Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
56m
Distance
35.3 mi
57 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Evanston, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Calumet City, IL
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning to travel from Evanston to Calumet City, expect a straightforward 35.3-mile journey that typically takes about 56 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as it is short enough to handle in one go without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate through the Midwest, utilizing a combination of the Dan Ryan Expressway, the Bishop Ford Freeway, and North Western Avenue to reach your destination. Budgeting approximately $5 for fuel makes this a very cost-effective commute. Because the drive is relatively brief, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule, whether you are heading out for business or visiting friends.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) | 8.8 mi | 11m |
| Bishop Ford Freeway | 8.5 mi | 11m |
| North Western Avenue | 5.5 mi | 11m |
| Kennedy Expressway | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| Sibley Boulevard | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| Asbury Avenue | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| North Damen Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Evanston, IL and Calumet City, IL.
Start on this road
At end of road, turn left
At end of road, turn left onto Dempster Street
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
Continue on North Western Avenue
Turn left onto North Clybourn Avenue
Turn right onto North Damen Avenue
Turn left onto West Webster Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 90; I 94
Continue on I 90; I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Sibley Boulevard
Turn right onto Wentworth Avenue
Turn left onto Pulaski Road
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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.
A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 17.7 miles from Evanston, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 32.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
At end of road, turn left
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway toward I 94 East: Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward IL 83 South: East Sibley Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$5.52 one way
$11.04 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $6.06 | $12.12 |
| premium | $4.89 | $6.79 | $13.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.79 | $15.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.6 | 0 | $3.71 | $1.69 |
| Efficient EV | 8.8 | 0 | $3.09 | $1.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.1 | 0 | $4.94 | $2.26 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Evanston on Sunday
Local time
6:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Widespread Fog
Destination
Morning in Calumet City on Sunday
Local time
6:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 66% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will find yourself navigating heavy infrastructure, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 8.8 miles on the Dan Ryan Expressway. The personality of this drive is functional and efficient rather than scenic, moving you quickly through the urban landscape. Transitions between the expressway and local roads require steady focus as you shift from high-speed arterial lanes to city streets. Expect a consistent pace that prioritizes speed and directness as you traverse the region.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) and Bishop Ford Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 13 decision points packed into just 35.3 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 56m.
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 14.8 miles (I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
47 ft
Total Descent
73 ft
Highest Point
613 ft
Elevation Range
41 ft
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 56m. Total distance: 35.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (66%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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