Origin
Rolling Meadows, IL
Night in Rolling Meadows on Tuesday
Local time
11:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rolling Meadows, IL to Evanston, IL
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
35m
Distance
18.6 mi
30 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 32m
★
6 AM
0h 36m
8 AM
0h 42m
10 AM
0h 38m
12 PM
0h 37m
3 PM
0h 38m
5 PM
0h 41m
8 PM
0h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rolling Meadows, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Evanston, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This short, 18.6-mile drive from Rolling Meadows to Evanston, Illinois, is a quick 35-minute trip perfect for a single day. You'll navigate using local roads like East Golf Road, West Central Road, and West Northwest Highway, with no significant highway driving involved. The estimated fuel cost is a modest $3, reflecting the short distance. Given its brevity, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, offering a straightforward journey within the Midwest region. It's a simple, direct route designed for efficiency rather than extensive sightseeing.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
9.3 miles from Rolling Meadows, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 17m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 18.6-mile journey. With a 0% highway share, you'll be navigating primarily through suburban and town settings. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 10.4 miles on East Golf Road, offering a brief period of consistent travel before more turns come into play. This route is characterized by frequent changes in direction, requiring your attention as you move from one local road to another, rather than long, open stretches.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East Golf Road is the longest continuous segment at about 10.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Campbell Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 18.6 miles you will encounter 9 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: near the start (Campbell Street): Navigation decision point; at 6.1 miles (State Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.3 miles (IL 58 / East Golf Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Campbell Street
Turn left onto Campbell Street
Navigation decision point
5
6.1 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
6.3 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
IL 58 / East Golf Road
Enter roundabout onto IL 58 / East Golf Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
18.5 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
Dempster Street
Turn left onto Dempster Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
18.6 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Turn uturn
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Golf Road | 10.4 mi | 18m |
| West Central Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| West Northwest Highway | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| West Kirchhoff Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Emerson Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| Asbury Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Wilke Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Campbell Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
East Golf Road
— 10.4 mi, about 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rolling Meadows, IL and Evanston, IL.
1
Start on Bluebird Lane
253 ft
·
16 sec
·
Bluebird Lane
2
Turn left onto Campbell Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Campbell Street
3
Turn right onto South Wilke Road
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
South Wilke Road
4
Continue on New Wilke Road
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
New Wilke Road
5
Turn slight left onto West Kirchhoff Road
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
West Kirchhoff Road
Use the left lane.
6
Turn straight onto West Central Road
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
West Central Road
7
Turn slight right onto US 14
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
West Northwest Highway
8
Turn left onto State Street
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
State Street
Use the left lane.
9
Enter roundabout onto IL 58
160 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Golf Road
10
Continue on IL 58
10 mi
·
18 min
·
East Golf Road
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on Emerson Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Emerson Street
12
Turn right onto Asbury Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Asbury Avenue
13
Turn left onto Dempster Street
213 ft
·
9 sec
·
Dempster Street
Use the left lane.
14
Turn uturn
213 ft
·
17 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 35-minute drive, consider departing mid-morning or early afternoon to avoid the busiest local traffic. Since the total distance is only 18.6 miles and requires about $3 in fuel, you won't need to plan for extensive stops or fuel breaks. The route's 'turn-heavy' profile means staying attentive to your navigation is key, especially during the 10.4-mile stretch on East Golf Road. Flexibility is your advantage here; you can easily adjust your departure time based on your schedule for this straightforward trip.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 9.3 miles from Rolling Meadows, IL, or about 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10.4 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 18.6 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 9.3 miles or 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 29m
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 Rolling Meadows, 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 Rolling Meadows, IL
This is one driving day of about 18.6 miles and 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Rolling Meadows, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on East Golf Road for about 10.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 9.3 mi from Rolling Meadows, IL · 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
9 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 18.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 9.3 miles from Rolling Meadows, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$2.91 one way
$5.82 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $3.19 | $6.39 |
| premium | $4.89 | $3.58 | $7.16 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.11 | $8.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.6 | 0 | $1.95 | $0.89 |
| Efficient EV | 4.7 | 0 | $1.63 | $0.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.4 | 0 | $2.60 | $1.19 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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
Night in Evanston on Tuesday
Local time
11:21 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
35m 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 Rolling Meadows, IL to Evanston, IL covers 18.6 miles and takes about 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East Golf Road, West Central Road, West Northwest Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 9.3 miles from Rolling Meadows, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.91 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 18.6 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Campbell Street): Navigation decision point; at 6.1 miles (State Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.3 miles (IL 58 / East Golf Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
The route from Rolling Meadows, IL to Evanston, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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