Evanston, IL to Fairmont City, IL is 301.4 miles and takes about 5h 46m via I 55, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region from a northern suburb to a location just east of St. Louis. It's a straightforward trip primarily on major interstate highways, making it a practical choice for a single-day transit. Expect a consistent driving experience with minimal need for complex navigation, suitable for those prioritizing efficiency over a leisurely pace.
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
150.7 miles from Evanston, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
150.7 mi
2h 43m
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
119.4 mi
2h 13m
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
Kingshighway
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 150.7 mi, about 2h 43m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,778 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,331
Quietest
2 AM
~165 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Evanston, IL and Fairmont City, 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 23Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse 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, SpringfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
86 mi·1 hr 33 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 6Toward IL 111: Wood River, Washington Park, Great River Road NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn left onto IL 111
0.4 mi·38 sec·IL 111
24
Turn left onto IL 111
0.2 mi·18 sec·Collinsville Road
25
Turn right onto IL 111
0.7 mi·1 min·Kingshighway
26
Turn left onto Thomas Avenue
24 ft·1 sec·Thomas Avenue
27
Arrive at destination
Thomas Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour and 46 minute estimated drive time, departing Evanston in the morning should allow you to reach Fairmont City comfortably within daylight hours. With only one recommended stop, you can choose a convenient point along I 55 for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 150.7 miles on I 55, as services can be more spread out. The estimated fuel cost of $48 is a helpful budget point to consider for this 301.4-mile trip within Illinois.
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 150.7 miles from Evanston, IL, or about 3h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 150.7 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 66 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150.7 miles or 3h 1m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairmont City, 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 301.4 miles and 5h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 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 55 for about 150.7 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 300 — 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
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
7
214.1 mi into trip|~4h 10m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
8
300 mi into trip|~5h 43m in
Take the exit toward IL 111: Wood River, Washington Park, Great River Road North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 6
Toward IL 111: Wood River, Washington Park, Gre...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.28 one way
$100.55 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg106 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$54.86
$109.71
premium
$5.25
$62.33
$124.67
diesel
$6.28
$74.47
$148.94
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
$50
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
90.4
1
$31.65
$14.47
Efficient EV
75.4
0
$26.37
$12.06
EV Truck/SUV
120.6
1
$42.20
$19.29
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Evanston, IL
Late night
in Evanston on Sunday
Local time
5:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Clear
SW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Fairmont City, IL
Late night
in Fairmont City on Sunday
Local time
5:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Clear
SE 1 mph0% chanceLive 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
8 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 46m 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
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
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 207.9
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...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 31.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 90% of the 301.4 miles on interstates like I 55 and the Tri-State Tollway. You'll experience a significant stretch of 150.7 miles on I 55 without needing to exit. The Adlai Stevenson Expressway portion involves merging traffic as you leave the Chicago metropolitan area. After the initial highway miles, the remaining 10% of the trip will likely involve more local roads as you approach Fairmont City.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 150.7 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Adlai Stevenson 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 301.4 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 29.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 149.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
758 ft418 ft
Total Climb
391 ft
Total Descent
586 ft
Highest Point
758 ft
~150.7 mi in
Elevation Range
339 ft
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 Fairmont City, IL, road signs point toward St. Louis and Springfield.
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 5h 46m. Total distance: 301.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 150.7 miles on I 55. 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.
Yes — we found about 36 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Fairmont City, 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. There are 36 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 29.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 149.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fairmont City, IL before the return drive.
