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Trip from Evanston, IL to Diamond, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 38m

Distance

72 mi

116 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 31m ★
6 AM
1h 38m
8 AM
1h 53m
10 AM
1h 43m
12 PM
1h 42m
3 PM
1h 44m
5 PM
1h 52m
8 PM
1h 34m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time
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suburban city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Evanston, IL

Wikimedia Commons

allotrope of carbon often used as a gemstone and an abrasive

Diamond, IL

Kenneth Surillo

Trip Overview

The drive from Evanston, IL to Diamond, IL covers 72 miles and takes about 1h 38m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Adlai Stevenson Expressway, Tri-State Tollway, West Touhy Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed highway & surface. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 40.8 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.16 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

36 miles from Evanston, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Adlai Stevenson Expressway 40.8 mi 49m
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
West Coal City Road 0.7 mi 1m
Gross Point Road 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Adlai Stevenson Expressway — 40.8 mi, about 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Evanston, IL and Diamond, 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

41 mi · 49 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward IL 113: Coal City, Kankakee
21

Turn right onto IL 113

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Coal City Road
22

Continue on IL 113

0.3 mi · 28 sec · East Division Street
23

Turn right

38 ft · 4 sec
24

Turn right

31 ft · 2 sec
25

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 36 miles from Evanston, IL, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.8 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 16 miles or 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 36 miles or 54m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 24m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Diamond, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Evanston, IL

This is one driving day of about 72 miles and 1h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Evanston, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Adlai Stevenson Expressway for about 40.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Elmhurst, IL

36 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

Elmhurst, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lisle, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 36 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · around the midpoint

Capri Ristorante

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset · 42min in / 56min to go 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+16304554003

Visit website

Falco's Pizza

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Burr Ridge, Illinois

1.5 mi

Urban Kitchen

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crest Hill, Illinois

2.1 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Whistle Stop Cafe Diamond IL

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Diamond, Illinois

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 5 am–9 pm

+18156342360

Visit website

Topaz Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Burr Ridge, Illinois

0.8 mi

My Happy Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Diamond, Illinois

0.9 mi

Capri Ristorante

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+16304554003

Visit website

Falco's Pizza

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16306544644

Visit website

Urban Kitchen

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Crest Hill, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18157826417

Visit website

Taste of Jerusalem

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Plainfield, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–7:30 pm

+18157826500

Visit website

DW Diner Express & Liquor Store

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30

Channahon, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+18153354448

Visit website

El Barrio Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Romeoville, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+18153721100

Visit website

Carrabba's Italian Grill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately

Woodridge, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+16304270900

Visit website

Route 66 Polk-A-Dot Drive In

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Braidwood, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+18154583377

Visit website

Whistle Stop Cafe Diamond IL

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Diamond, Illinois

Hours: 5 am–9 pm

+18156342360

Visit website

Topaz Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour Expensive

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16306541616

Visit website

My Happy Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Diamond, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+18155185576

Visit website

Rosemary Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18157824094

Visit website

Cafe Smilga

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Darien, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+16304270929

Visit website

Cafe Mirage

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Schiller Park, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+18476782614

Visit website

Critical Grind Board Game Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Shorewood, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+18156304235

Visit website

Kafé De Kasa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Crest Hill, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18156303694

Visit website

LongHorn Steakhouse

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Bolingbrook, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16307830684

Visit website

Subway

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Romeoville, Illinois

Hours: 7:30 am–9 pm

+18155243248

Visit website

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Willowbrook, Illinois

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

Subway

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3 mi from route ~7 min detour Inexpensiv

Wilmington, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+18159262726

Visit website

Dock Rotz Tavern

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Minooka, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18154672200

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 29.5 — 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.
6
28.9 mi into trip | ~44m in

Take the exit toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 23 Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.16 one way

$22.33 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 25 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.32 $12.24 $24.48
premium $4.93 $13.97 $27.94
diesel $5.60 $15.87 $31.74

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

$11

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 25.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 21.6 0 $7.56 $3.46
Efficient EV 18 0 $6.30 $2.88
EV Truck/SUV 28.8 0 $10.08 $4.61

Gas CO2

25 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (68% 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 Sep 4, 2026

Origin

Evanston, IL

Afternoon in Evanston on Friday

Local time

4:20 PM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Diamond, IL

Afternoon in Diamond on Friday

Local time

4:20 PM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

65°F

Elmhurst, IL

36 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

1 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

1h 38m 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

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 29.8
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

72 mi in 1h 38m — 57% highway, the rest on surface roads. Biggest road: Adlai Stevenson Expressway.

57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 40.8 mi on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72 miles you will encounter 19 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: 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.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

760 ft 543 ft

Total Climb

183 ft

Total Descent

234 ft

Highest Point

760 ft

~36 mi in

Elevation Range

217 ft

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 Diamond, 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

Arriving in Diamond, IL

Full guide →

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 1h 38m. Total distance: 72 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (57%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 40.8 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.

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 Diamond, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

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 — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Diamond, IL before heading back.

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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Diamond, IL to Evanston, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

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