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Trip from Evanston, IL to Brighton, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 42m

Distance

286.4 mi

461 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 29m ★
6 AM
5h 42m
8 AM
6h 9m
10 AM
5h 51m
12 PM
5h 49m
3 PM
5h 53m
5 PM
6h 7m
8 PM
5h 34m

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

city of Brighton & Hove, in East Sussex, England

Brighton, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 286.4-mile drive from Evanston, IL, to Brighton, IL, is planned for a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 42 minutes. You'll navigate primarily local roads, including Dempster Street, Asbury Avenue, and Oakton Street, with no highway segments. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $44. Given the duration and the nature of the route, it’s best treated as a dedicated travel day. This journey stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent feel throughout. Plan for one stop to break up the drive.

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

143.2 miles from Evanston, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 53m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Adlai Stevenson Expressway 119.4 mi 2h 13m
I 55 104.5 mi 1h 52m
Tri-State Tollway 17.5 mi 22m
8000N 9.1 mi 13m
County Road 1200 North 8.4 mi 12m
Broadway Street 8 mi 11m
Main Street 4.9 mi 7m
West Touhy Avenue 4 mi 7m
Longest stretch: Adlai Stevenson Expressway — 119.4 mi, about 2h 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

197 ft · 21 sec · this road
2

At end of road, turn left

139 ft · 15 sec
3

At end of road, turn left onto Dempster Street

213 ft · 14 sec · Dempster Street
4

Turn left onto Asbury Avenue

1.0 mi · 1 min · Asbury Avenue
Use the left lane.
5

Turn right onto Oakton Street

4.0 mi · 7 min · Oakton Street
6

Turn slight left onto Gross Point Road

0.5 mi · 52 sec · Gross Point Road
7

Turn straight onto New Gross Point Road

0.1 mi · 14 sec · New Gross Point Road
8

Turn right onto Howard Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Howard Street
9

Turn left onto North Lehigh Avenue

120 ft · 2 sec · North Lehigh Avenue
10

Turn right onto West Gross Point Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · West Gross Point Road
11

Turn slight right onto West Touhy Avenue

4.0 mi · 7 min · West Touhy Avenue
Use the right lane.
12

Turn left onto South Des Plaines River Road

184 ft · 3 sec · South Des Plaines River Road
13

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Toward I 294 South: Indiana
14

Merge onto I 294

11 mi · 14 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway
16

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 23 Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
18

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the slight right lane.
19

Merge onto I 55

119 mi · 2 hr 13 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

65 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

40 mi · 42 min · I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
22

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 57 sec
Toward IL 16: Gillespie, Litchfield
23

Turn straight onto IL 16

8.4 mi · 12 min · County Road 1200 North
24

Turn right onto IL 16

8.0 mi · 11 min · Broadway Street
25

Turn right onto IL 16

4.4 mi · 6 min · 8000N
26

Continue on IL 16

1.2 mi · 1 min · East Railroad Street
27

Continue on IL 16

4.7 mi · 7 min · 8000N
28

Turn left onto IL 111; IL 267

4.9 mi · 7 min · Main Street
29

Continue on North Main Street

0.4 mi · 59 sec · North Main Street
30

At end of road, turn left onto South Main Street

137 ft · 9 sec · South Main Street
31

Turn left onto North Market Street

341 ft · 9 sec · North Market Street
32

Arrive at destination

North Market Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a one-day trip covering 286.4 miles, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic delays. With a 5-hour 42-minute estimated drive time and one recommended stop, you can comfortably reach your destination without feeling rushed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as local roads can sometimes lead to less frequent or more spread-out gas stations compared to major highways. Pay close attention to posted speed limits and traffic signals, especially as you transition through various towns along Dempster Street, Asbury Avenue, and Oakton Street.

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 143.2 miles from Evanston, IL, or about 2h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.4 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 63 miles or 1h 23m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 143.2 miles or 2h 53m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 32m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brighton, 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 286.4 miles and 5h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 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 Adlai Stevenson Expressway for about 119.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bloomington, IL

143 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

Joliet, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Normal, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 143.2 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 Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 119.4 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

Subway

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Romeoville, Illinois

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 40.9

Hours: 7:30 am–9 pm

+18155243248

Visit website

Cancun

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Sherman, Illinois

1.8 mi

El Quetzalito Mexican Restaurant

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Divernon, Illinois

1.9 mi

Subway

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 40.9

Romeoville, Illinois

Hours: 7:30 am–9 pm

+18155243248

Visit website

Cancun

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 204.6

Sherman, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12174963221

Visit website

El Quetzalito Mexican Restaurant

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 225

Divernon, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12176280000

Visit website

El Barrio Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 40.9

Romeoville, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+18153721100

Visit website

Gio's Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 40.9

Romeoville, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+18159053987

Visit website

J. Alexander's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour Expensive mile 20.5

Oak Brook, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+16305738180

Visit website

Ditka's Oakbrook

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour Expensive mile 20.5

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16305722200

Visit website

Simon's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 20.5

Villa Park, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+16305300200

Visit website

PD Coffee Shop

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Chicago, Illinois

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 143.2

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Rivian Waypoints

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 143.2

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484261

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 143.2

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484273

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 143.2

Normal, Illinois

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 143.2

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 143.2

Normal, Illinois

+13094549590

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 143.2

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 143.2

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 149.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in

At end of road, turn left

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Asbury Avenue

Turn left onto Asbury Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
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.
7
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
8
149.3 mi into trip | ~3h in | I 55

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

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 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$44.78 one way

$89.55 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 100 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $49.16 $98.32
premium $4.89 $55.12 $110.23
diesel $5.61 $63.23 $126.47

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

$45

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$71–$96

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 100.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 85.9 1 $30.07 $13.75
Efficient EV 71.6 0 $25.06 $11.46
EV Truck/SUV 114.6 1 $40.10 $18.33

Gas CO2

100 kg

EV CO2

34 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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

Night in Evanston on Saturday

Local time

11:34 PM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Brighton, IL

Night in Brighton on Saturday

Local time

11:34 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

52°F

Bloomington, IL

143 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

12 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

5h 42m 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.

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 ~8 min detour Free near mile 207.4
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 29.6
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with a 0% highway share. The journey is characterized by frequent turns and navigating through towns and residential areas rather than open highway cruising. While there isn't a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the profile suggests a continuous engagement with local traffic patterns and intersections. This means you'll be actively steering and making decisions more often than on a typical interstate trip, making for a more involved driving experience.

78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 119.4 mi on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 55. 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 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 22 significant decision points across 286.4 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.

Between Evanston, IL and Brighton, IL, road signs point toward St. Louis, Springfield and Litchfield.

St. Louis

28.9 mi in | ~44m

Springfield

149.3 mi in | ~3h | via I 55

Litchfield

253.9 mi in | ~4h 52m

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 5h 42m. Total distance: 286.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 119.4 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. 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.

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 Brighton, 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: 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.

Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Brighton, IL before the return drive.

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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