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Trip from Woodside, IL to Evanston, IL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

4h 18m

Distance

219.2 mi

353 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

25 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 5m ★
6 AM
4h 18m
8 AM
4h 45m
10 AM
4h 27m
12 PM
4h 25m
3 PM
4h 29m
5 PM
4h 43m
8 PM
4h 10m

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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Downtown Woodside, IL, IL

Woodside, IL

Mike Tyurin

suburban city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Evanston, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Woodside, IL to Evanston, IL covers 219.2 miles and takes about 4h 18m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 55, Tri-State Tollway, Oakton Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 186.4 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.27 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

109.6 miles from Woodside, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 18m. Total distance: 219.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 4h 18m highway drive covering 219.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and Tri-State Tollway. The longest continuous stretch is about 186.4 miles on I 55.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 186.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 38.7 miles in near I 55.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 219.2 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 38.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 188.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

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

7
38.7 mi into trip | ~44m in | I 55

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
68.1 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in | I 55

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7
188.9 mi into trip | ~3h 30m 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
207.4 mi into trip | ~3h 55m 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
208 mi into trip | ~3h 56m 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

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Woodside, IL and Evanston, IL, road signs point toward Peoria and Touhy Avenue East.

Peoria

68.1 mi in | ~1h 15m | via I 55

Touhy Avenue East

208 mi in | ~3h 56m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 186.4 mi 3h 25m
Tri-State Tollway 16.6 mi 20m
Oakton Street 4 mi 7m
East Touhy Avenue 3 mi 5m
West Howard Street 1.7 mi 3m
Toronto Road 1.3 mi 2m
Asbury Avenue 1 mi 1m
Woodside Road 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 186.4 mi, about 3h 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on West Iron Bridge Road

107 ft · 4 sec · West Iron Bridge Road
2

Turn right onto Woodside Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · Woodside Road
Use the right lane.
3

Continue on Toronto Road

1.3 mi · 2 min · Toronto Road
Use the straight lane.
4

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 50 sec
5

Merge onto I 55

36 mi · 39 min · I 55
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

29 mi · 31 min · I 55
Toward I 55 North: Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

121 mi · 2 hr 14 min · I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

1.6 mi · 3 min
Exit 277A Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin Use the right lane.
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
10

Merge onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

12 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Exit 42 A-B Toward Touhy Avenue Use the slight right lane.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 42 A-B Toward Touhy Avenue
14

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Exit 42A Toward Touhy Avenue East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue

3.0 mi · 5 min · East Touhy Avenue
16

Turn left onto IL 43

0.5 mi · 50 sec · North Harlem Avenue
Use the left lane.
17

Turn right onto West Howard Street

1.7 mi · 3 min · West Howard Street
18

Turn left onto New Gross Point Road

0.1 mi · 10 sec · New Gross Point Road
19

Continue on Gross Point Road

0.5 mi · 54 sec · Gross Point Road
20

Turn right onto Oakton Street

4.0 mi · 7 min · Oakton Street
21

Turn left onto Asbury Avenue

1.0 mi · 1 min · Asbury Avenue
Use the left lane.
22

Turn right onto Dempster Street

213 ft · 9 sec · Dempster Street
23

Turn uturn

213 ft · 17 sec
24

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 109.6 miles from Woodside, IL, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 186.4 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 48 miles or 54m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 109.6 miles or 2h 1m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 19m

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 Woodside, 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 Woodside, IL

This is one driving day of about 219.2 miles and 4h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Woodside, 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 55 for about 186.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 109.6 mi from Woodside, IL · 2h 1m into the drive

Downtown Normal, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Normal, IL

110 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

Bloomington, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

El Paso, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 109.6 miles from Woodside, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 186.4 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

National Monument

In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 7.6
View on nps.gov
Pullman National Historical Park

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 189
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$34.27 one way

$68.54 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 77 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $37.63 $75.25
premium $4.89 $42.18 $84.37
diesel $5.61 $48.40 $96.79

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

$34

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 76.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

25 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Normal, Illinois

Other

1 DCFC

Rivian Waypoints

Normal, Illinois

Rivian

1 DCFC

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Lincoln, Illinois

Other

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Normal, Illinois

Tesla

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Normal, Illinois

Tesla

1 DCFC

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Bloomington, Illinois

Other

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Normal, Illinois

Tesla

1 DCFC

Rivian Adventure Network

Normal, Illinois

Rivian

1 DCFC

Other: 10 ChargePoint: 8 Tesla: 3 Rivian: 2 InCharge: 1 Tesla Destination: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 65.8 0 $23.02 $10.52
Efficient EV 54.8 0 $19.18 $8.77
EV Truck/SUV 87.7 1 $30.69 $14.03

Gas CO2

77 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

Woodside, IL

Evening in Woodside on Thursday

Local time

6:14 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Evanston, IL

Evening in Evanston on Thursday

Local time

6:14 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

13 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

4h 18m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Woodside, IL to Evanston, IL covers 219.2 miles and takes about 4h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, Tri-State Tollway, Oakton Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 109.6 miles from Woodside, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.27 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 219.2 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 38.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 188.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Woodside, IL and Evanston, IL, road signs point toward Peoria and Touhy Avenue East.

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