Evanston, IL to Granite City, IL is 302.8 miles and takes about 5 hours 50 minutes via Dempster Street, Asbury Avenue, and Oakton Street, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving through the Midwest region. Expect a drive primarily on surface roads, which means you'll be navigating local traffic and intersections more than interstate cruising. It’s a straightforward, single-day trip that doesn't require an overnight stop, making it a good option for a quick transit between these two points.
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
151.4 miles from Evanston, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
137.7 mi
2h 28m
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
119.4 mi
2h 13m
Tri-State Tollway
17.5 mi
22m
I 270
9.5 mi
11m
West Touhy Avenue
4 mi
7m
Oakton Street
4 mi
7m
Nameoki Road
3.5 mi
5m
Madison Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 137.7 mi, about 2h 28m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,681 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,233
Quietest
2 AM
~156 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 Granite 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
73 mi·1 hr 18 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi·32 sec
Exit 20BToward I 270 West: Kansas CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 270
9.5 mi·11 min·I 270
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·27 sec
Exit 4Toward IL 203: Granite CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·26 sec
Toward IL 203 South: Granite City
26
Keep slight left at fork
329 ft·11 sec
Toward IL 203 South: Granite City
27
Turn left onto IL 203
3.5 mi·5 min·Nameoki Road
28
Turn right onto Madison Avenue
1.6 mi·2 min·Madison Avenue
29
Turn right onto Niedringhaus Avenue
0.2 mi·36 sec·Niedringhaus Avenue
30
Arrive at destination
Niedringhaus Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day drive of under six hours, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Evanston in the morning should get you to Granite City well before evening. With no major highway stretches, plan for your single stop to be a place where you can easily rejoin your route. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as surface road driving can sometimes consume fuel differently than highway cruising; your estimated $48 budget should cover the 302.8 miles. Be aware that navigating local streets for this entire duration means being mindful of speed limits and potential traffic delays.
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 151.4 miles from Evanston, IL, or about 3h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137.7 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 67 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.4 miles or 3h 2m 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 Granite 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 302.8 miles and 5h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 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 137.7 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 296.9 — 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
287 mi into trip|~5h 28m in
Take the exit toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 20B
Toward I 270 West: Kansas City
7
296.9 mi into trip|~5h 39m in
Take the exit toward IL 203: Granite City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 4
Toward IL 203: Granite City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.51 one way
$101.02 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg106 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$55.11
$110.22
premium
$5.25
$62.62
$125.24
diesel
$6.28
$74.82
$149.64
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
$51
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.9 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
90.8
1
$31.79
$14.53
Efficient EV
75.7
0
$26.50
$12.11
EV Truck/SUV
121.1
1
$42.39
$19.38
Gas CO2
106 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
Evening
in Evanston on Thursday
Local time
6:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Clear
SW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Granite City, IL
Evening
in Granite City on Thursday
Local time
6:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Clear
E 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
7 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 50m 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
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 208.8
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 31.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely surface roads, with a 0% highway share. You'll be covering 302.8 miles, so be prepared for a consistent pace on local streets for the entire duration. Since there's no highway section, you can anticipate frequent traffic signals and intersections throughout the 5-hour-and-50-minute drive. The longest stretch without a significant break in this surface road profile is not specified, but expect a consistent driving experience.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 137.7 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 302.8 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
761 ft421 ft
Total Climb
414 ft
Total Descent
606 ft
Highest Point
761 ft
~151.4 mi in
Elevation Range
340 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 Granite 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 50m. Total distance: 302.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 137.7 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 35 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 Granite 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 35 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 11.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Granite City, IL before the return drive.
