Origin
Union Grove, IL
Night in Union Grove on Friday
Local time
11:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Union Grove, 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
2h 56m
Distance
140.9 mi
227 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 45m
★
6 AM
2h 57m
8 AM
3h 19m
10 AM
3h 5m
12 PM
3h 2m
3 PM
3h 6m
5 PM
3h 18m
8 PM
2h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Union Grove, IL
Ali Soheil
Evanston, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 140.9-mile drive from Union Grove, IL to Evanston, IL will take you approximately 2 hours and 56 minutes. It's a straightforward trip entirely within Illinois, making it an ideal day trip. You'll primarily navigate the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway and the Tri-State Tollway. With a projected fuel cost of around $22, this route is budget-friendly for a single-day excursion. The drive is characterized by frequent turns, suggesting a more local feel rather than a continuous highway experience.
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
70.5 miles from Union Grove, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .
About the Cities
Arriving in Evanston, IL
Full guide →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.
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 2h 56m. Total distance: 140.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
This route offers a 'turn-heavy local drive' experience, with a highway share of 0%. While it involves significant mileage, the longest uninterrupted stretch is 95.7 miles on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, after which you'll encounter more varied road conditions. Expect a mix of faster tollway segments and potentially more intricate local roads as you approach your destination. This isn't a monotonous interstate cruise; be prepared for more frequent adjustments and navigation.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 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 113.6 miles in near I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 140.9 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 113.6 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
113.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m 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
118.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m 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
129.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m 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
129.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m 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
140.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m 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 Union Grove, IL and Evanston, IL, road signs point toward Rockford, Milwaukee and Touhy Avenue East.
Rockford
118.3 mi in
|
~2h 18m
Milwaukee
118.9 mi in
|
~2h 20m
Touhy Avenue East
129.7 mi in
|
~2h 34m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway | 95.7 mi | 1h 46m |
| Lincoln Road | 11.6 mi | 16m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 9.9 mi | 13m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 7.2 mi | 7m |
| Oakton Street | 4 mi | 7m |
| East Touhy Avenue | 3 mi | 5m |
| West Howard Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| East Lincoln Way | 1.3 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 Union Grove, IL and Evanston, IL.
1
Start on Ward Road
57 ft
·
7 sec
·
Ward Road
2
Turn left onto Hillside Road
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Hillside Road
3
Turn left onto US 30
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Lincoln Road
4
Continue on US 30; IL 78
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Lincoln Way
5
Continue on US 30; IL 78
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Lincolnway
6
Continue on US 30
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East Lincoln Way
7
Continue on US 30
9.0 mi
·
12 min
·
Lincoln Road
8
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
this road
9
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
this road
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 88 East: Dixon
11
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
7.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
12
Continue on I 88; IL 110
91 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
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.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
16
Merge onto I 294
9.9 mi
·
13 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 42A
Toward Touhy Avenue East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
East Touhy Avenue
21
Turn left onto IL 43
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
North Harlem Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto West Howard Street
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
West Howard Street
23
Turn left onto New Gross Point Road
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
New Gross Point Road
24
Continue on Gross Point Road
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
Gross Point Road
25
Turn right onto Oakton Street
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Oakton Street
26
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Asbury Avenue
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto Dempster Street
213 ft
·
9 sec
·
Dempster Street
28
Turn uturn
213 ft
·
17 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 56 minute duration, this route is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Plan for one stop to break up the nearly 141 miles. With a 0% highway share, pay close attention to local traffic patterns and speed limit changes, especially as you get closer to Evanston. The $22 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it’s always wise to start with a full tank to avoid unnecessary stops. Keep an eye on your navigation for the numerous turns indicated in the route profile.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 70.5 miles from Union Grove, IL, or about 1h 25m 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 31 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.5 miles or 1h 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 2h 15m
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 Union Grove, 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 Union Grove, IL
This is one driving day of about 140.9 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Union Grove, 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 70.5 mi from Union Grove, IL · 1h 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
70 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 70.5 miles from Union Grove, 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
$22.03 one way
$44.06 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.19 | $48.37 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.11 | $54.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.11 | $62.22 |
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
$22
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.3 | 0 | $14.79 | $6.76 |
| Efficient EV | 35.2 | 0 | $12.33 | $5.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.4 | 0 | $19.73 | $9.02 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Night in Evanston on Friday
Local time
11:46 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
18 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
2h 56m 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 Union Grove, IL to Evanston, IL covers 140.9 miles and takes about 2h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, Lincoln Road, Tri-State Tollway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 70.5 miles from Union Grove, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.03 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.
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 18 significant decision points across 140.9 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 113.6 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Union Grove, IL and Evanston, IL, road signs point toward Rockford, Milwaukee and Touhy Avenue East.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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