The drive from Washburn, IL to Evanston, IL covers 146.7 miles and takes about 3h 8m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 80, I 55, I 39 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 47.3 miles on I 80.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.93 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
73.4 miles from Washburn, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 29m into the drive
.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 8m. Total distance: 146.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 8m highway drive covering 146.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and I 55. The longest continuous stretch is about 47.3 miles on I 80.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 47.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 55. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 89.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 20 significant decision points across 146.7 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 89.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 134.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
89.4 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Take the exit toward I 55 North: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 126B
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
7
116.4 mi into trip|~2h 20m in
Take the exit toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
7
134.8 mi into trip|~2h 45m 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
135.5 mi into trip|~2h 46m 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
146.7 mi into trip|~3h 8m 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 Washburn, IL to Evanston, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Touhy Avenue East along the way.
Touhy Avenue East
135.5 mi in|~2h 46m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
47.3 mi
50m
I 55
26.6 mi
32m
I 39
23.2 mi
24m
Tri-State Tollway
16.6 mi
20m
700 North Road
9.2 mi
13m
East State Street
5.4 mi
9m
Oakton Street
4 mi
7m
East Touhy Avenue
3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 47.3 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Washburn, IL and Evanston, IL.
1
Start on IL 89
0.4 mi·37 sec·North Jefferson Street
2
Continue on IL 89
5.4 mi·9 min·East State Street
3
Continue on IL 89
3.0 mi·5 min·2160 E Rd
4
Turn right onto 700 North Road
9.2 mi·13 min·700 North Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
6
Merge onto I 39; US 51
23 mi·24 min·I 39; US 51
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·57 sec
Exit 59AToward I 80 East: Chicago
8
Merge onto I 80
47 mi·50 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 126BToward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the right lane.
10
Merge onto I 55
27 mi·32 min·I 55
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.6 mi·3 min
Exit 277AToward I 294 Tollway North: WisconsinUse the right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
13
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
12 mi·15 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy AvenueUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy Avenue
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 42AToward Touhy Avenue EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
3.0 mi·5 min·East Touhy Avenue
19
Turn left onto IL 43
0.5 mi·50 sec·North Harlem Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto West Howard Street
1.7 mi·3 min·West Howard Street
21
Turn left onto New Gross Point Road
0.1 mi·10 sec·New Gross Point Road
22
Continue on Gross Point Road
0.5 mi·54 sec·Gross Point Road
23
Turn right onto Oakton Street
4.0 mi·7 min·Oakton Street
24
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1.0 mi·1 min·Asbury Avenue
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto Dempster Street
213 ft·9 sec·Dempster Street
26
Turn uturn
213 ft·17 sec
27
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 73.4 miles from Washburn, IL, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.3 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 32 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.4 miles or 1h 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 2h 26m
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 Washburn, 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 Washburn, IL
This is one driving day of about 146.7 miles and 3h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Washburn, 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 80 for about 47.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 73.4 mi from Washburn, IL
· 1h 29m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 116.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.93 one way
$45.87 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$25.18
$50.36
premium
$4.89
$28.23
$56.46
diesel
$5.61
$32.39
$64.78
Estimated Tolls: $0.99
Tri-state Tollway
(16.6 mi)$0.99
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
$23
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.3 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
44
0
$15.40
$7.04
Efficient EV
36.7
0
$12.84
$5.87
EV Truck/SUV
58.7
0
$20.54
$9.39
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Washburn, IL
Evening
in Washburn on Friday
Local time
6:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Evanston, IL
Evening
in Evanston on Friday
Local time
6:40 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
6 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 8m 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 Washburn, IL to Evanston, IL covers 146.7 miles and takes about 3h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, I 55, I 39. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 73.4 miles from Washburn, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.93 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 20 significant decision points across 146.7 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 89.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 134.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Washburn, IL to Evanston, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Touhy Avenue East along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.
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.
