This 335-mile drive from Evanston to Cambria, Illinois, is a straightforward journey across the Midwest, estimated to take around 6 hours and 24 minutes. It's a manageable one-day trip, so you can plan to cover the entire distance without needing an overnight stay. The route is heavily focused on highway travel, with 94% of the drive on major interstates, making it an efficient way to get from point A to point B. With an estimated fuel cost of $51, it's a relatively budget-friendly option for a road trip of this length. You'll be spending most of your time on I-57, so expect a consistent driving experience for the majority of the trip.
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
167.5 miles from Evanston, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
266.5 mi
4h 51m
Ken Gray Expressway
32.7 mi
35m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.8 mi
11m
Herrin Road
6.6 mi
9m
North Western Avenue
5.5 mi
11m
Kennedy Expressway
3.6 mi
5m
East Herrin Street
3.1 mi
5m
Dan Ryan Expressway
2.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 266.5 mi, about 4h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Evanston, IL and Cambria, 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
1.5 mi·2 min·Asbury Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on North Western Avenue
5.5 mi·11 min·North Western Avenue
6
Turn left onto North Clybourn Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·North Clybourn Avenue
Use the left lane.
7
Turn right onto North Damen Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·North Damen Avenue
8
Turn left onto West Webster Avenue
139 ft·2 sec·West Webster Avenue
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East
10
Merge onto I 90; I 94
3.6 mi·5 min·Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 90; I 94
2.4 mi·2 min·Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
8.8 mi·11 min·Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 ExpressUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
201 mi·3 hr 40 min·I 57
Exit 63Toward I 57 South: MemphisUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 57
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
33 mi·35 min·Ken Gray Expressway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward Johnston City, Herrin
17
Turn right onto Herrin Road
3.1 mi·4 min·Herrin Road
18
Continue on East Herrin Street
3.1 mi·5 min·East Herrin Street
19
Continue on Herrin Road
3.5 mi·5 min·Herrin Road
20
Enter roundabout onto Cambria Road
221 ft·4 sec·Cambria Road
21
Continue on Cambria Road
0.5 mi·48 sec·Cambria Road
22
Continue on North Maple Street
1.5 mi·2 min·North Maple Street
23
Arrive at destination
South Maple Street
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour and 24-minute drive, starting early is a good strategy to maximize your daylight and avoid potential traffic, especially as you depart the Chicago metropolitan area. Given the 335-mile distance and 94% highway share, you'll have one significant stretch of 266.5 miles on I-57 where planned stops might be less frequent. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on that long stretch, as services can be more spread out in some sections. The estimated fuel cost is around $51, so factor that into your budget. This route is well-suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in when and where you take your breaks.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 167.5 miles from Evanston, IL, or about 3h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 266.5 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 74 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 167.5 miles or 3h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cambria, 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 335 miles and 6h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 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 57 for about 266.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 23.7 — 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
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Dempster Street
At end of road, turn left onto Dempster Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Asbury Avenue
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
14.8 mi into trip|~26m in|I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express
8
23.7 mi into trip|~38m in|I 57
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 63
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.37 one way
$104.75 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg117 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$57.50
$115.01
premium
$4.89
$64.47
$128.94
diesel
$5.61
$73.96
$147.93
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 117.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
17 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
ChargePoint Charging Station
Mattoon, Illinois
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Champaign, Illinois
Other
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Champaign, Illinois
EV Connect
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Champaign, Illinois
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Champaign, Illinois
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Champaign, Illinois
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
Electrify America Charging Station
Champaign, Illinois
Electrify America
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Mattoon, Illinois
Blink
1 DCFC
Other: 5
Blink: 4
ChargePoint: 3
Tesla: 2
EV Connect: 1
Tesla Destination: 1
Electrify America: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
100.5
1
$35.18
$16.08
Efficient EV
83.8
0
$29.31
$13.40
EV Truck/SUV
134
1
$46.90
$21.44
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (67% 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
Late night
in Evanston on Sunday
Local time
2:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cambria, IL
Late night
in Cambria on Sunday
Local time
2:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
10 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
6h 24m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the bulk of this 335-mile journey. Ninety-four percent of your travel will be on major interstates like I-57, the Ken Gray Expressway, and the Dan Ryan Expressway (Express). This means long stretches of consistent speed and minimal interruptions. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll encounter is a substantial 266.5 miles on I-57, offering a chance to settle in. While primarily interstate, the initial and final portions might offer a slight shift in scenery as you enter and exit the greater Chicago area and approach your destination in Southern Illinois.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 266.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 335 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 (Dempster Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Asbury Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 24m. Total distance: 335 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 24m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Evanston, IL to Cambria, IL covers 335 miles and takes about 6h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, Ken Gray Expressway, Dan Ryan Expressway (Express). Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 167.5 miles from Evanston, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $52.37 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 335 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.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.1 miles (Dempster Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Asbury Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Evanston, IL to Cambria, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
