Continue on Asbury Avenue
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Asbury Avenue
31
Turn right onto Dempster Street
213 ft
·
9 sec
·
Dempster Street
32
Turn uturn
213 ft
·
17 sec
33
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 155 miles from Norris City, IL, or about 3h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 196 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 68 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155 miles or 3h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Evanston, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Norris City, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Norris City, IL
This is one driving day of about 310 miles and 6h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Norris City, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 196 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
155 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 155 miles from Norris City, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 196 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 90 and 310 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
90 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m in
Take the ramp toward I-57 North, I-70 East: Champaign, Terre Haute
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-57 North, I-70 East: Champaign, Terre...
7
91.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m in
|
I 57
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
8
289.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 53m in
|
I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Roa...
7
301.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 10m in
Take the exit toward Damen Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 47B
Toward Damen Avenue
7
310 mi into trip
|
~6h 27m in
Turn uturn
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.46 one way
$96.93 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
109 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $53.21 | $106.43 |
| premium | $4.89 | $59.66 | $119.31 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $68.44 | $136.89 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 93 | 1 | $32.55 | $14.88 |
| Efficient EV | 77.5 | 0 | $27.13 | $12.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 124 | 1 | $43.40 | $19.84 |
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Evanston, IL
Afternoon in Evanston on Saturday
Local time
3:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
9 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 28m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 288.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
310 mi in 6h 28m, mostly highway — 196 mi of that is on I 57.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 196 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and County Road 200 East. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 90 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 310 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 90 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.3 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 289.8 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Norris City, IL to Evanston, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Terre Haute along the way.
Terre Haute
90 mi in
|
~2h 13m
About the Cities
Starting in Norris City, IL
Full guide →Founded 1901
Arriving in Evanston, IL
Full guide →Founded 1836
Evanston is a city in the North Shore region of Illinois along the shores of Lake Michigan. Evanston has many identities: college town, dining destination, cultural center and gateway to the wealthy North Shore, although the city itself is anything but homogeneous in regards to economic status, culture and race. Evanston is named after John Evans, one of the founders of Northwestern University, which ranks among the most prestigious universities in the United States.
Top landmarks
- • Grosse Point Light — lighthouse in Illinois, United States
- • Shakespeare Garden — garden on the campus of Northwestern University
- • Frederick B. Carter, Jr. House — historic house in Illinois, United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 28m. Total distance: 310 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 28m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 196 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Evanston, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 90 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.3 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 289.8 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 12.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Evanston, IL before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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