Trip from Evanston, IL to Millstadt, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 8m

Distance

315.4 mi

508 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$58

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

5h 56m ★

6 AM

6h 8m

8 AM

6h 34m

10 AM

6h 17m

12 PM

6h 15m

3 PM

6h 19m

5 PM

6h 33m

8 PM

6h 1m

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

village in St. Clair County, Illinois, near St. Louis, United States

Millstadt, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Evanston, IL to Millstadt, IL is 315.4 miles and takes about 6h 8m via I 55, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region. It's a largely straightforward drive, perfect for a single-day trip if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. Expect a consistent pace for most of the trip, making it a practical option for getting from point A to point B.

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

157.7 miles from Evanston, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 9m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 55	146.8 mi	2h 38m
Adlai Stevenson Expressway	119.4 mi	2h 13m
Tri-State Tollway	17.5 mi	22m
I 255	7.4 mi	8m
Millstadt Road	7 mi	12m
West Touhy Avenue	4 mi	7m
Oakton Street	4 mi	7m
New Missouri Avenue	1.2 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 55 — 146.8 mi, about 2h 38m

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

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 Millstadt, IL.

Start on this road

197 ft · 21 sec · this road

At end of road, turn left

139 ft · 15 sec

At end of road, turn left onto Dempster Street

213 ft · 14 sec · Dempster Street

Turn left onto Asbury Avenue

1.0 mi · 1 min · Asbury Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Oakton Street

4.0 mi · 7 min · Oakton Street

Turn slight left onto Gross Point Road

0.5 mi · 52 sec · Gross Point Road

Turn straight onto New Gross Point Road

0.1 mi · 14 sec · New Gross Point Road

Turn right onto Howard Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Howard Street

Turn left onto North Lehigh Avenue

120 ft · 2 sec · North Lehigh Avenue

Turn right onto West Gross Point Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · West Gross Point Road

Turn slight right onto West Touhy Avenue

4.0 mi · 7 min · West Touhy Avenue

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto South Des Plaines River Road

184 ft · 3 sec · South Des Plaines River Road

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 55 sec

Toward I 294 South: Indiana

Merge onto I 294

11 mi · 14 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 23 Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec

Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 55

119 mi · 2 hr 13 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

65 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 55

Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

82 mi · 1 hr 28 min · I 55

Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Exit 10 Toward I 255: Memphis, Interstate 270

Keep slight left at fork

1.1 mi · 2 min

Toward I 255 South: Memphis

Merge onto I 255

7.4 mi · 8 min · I 255

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Exit 17A Toward IL 15 East: Belleville Use the right lane.

Continue on IL 15

1.2 mi · 1 min · New Missouri Avenue

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Toward IL 157: Cahokia

Keep slight right at fork onto IL 157

0.7 mi · 1 min · South 88th Street

Enter roundabout onto IL 13; IL 157

32 ft · 0 sec · IL 13; IL 157

Continue on IL 13; IL 157

0.4 mi · 45 sec · IL 13; IL 157

Turn left onto IL 157; IL 163

0.4 mi · 43 sec · Old Missouri Avenue

Continue on IL 157; IL 163

499 ft · 13 sec · Camp Jackson Road

Turn left onto IL 163

7.0 mi · 12 min · Millstadt Road

Turn right onto IL 158

34 ft · 0 sec · West Washington Street

Arrive at destination

IL 158

Trip Plan

Given the 6-hour drive time, departing Evanston early in the morning will allow you to arrive in Millstadt with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, plan for a break around the halfway point, especially during the 146.8-mile stretch on I 55. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $50, and it's wise to top off before heading into less populated areas. This route is well-suited for a single-day journey, so you have flexibility with your departure time.

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 157.7 miles from Evanston, IL, or about 3h 9m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.8 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 69 miles or 1h 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 157.7 miles or 3h 9m 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 58m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Millstadt, 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 315.4 miles and 6h 8m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 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 146.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

capital city of Illinois and county seat of Sangamon County

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Springfield, IL

158 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

Naperville, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Springfield, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 157.7 miles from Evanston, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

1.7 mi from route

Rest Area

1.9 mi from route

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 27

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 305 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in

At end of road, turn left

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

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

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

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

305 mi into trip | ~5h 50m in

Take the exit toward IL 15 East: Belleville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Exit 17A Toward IL 15 East: Belleville

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$58.22 one way

$116.45 round trip

$4.69/gal 25.4 MPG avg 110 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.33	$66.13	$132.27
premium	$5.87	$72.90	$145.80
diesel	$6.57	$81.57	$163.14

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

$58

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$84–$109

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 110.4 kg one way.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	94.6	1	$33.12	$15.14
Efficient EV	78.9	0	$27.60	$12.62
EV Truck/SUV	126.2	1	$44.16	$20.19

Gas CO2

110 kg

EV CO2

37 kg (66% 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 18, 2026

Origin

Evanston, IL

Evening in Evanston on Sunday

Local time

5:52 PM

CDT

Current temp

43°F

Clear

SSW 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Millstadt, IL

Evening in Millstadt on Sunday

Local time

5:52 PM

CDT

Current temp

35°F

Patchy Frost

S 3 mph 0% chance Live forecast

79°F

Springfield, IL

158 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

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

6h 8m 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.

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...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 206.6

View on nps.gov

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...

18 mi from route ~45 min detour Free near mile 32.6

View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

You'll be on highways for about 87% of this 315.4-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 146.8 miles on I 55. Once you leave the primary interstate system, expect a change in scenery and pace as you transition to surface roads for the remaining miles. The majority of the drive involves navigating interstate traffic and merging.

87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 146.8 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 Effort 9/10

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 27 significant decision points across 315.4 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

781 ft 550 ft

Total Climb

492 ft

Total Descent

486 ft

Highest Point

781 ft

~135.2 mi in

Elevation Range

231 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 Millstadt, IL, road signs point toward St. Louis and Springfield.

St. Louis

28.9 mi in | ~44m

Springfield

149.3 mi in | ~3h | via I 55

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 Millstadt, 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 6h 8m. Total distance: 315.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 8m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 146.8 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 Millstadt, 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.

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 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Millstadt, IL before the return drive.

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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Evanston, IL to Millstadt, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-55

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Rail Splitter Rest Area - Southbound

Homestead Rest Area - Southbound

Rail Splitter Rest Area - Northbound

Flying J Travel Center

Dixie Trucker's Home

Love's Travel Stop

Coalfield Rest Area

Funks Grove Rest Area

Limestone Rest Area (Southbound)

Limestone Rest Area (Northbound)

Love's Travel Stop

Homestead Rest Area - Northbound

AF Truck Center

TA

Love's Travel Stop

TA

Greater Chicago Truck Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Pilot Travel Center

Road Ranger

Petro Stopping Centers

Love's Travel Stop

Pilot Travel Center

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Road Ranger

Pilot Travel Center

Service Plaza

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

Rest Area

Rest Area

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Evanston, IL

Millstadt, IL

Same local time

8 degrees cooler at arrival

6h 8m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

Pullman National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Evanston, IL

Arriving in Millstadt, IL

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Millstadt, IL

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