Trip from Evanston, IL to Annawan, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 1m

Distance

149.8 mi

241 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min

4 AM

2h 50m ★

6 AM

3h 1m

8 AM

3h 24m

10 AM

3h 9m

12 PM

3h 7m

3 PM

3h 10m

5 PM

3h 23m

8 PM

2h 54m

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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suburban city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Evanston, IL

Wikimedia Commons

town in Henry County, Illinois, United States

Annawan, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Evanston, IL to Annawan, IL is 149.8 miles and takes about 3h 1m via I 80, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Illinois, moving from the suburban Midwest into a more rural Midwestern landscape. Given its relatively short duration and mostly highway profile, this is a straightforward trip, ideal for a single-day excursion. You'll be on major interstates for most of the way, making for efficient travel. The total cost for fuel is estimated at around $23.

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

74.9 miles from Evanston, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 80	92.3 mi	1h 38m
Adlai Stevenson Expressway	25.9 mi	32m
Tri-State Tollway	17.5 mi	22m
West Touhy Avenue	4 mi	7m
Oakton Street	4 mi	7m
Asbury Avenue	1 mi	1m
West Gross Point Road	0.9 mi	1m
Gross Point Road	0.5 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 80 — 92.3 mi, about 1h 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

197 ft · 21 sec · this road

At end of road, turn left

139 ft · 15 sec

At end of road, turn left onto Dempster Street

213 ft · 14 sec · Dempster Street

Turn left onto Asbury Avenue

1.0 mi · 1 min · Asbury Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Oakton Street

4.0 mi · 7 min · Oakton Street

Turn slight left onto Gross Point Road

0.5 mi · 52 sec · Gross Point Road

Turn straight onto New Gross Point Road

0.1 mi · 14 sec · New Gross Point Road

Turn right onto Howard Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Howard Street

Turn left onto North Lehigh Avenue

120 ft · 2 sec · North Lehigh Avenue

Turn right onto West Gross Point Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · West Gross Point Road

Turn slight right onto West Touhy Avenue

4.0 mi · 7 min · West Touhy Avenue

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto South Des Plaines River Road

184 ft · 3 sec · South Des Plaines River Road

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 55 sec

Toward I 294 South: Indiana

Merge onto I 294

11 mi · 14 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 23 Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec

Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 55

26 mi · 32 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min

Exit 250B Toward I 80 West: Iowa Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 80

92 mi · 1 hr 38 min · I 80

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 36 sec

Toward IL 78: Prophetstown, Kewanee

Turn left onto IL 78

0.1 mi · 14 sec · East 2750 Street

Continue on IL 78

0.5 mi · 50 sec · North Canal Street

Arrive at destination

IL 78

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour drive, leaving Evanston in the morning should allow you to reach Annawan with plenty of daylight. Since the drive is short and mostly on the interstate, you can be flexible with stops. The longest stretch without needing to exit is over 90 miles on I 80, so plan for any necessary breaks before or after that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you approach the 92.3-mile stretch on I 80, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination or a convenient exit. The estimated fuel cost is $23.

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 74.9 miles from Evanston, IL, or about 1h 40m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.3 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 33 miles or 50m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 74.9 miles or 1h 40m 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 31m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Annawan, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Evanston, 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 Evanston, IL

This is one driving day of about 149.8 miles and 3h 1m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Evanston, 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 92.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

village in Will County, Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Romeoville, IL

75 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

Downers Grove, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Marseilles, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 74.9 miles from Evanston, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 92.3 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Purple Onion

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Annawan, Illinois

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 149.8

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+13099356621

Visit website

Falco's Pizza

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Burr Ridge, Illinois

0.5 mi

Subway

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Annawan, Illinois

0.3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Critical Grind Board Game Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Shorewood, Illinois

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 53.5

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+18156304235

Visit website

Kafe De Kasa

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Shorewood, Illinois

1.1 mi

Babs Brew

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Peru, Illinois

2.8 mi

Purple Onion

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 149.8

Annawan, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+13099356621

Visit website

Falco's Pizza

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 32.1

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16306544644

Visit website

Subway

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 149.8

Annawan, Illinois

Hours: 8:30 am–9:30 pm

+17792455302

Visit website

Hometown Haven

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 149.8

Annawan, Illinois

Hours: 6:30 am–1 pm

+13094892061

Visit website

Shell

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 149.8

Annawan, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+17792455304

Visit website

Chuck's Southern Comforts Cafe & Banquets

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 32.1

Darien, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13314314000

Visit website

Happy Place Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 53.5

Shorewood, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+18156661447

Visit website

Capri Ristorante

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 32.1

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+16304554003

Visit website

Critical Grind Board Game Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 53.5

