Origin
Rock Island, IL
Afternoon in Rock Island on Tuesday
Local time
2:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rock Island, IL to Evanston, IL
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 42m
Distance
180 mi
290 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 30m
★
6 AM
3h 42m
8 AM
4h 8m
10 AM
3h 51m
12 PM
3h 49m
3 PM
3h 52m
5 PM
4h 6m
8 PM
3h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rock Island, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Evanston, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Rock Island, IL to Evanston, IL covers 180 miles and takes about 3h 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, I 88, John Deere Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 95.7 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.14 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
90 miles from Rock Island, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 42m drive with frequent turns across 180 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 95.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 152.6 miles in near I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 180 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 152.6 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 157.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 168.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
152.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 58m in
|
I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
157.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 139
Toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rock...
7
168.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m in
Take the exit toward Touhy Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
8
168.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 20m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Touhy Avenue East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 42A
Toward Touhy Avenue East
7
179.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 42m in
Turn uturn
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Rock Island, IL and Evanston, IL, road signs point toward Rockford, Milwaukee and Touhy Avenue East.
Rockford
157.4 mi in
|
~3h 4m
Milwaukee
158 mi in
|
~3h 5m
Touhy Avenue East
168.7 mi in
|
~3h 20m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway | 95.7 mi | 1h 46m |
| I 88 | 43.8 mi | 46m |
| John Deere Road | 10.6 mi | 15m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 9.9 mi | 13m |
| Oakton Street | 4 mi | 7m |
| East Touhy Avenue | 3 mi | 5m |
| 5th Avenue | 2.4 mi | 5m |
| I 74 | 2.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
— 95.7 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rock Island, IL and Evanston, IL.
1
Start on US 67
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
15th Street
2
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
5th Avenue
3
Continue on IL 92
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
38th Street
4
Turn left onto IL 92
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
7th Avenue
5
Continue on IL 92
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
5th Avenue
6
Continue on IL 92
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
5th Avenue
7
Turn straight onto IL 92
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
·
6th Avenue
8
Turn right onto 14th Street
329 ft
·
14 sec
·
14th Street
9
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
7th Avenue
10
Turn right onto 19th Street
67 ft
·
1 sec
·
19th Street
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
12
Merge onto I 74; US 6
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
I 74; US 6
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward IL 5 East
14
Merge onto IL 5
11 mi
·
15 min
·
John Deere Road
15
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 5; IL 92
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
IL 5; IL 92
16
Continue on I 88; IL 92
44 mi
·
46 min
·
I 88; IL 92
17
Continue on I 88; IL 110
91 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 139
Toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
21
Merge onto I 294
9.9 mi
·
13 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 42A
Toward Touhy Avenue East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
East Touhy Avenue
26
Turn left onto IL 43
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
North Harlem Avenue
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto West Howard Street
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
West Howard Street
28
Turn left onto New Gross Point Road
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
New Gross Point Road
29
Continue on Gross Point Road
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
Gross Point Road
30
Turn right onto Oakton Street
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Oakton Street
31
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Asbury Avenue
Use the left lane.
32
Turn right onto Dempster Street
213 ft
·
9 sec
·
Dempster Street
33
Turn uturn
213 ft
·
17 sec
34
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 90 miles from Rock Island, IL, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.7 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 80 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90 miles or 1h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 52m
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 Rock Island, 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 Rock Island, IL
This is one driving day of about 180 miles and 3h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Rock Island, 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 Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for about 95.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 90 mi from Rock Island, IL · 1h 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
90 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 90 miles from Rock Island, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 95.7 miles.
Arriving in Evanston, IL
The final approach into Evanston, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Evanston, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.14 one way
$56.28 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $30.90 | $61.80 |
| premium | $4.89 | $34.64 | $69.28 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.74 | $79.48 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.34
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(95.7 mi)
$5.74
Tri-state Tollway
(9.9 mi)
$0.60
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54 | 0 | $18.90 | $8.64 |
| Efficient EV | 45 | 0 | $15.75 | $7.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 72 | 0 | $25.20 | $11.52 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Tuesday
Local time
2:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°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
1 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
3h 42m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Rock Island, IL to Evanston, IL covers 180 miles and takes about 3h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, I 88, John Deere Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 90 miles from Rock Island, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.14 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 180 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 152.6 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 157.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 168.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Rock Island, IL and Evanston, IL, road signs point toward Rockford, Milwaukee and Touhy Avenue East.
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