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Trip from Diamond, IL to Evanston, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 5, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 39m

Distance

72.6 mi

117 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 32m ★
6 AM
1h 40m
8 AM
1h 55m
10 AM
1h 45m
12 PM
1h 43m
3 PM
1h 46m
5 PM
1h 54m
8 PM
1h 35m

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

Best Time
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allotrope of carbon often used as a gemstone and an abrasive

Diamond, IL

Kenneth Surillo

suburban city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Evanston, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Diamond, IL to Evanston, IL covers 72.6 miles and takes about 1h 39m 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 mixed highway & surface. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 40.9 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.26 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.

Midpoint

36.3 miles from Diamond, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 44m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 40.9 mi 48m
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
Asbury Avenue 1 mi 1m
West Coal City Road 0.9 mi 1m
North Harlem Avenue 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 40.9 mi, about 48m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

94 ft · 9 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto North School Street

39 ft · 7 sec · North School Street
3

Turn left onto IL 113

0.2 mi · 24 sec · East Division Street
4

Continue on IL 113

0.9 mi · 1 min · West Coal City Road
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward I 55 North: Joliet
6

Merge onto I 55

41 mi · 48 min · I 55
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

1.6 mi · 3 min
Exit 277A Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin Use the right lane.
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
9

Merge onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

12 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Exit 42 A-B Toward Touhy Avenue Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 42 A-B Toward Touhy Avenue
13

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Exit 42A Toward Touhy Avenue East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue

3.0 mi · 5 min · East Touhy Avenue
15

Turn left onto IL 43

0.5 mi · 50 sec · North Harlem Avenue
Use the left lane.
16

Turn right onto West Howard Street

1.7 mi · 3 min · West Howard Street
17

Turn left onto New Gross Point Road

0.1 mi · 10 sec · New Gross Point Road
18

Continue on Gross Point Road

0.5 mi · 54 sec · Gross Point Road
19

Turn right onto Oakton Street

4.0 mi · 7 min · Oakton Street
20

Turn left onto Asbury Avenue

1.0 mi · 1 min · Asbury Avenue
Use the left lane.
21

Turn right onto Dempster Street

213 ft · 9 sec · Dempster Street
22

Turn uturn

213 ft · 17 sec
23

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 36.3 miles from Diamond, IL, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.9 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 16 miles or 20m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 36.3 miles or 44m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 18m

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 Diamond, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Diamond, IL

This is one driving day of about 72.6 miles and 1h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Diamond, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 40.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Elmhurst, IL

36 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

Minooka, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lisle, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 36.3 miles from Diamond, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · around the midpoint

Capri Ristorante

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset · 57min in / 43min to go 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+16304554003

Visit website

Falco's Pizza

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Burr Ridge, Illinois

1.7 mi

Urban Kitchen

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crest Hill, Illinois

2 mi

Best coffee break

Whistle Stop Cafe Diamond IL

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Diamond, Illinois

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 5 am–9 pm

+18156342360

Visit website

Topaz Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Burr Ridge, Illinois

0.5 mi

My Happy Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Diamond, Illinois

0.9 mi

Capri Ristorante

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+16304554003

Visit website

Falco's Pizza

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16306544644

Visit website

Urban Kitchen

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Crest Hill, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18157826417

Visit website

Taste of Jerusalem

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Plainfield, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–7:30 pm

+18157826500

Visit website

Carrabba's Italian Grill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately

Woodridge, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+16304270900

Visit website

DW Diner Express & Liquor Store

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30

Channahon, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+18153354448

Visit website

El Barrio Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Romeoville, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+18153721100

Visit website

Route 66 Polk-A-Dot Drive In

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Braidwood, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+18154583377

Visit website

Whistle Stop Cafe Diamond IL

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Diamond, Illinois

Hours: 5 am–9 pm

+18156342360

Visit website

Topaz Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour Expensive

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16306541616

Visit website

My Happy Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Diamond, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+18155185576

Visit website

Rosemary Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18157824094

Visit website

Cafe Smilga

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Darien, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+16304270929

Visit website

Cafe Mirage

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Schiller Park, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+18476782614

Visit website

Critical Grind Board Game Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Shorewood, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+18156304235

Visit website

Kafé De Kasa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Crest Hill, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18156303694

Visit website

LongHorn Steakhouse

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately

Bolingbrook, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16307830684

Visit website

Subway

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Romeoville, Illinois

Hours: 7:30 am–9 pm

+18155243248

Visit website

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Willowbrook, Illinois

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

Subway

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour Inexpensiv

Wilmington, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+18159262726

Visit website

Dock Rotz Tavern

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

First break 4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Minooka, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18154672200

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 42.3 and 72.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
42.3 mi into trip | ~51m 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
6
49 mi into trip | ~1h 1m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
60.8 mi into trip | ~1h 16m 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
61.4 mi into trip | ~1h 17m 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
72.6 mi into trip | ~1h 39m in

Turn uturn

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.26 one way

$22.51 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 25 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.32 $12.34 $24.68
premium $4.93 $14.09 $28.17
diesel $5.60 $16.00 $32.01

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

$11

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 25.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 21.8 0 $7.62 $3.48
Efficient EV 18.2 0 $6.35 $2.90
EV Truck/SUV 29 0 $10.16 $4.65

Gas CO2

25 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (68% 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 Aug 23, 2026

Origin

Diamond, IL

Late night in Diamond on Saturday

Local time

12:34 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Mostly Sunny

NW 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued August 23 at 1:17PM CDT until August 29 at 12:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued August 23 at 11:49AM EDT until August 26 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN

Destination

Evanston, IL

Late night in Evanston on Saturday

Local time

12:34 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Mostly Sunny

N 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued August 23 at 1:17PM CDT until August 29 at 12:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued August 23 at 11:49AM EDT until August 26 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN

65°F

Elmhurst, IL

36 mi in

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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

1h 39m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

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 42.6
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

72.6 mi in 1h 39m — 56% highway, the rest on surface roads. Biggest road: I 55.

56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 40.9 mi on I 55.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 42.3 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.6 miles you will encounter 18 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: at 42.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 49 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

773 ft 542 ft

Total Climb

250 ft

Total Descent

199 ft

Highest Point

773 ft

~36.4 mi in

Elevation Range

231 ft

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 Diamond, IL to Evanston, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Touhy Avenue East along the way.

Touhy Avenue East

61.4 mi in | ~1h 17m

About the Cities

Starting in Diamond, IL

Full guide →

Arriving in Evanston, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1836

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.

Top landmarks

  • • Grosse Point Light — lighthouse in Illinois, United States
  • • Shakespeare Garden — garden on the campus of Northwestern University
  • • Frederick B. Carter, Jr. House — historic house in Illinois, 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 1h 39m. Total distance: 72.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (56%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 40.9 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.99 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Evanston, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 42.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 49 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Evanston, IL before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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