Origin
East Dubuque, IL
Late night in East Dubuque on Tuesday
Local time
4:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from East Dubuque, IL to Evanston, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 43m
Distance
171.3 mi
276 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 30m
★
6 AM
3h 43m
8 AM
4h 8m
10 AM
3h 52m
12 PM
3h 49m
3 PM
3h 53m
5 PM
4h 7m
8 PM
3h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
East Dubuque, IL
Choco Kitty
Evanston, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from East Dubuque to Evanston covers 171.3 miles across the Illinois landscape, typically taking about 3 hours and 43 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Expect to spend roughly $26 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly option for a weekend getaway. You will navigate via the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, and West State Road. Since both the origin and destination are located within the Midwest, the route offers a familiar transition from the rolling terrain near the Mississippi River toward the urban density of the Chicago suburbs.
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
85.6 miles from East Dubuque, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Grant Memorial Highway | 82.2 mi | 1h 45m |
| Jane Addams Memorial Tollway | 55.4 mi | 59m |
| West State Road | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| East Oakton Street | 6.1 mi | 12m |
| Oakton Street | 5.8 mi | 11m |
| West North Avenue | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| South Lane | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Asbury Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
— 82.2 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Dubuque, IL and Evanston, IL.
1
Start on Sinsinawa Avenue
29 ft
·
3 sec
·
Sinsinawa Avenue
2
Turn right onto 3rd Street
171 ft
·
8 sec
·
3rd Street
3
Turn left onto Wall Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Wall Street
4
Turn right onto US 20
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Sinsinawa Avenue
5
Continue on US 20
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
6
Continue on US 20
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Lane
7
Continue on US 20
8.0 mi
·
10 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
8
Continue on US 20; IL 84
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Spring Street
9
Continue on US 20; IL 84
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Decatur Street
10
Continue on US 20; IL 84
13 mi
·
17 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
11
Continue on US 20
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Madison Street
12
Continue on US 20
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
West Diagonal Street
13
Continue on US 20
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
14
Continue on US 20
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
15
Continue on US 20
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Woodbine Street
16
Continue on US 20
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
17
Continue on US 20
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
West North Avenue
18
Continue on US 20
33 mi
·
41 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
19
Continue on US 20
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
West State Road
20
Continue on US 20
14 mi
·
16 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Toward US 20 East: Chicago
21
Continue on I 39; US 51
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
I 39; US 51
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 East: Chicago
23
Merge onto I 90
20 mi
·
21 min
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
36 mi
·
38 min
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 73
Toward Elmhurst Road
Use the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight left at fork
288 ft
·
9 sec
Toward Elmhurst Road North
Use the slight left lane.
27
Turn straight onto South Elmhurst Road
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
South Elmhurst Road
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
28
Turn right onto West Oakton Street
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
West Oakton Street
Use the right lane.
29
Continue on West Oakton Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Oakton Street
30
Continue on East Oakton Street
6.1 mi
·
12 min
·
East Oakton Street
31
Continue on Oakton Street
5.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Oakton Street
Use the left lane.
32
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Asbury Avenue
Use the left lane.
33
Turn right onto Dempster Street
213 ft
·
9 sec
·
Dempster Street
34
Turn uturn
213 ft
·
17 sec
35
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is straightforward given the 3 hour and 43 minute duration, but you should account for the single stop recommended to keep your energy levels high. Since this is a turn-heavy route, try to avoid leaving during peak traffic hours to ensure your navigation remains stress-free. Keep a small amount of cash or a transponder ready for the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway portion of your trip to avoid delays at toll plazas. Because the route is relatively short, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace to suit your personal comfort. A practical tip for this specific drive is to keep a close watch on your GPS during the transitions between the Grant Memorial Highway and the local road segments, as the frequent turns can be easy to miss if you aren't paying close attention.
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 85.6 miles from East Dubuque, IL, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.2 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 38 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.6 miles or 1h 56m 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 56m
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 East Dubuque, 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 East Dubuque, IL
This is one driving day of about 171.3 miles and 3h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from East Dubuque, 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 U.S. Grant Memorial Highway for about 82.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 85.6 miles from East Dubuque, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before U.S. Grant Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 120.8 and 171.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
120.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
|
I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
156.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 13m in
Take the exit toward Elmhurst Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 73
Toward Elmhurst Road
7
156.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Elmhurst Road North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Elmhurst Road North
6
157.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 15m in
|
West Oakton Street
Turn right onto West Oakton Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
171.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 42m in
Turn uturn
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.78 one way
$53.56 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $29.40 | $58.81 |
| premium | $4.89 | $32.97 | $65.93 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.82 | $75.64 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.88
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(55.4 mi)
$3.88
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
$27
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.4 | 0 | $17.99 | $8.22 |
| Efficient EV | 42.8 | 0 | $14.99 | $6.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.5 | 0 | $23.98 | $10.96 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Late night in Evanston on Tuesday
Local time
4:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°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
2 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 43m 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.
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...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 171.3
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is best described as a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, the route features a mix of segments that keep the drive feeling active rather than repetitive. You will spend your longest uninterrupted time on the road during an 82.2-mile stretch along the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway. Because the highway share is 0%, you should be prepared for more frequent gear shifts and navigation adjustments rather than long-distance cruise control. The character of the road changes significantly as you transition from local roads into the tollway system, requiring you to stay alert through various road configurations.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.2 mi on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 120.8 miles in near I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 171.3 miles you will encounter 13 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 120.8 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 156.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 156.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
985 ft
608 ft
Total Climb
506 ft
Total Descent
501 ft
Highest Point
985 ft
~24.5 mi in
Elevation Range
377 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 East Dubuque, IL to Evanston, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Elmhurst Road North along the way.
Elmhurst Road North
156.8 mi in
|
~3h 14m
About the Cities
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 3h 43m. Total distance: 171.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.2 miles on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.88 in tolls one way, starting with Jane Addams Memorial 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 120.8 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 156.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 156.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Evanston, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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