Trip from Steeleville, IL to Evanston, IL

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

6h 50m

Distance

343.3 mi

553 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$54

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min

4 AM

6h 39m ★

6 AM

6h 51m

8 AM

7h 14m

10 AM

6h 59m

12 PM

6h 57m

3 PM

7h 0m

5 PM

7h 13m

8 PM

6h 44m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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suburban city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Evanston, IL

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Trip Overview

The drive from Steeleville, IL to Evanston, IL covers 343.3 miles and takes about 6h 50m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 57, North Main Street, I 64 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 241.8 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $53.67 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

171.7 miles from Steeleville, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 29m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This is a 6h 50m highway drive covering 343.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and North Main Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 241.8 miles on I 57.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 241.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and North Main Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.7 miles in near IL 154.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 343.3 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 9.7 miles (IL 154): Navigation decision point; at 124.5 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 323.1 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

9.7 mi into trip | ~17m in | IL 154

At end of road, turn right onto IL 154

Navigation decision point

124.5 mi into trip | ~2h 37m 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

323.1 mi into trip | ~6h 16m 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...

334.7 mi into trip | ~6h 33m 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

343.3 mi into trip | ~6h 50m 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.

On the drive from Steeleville, IL to Evanston, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Ashley along the way.

Ashley

52 mi in | ~1h 10m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 57	241.8 mi	4h 24m
North Main Street	21.7 mi	26m
I 64	10.3 mi	11m
East Broadway Street	9.7 mi	17m
IL 154	8.9 mi	13m
United States Route 51	8.8 mi	10m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)	7.9 mi	11m
US 50	7.8 mi	9m

Longest stretch: I 57 — 241.8 mi, about 4h 24m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Steeleville, IL and Evanston, IL.

Start on this road

38 ft · 8 sec · this road

Turn left onto North Sparta Street

52 ft · 7 sec · North Sparta Street

Turn left onto IL 4; IL 150

9.7 mi · 17 min · East Broadway Street

At end of road, turn right onto IL 154

8.9 mi · 13 min · IL 154

Enter roundabout onto Kennedy Drive

44 ft · 0 sec · Kennedy Drive

Continue on Kennedy Drive

0.4 mi · 34 sec · Kennedy Drive

Continue on IL 13; IL 154

0.6 mi · 57 sec · West Water Street

Turn left onto IL 127

22 mi · 26 min · North Main Street

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 45 sec

Merge onto I 64

10 mi · 11 min · I 64

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Toward US 51: Centralia, Ashley

Turn left onto US 51

8.8 mi · 10 min · United States Route 51

Continue on US 51

2.6 mi · 5 min · Elm Street

Continue on US 51

0.9 mi · 1 min · South Broadway

Continue on US 51

4.3 mi · 6 min · County Road 180 East

Continue on US 51

0.6 mi · 54 sec · South Mine Street

Continue on US 50; US 51

0.2 mi · 12 sec · N Mine St

Continue on US 50; US 51

347 ft · 4 sec · North Mine Street

Take the exit

134 ft · 3 sec

Turn right onto US 50

7.8 mi · 9 min · US 50

Turn left

0.4 mi · 54 sec

Merge onto I 57

47 mi · 50 min · I 57

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.

Continue on I 94

3.3 mi · 4 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Continue on I 90; I 94

3.7 mi · 5 min · Kennedy Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Exit 47B Toward Damen Avenue Use the slight right lane.

Turn right onto North Damen Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Damen Avenue

Use the right lane.

Turn slight left onto North Clybourn Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Clybourn Avenue

Turn right onto North Western Avenue

5.5 mi · 11 min · North Western Avenue

Continue on Asbury Avenue

1.5 mi · 2 min · Asbury Avenue

Turn right onto Dempster Street

213 ft · 9 sec · Dempster Street

Turn uturn

213 ft · 17 sec

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 171.7 miles from Steeleville, IL, or about 3h 29m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 241.8 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 49m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 171.7 miles or 3h 29m 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 31m

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 Steeleville, 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 Steeleville, IL

This is one driving day of about 343.3 miles and 6h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Steeleville, 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 241.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 171.7 mi from Steeleville, IL · 3h 29m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Champaign, IL

172 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

Frankfort, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Champaign, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 171.7 miles from Steeleville, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 241.8 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.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$53.67 one way

$107.34 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 120 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$58.93	$117.86
premium	$4.89	$66.06	$132.13
diesel	$5.61	$75.80	$151.59

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$54

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$79–$104

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 120.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	103	1	$36.05	$16.48
Efficient EV	85.8	0	$30.04	$13.73
EV Truck/SUV	137.3	1	$48.06	$21.97

Gas CO2

120 kg

EV CO2

40 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.

Forecast data refreshed 17 hours ago

Origin

Steeleville, IL

Afternoon in Steeleville on Tuesday

Local time

2:46 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Evanston, IL

Afternoon in Evanston on Tuesday

Local time

2:46 PM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms

SSW 15 mph 39% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 9:00PM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 9:00PM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

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

7 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

6h 50m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Steeleville, IL to Evanston, IL covers 343.3 miles and takes about 6h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 57, North Main Street, I 64. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 171.7 miles from Steeleville, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $53.67 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

On the drive from Steeleville, IL to Evanston, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Ashley along the way.

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