If you are looking to head west from Evanston to East Dubuque, you are in for a 172.2-mile journey across the Illinois landscape. Clocking in at approximately 3 hours and 47 minutes, this trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion. You will navigate a mix of thoroughfares, including the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, South Galena Avenue, and the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway. Budgeting about $26 for fuel should cover your travel costs comfortably. Since both the origin and destination are firmly rooted in the Midwest, you can expect a familiar regional atmosphere throughout the drive. It is a straightforward route that offers enough variety to keep the journey engaging without requiring an overnight stay.
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
86.1 miles from Evanston, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
80 mi
1h 43m
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
59.4 mi
1h 3m
South Galena Avenue
7.3 mi
13m
Oakton Street
4 mi
7m
US 20 Business
3.6 mi
5m
West Touhy Avenue
3.3 mi
6m
I 39
2.6 mi
2m
East North Avenue
2.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
— 80 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Evanston, IL and East Dubuque, 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
3.3 mi·6 min·West Touhy Avenue
Use the right lane.
12
Turn left onto South Dee Road
1.0 mi·2 min·South Dee Road
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto Devon Avenue
0.9 mi·1 min·Devon Avenue
Use the left lane.
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 90 West TollUse the right lane.
15
Merge onto I 90
59 mi·1 hr 3 min·Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I-39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington
17
Merge onto I 39; US 51
0.5 mi·30 sec·I 39; US 51
18
Continue on I 39; US 20; US 51
2.1 mi·2 min·I 39; US 20; US 51
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20
30 mi·34 min·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
20
Take the exit onto US 20 Business
3.6 mi·5 min·US 20 Business
Toward US 20 BUS: Freeport
21
Turn slight right onto US 20 Business
7.3 mi·13 min·South Galena Avenue
22
Turn left onto US 20
14 mi·19 min·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
23
Continue on US 20; IL 78
2.1 mi·3 min·East North Avenue
24
Continue on US 20
6.4 mi·8 min·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
25
Continue on US 20
0.5 mi·1 min·East Woodbine Street
26
Continue on US 20
4.6 mi·6 min·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
27
Continue on US 20
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
28
Turn straight onto US 20
0.1 mi·20 sec·Diagonal Street
29
Continue on US 20
0.7 mi·1 min·West Madison Street
30
Continue on US 20
13 mi·17 min·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
31
Continue on US 20; IL 84
0.7 mi·1 min·Decatur Street
32
Continue on US 20; IL 84
0.6 mi·1 min·Spring Street
33
Continue on US 20; IL 84
12 mi·15 min·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
34
Continue on US 20
0.8 mi·1 min·Sinsinawa Avenue
35
Turn left onto Wall Street
0.2 mi·22 sec·Wall Street
36
Turn right onto 3rd Street
171 ft·8 sec·3rd Street
37
Turn left onto Sinsinawa Avenue
29 ft·1 sec·Sinsinawa Avenue
38
Arrive at destination
Sinsinawa Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 47-minute drive, aim to depart early in the morning to beat local traffic congestion. Since you only have one planned stop along the way, use that break strategically to stretch your legs and refresh your focus before tackling the more technical sections of the route. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, where services may be spaced further apart. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected road conditions or local traffic. My best advice for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the transition points between the major roads, as the navigation becomes more involved once you leave the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.
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 86.1 miles from Evanston, IL, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80 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 38 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.1 miles or 1h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Dubuque, 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 172.2 miles and 3h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 U.S. Grant Memorial Highway for about 80 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 11.1 — 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.
5
5.7 mi into trip|~11m in|Howard Street
Turn right onto Howard Street
Navigation decision point
6
11.1 mi into trip|~21m in|Devon Avenue
Turn right onto Devon Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.92 one way
$53.84 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$29.56
$59.12
premium
$4.89
$33.14
$66.28
diesel
$5.61
$38.02
$76.04
Estimated Tolls: $4.16
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(59.4 mi)$4.16
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
$27
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.7
0
$18.08
$8.27
Efficient EV
43.1
0
$15.07
$6.89
EV Truck/SUV
68.9
0
$24.11
$11.02
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Evanston, IL
Late night
in Evanston on Tuesday
Local time
4:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
East Dubuque, IL
Late night
in East Dubuque on Tuesday
Local time
4:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
62°F
Freeport, IL
86 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
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 47m 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
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...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 5.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip presents a turn-heavy, local-focused driving experience rather than a monotonous interstate haul. While you will spend some time on major roads, only 4% of your journey consists of highway driving, meaning you should prepare for more attentive navigation through local corridors. You will tackle a significant 80-mile stretch on the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of your trip. As you transition from the suburban feel of Evanston toward the driftless area near East Dubuque, the road character shifts from high-speed transit to more technical driving. Expect to stay alert at the wheel as the route demands consistent focus on the road ahead.
Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80 mi on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 19 significant decision points across 172.2 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 3h 47m. Total distance: 172.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80 miles on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.16 in tolls one way, starting with Jane Addams Memorial 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 East Dubuque, 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 (Dempster Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Asbury Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at East Dubuque, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