Shorewood, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+18156304235

Visit website

Kafe De Kasa

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 53.5

Shorewood, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17792421902

Visit website

Kafé De Kasa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 53.5

Crest Hill, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18156303694

Visit website

Babs Brew

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 107

Peru, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

Visit website

The Happy Crab Mobile Coffee Bar

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 64.2

Minooka, Illinois

+18155928941

Visit website

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 149.8

Annawan, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13099355999

Psycho Silo Saloon

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 139.1

Sheffield, Illinois

+18158781058

Visit website

Red's Bar & Grill

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 139.1

Sheffield, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18154548023

Hawg House Saloon

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 128.4

Princeton, Illinois

Hours: 3 pm–2 am

+18159158582

Visit website

Dock Rotz Tavern

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 64.2

Minooka, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18154672200

Visit website

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 32.1

Willowbrook, Illinois

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

Misfits

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 96.3

Ottawa, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+18153135287

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 55.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in

At end of road, turn left

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Asbury Avenue

Turn left onto Asbury Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

27.6 mi into trip | ~43m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

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

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

29.5 mi into trip | ~45m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

55.8 mi into trip | ~1h 19m in

Take the exit toward I 80 West: Iowa

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 250B Toward I 80 West: Iowa

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.42 one way

$46.84 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 52 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$25.71	$51.43
premium	$4.89	$28.83	$57.66
diesel	$5.61	$33.07	$66.15

Estimated Tolls: $1.05

Tri-state Tollway (17.5 mi) $1.05

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

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 52.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	44.9	$15.73	$7.19
Efficient EV	37.5	$13.11	$5.99
EV Truck/SUV	59.9	$20.97	$9.59

Gas CO2

52 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (65% 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 16, 2026

Origin

Evanston, IL

Late night in Evanston on Sunday

Local time

2:55 AM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Annawan, IL

Late night in Annawan on Sunday

Local time

2:55 AM

CDT

Current temp

51°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

16 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 1m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is mostly highway, with 79% of the 149.8 miles on major roads like I 80 and the Tri-State Tollway. Expect a long stretch of 92.3 miles on I 80, offering a consistent cruising experience. The drive transitions from the Adlai Stevenson Expressway and Tri-State Tollway, which feature numerous exits and urban-influenced traffic, to the more open feel of I 80. You'll notice the change as you move further west and the landscape becomes less developed.

79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 92.3 mi on I 80.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Adlai Stevenson Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 19 significant decision points across 149.8 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: near the start: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.1 miles (Asbury Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Evanston, IL to Annawan, IL, road signs begin pointing toward St. Louis along the way.

St. Louis

28.9 mi in | ~44m

About the Cities

Starting 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 1m. Total distance: 149.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 92.3 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.05 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.

Yes — we found about 23 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

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 Annawan, 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. There are 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Annawan, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Explore more options from Evanston, IL or browse trips ending in Annawan, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

Trip from Evanston, IL to Annawan, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Purple Onion

Critical Grind Board Game Cafe

Purple Onion

Falco's Pizza

Subway

Hometown Haven

Shell

Chuck's Southern Comforts Cafe & Banquets

Happy Place Cafe

Capri Ristorante

Critical Grind Board Game Cafe

Kafe De Kasa

Kafé De Kasa

Babs Brew

The Happy Crab Mobile Coffee Bar

Jeremiah Joe Coffee - Downtown Ottawa

The Daily Grind Specialty Cafe

The Library Café

Hinsdale Oasis

Great Sauk Trail Rest Area - Westbound

TA

Pilot Travel Center

Great Sauk Trail Rest Area - Eastbound

Three Rivers Rest Area (Eastbound)

Three Rivers Rest Area (Westbound)

Service Plaza

Sapp Brothers Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Flying J Travel Center

Road Ranger

Road Ranger

Greater Chicago Truck Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Rest Area

Service Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

Mick's Bar & Grill

Psycho Silo Saloon

Red's Bar & Grill

Hawg House Saloon

Dock Rotz Tavern

Prairie Trail Park

Misfits

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Evanston, IL

Annawan, IL

Same local time

16 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 1m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Evanston, IL

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?