Origin
Evanston, IL
Late night in Evanston on Sunday
Local time
1:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Evanston, IL to Rochelle, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 52m
Distance
87.4 mi
141 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
14 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 44m
★
6 AM
1h 53m
8 AM
2h 9m
10 AM
1h 58m
12 PM
1h 57m
3 PM
1h 59m
5 PM
2h 8m
8 PM
1h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Evanston, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Rochelle, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Evanston, IL to Rochelle, IL is 87.4 miles and takes about 1h 52m via Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, traversing Illinois entirely. You'll primarily be on toll roads, which generally offer a more direct and predictable travel experience. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this route is well-suited for a same-day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.7 miles from Evanston, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway | 63.2 mi | 1h 11m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 10.5 mi | 14m |
| West Touhy Avenue | 4 mi | 7m |
| Oakton Street | 4 mi | 7m |
| IL 251 | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Asbury Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
| West Gross Point Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Gross Point Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
— 63.2 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Evanston, IL and Rochelle, 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
8.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto I 294
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
Use the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
Use the slight right lane.
17
Continue on I 294
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
Tri-State Tollway
Exit 15A
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 31A
Toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
0.8 mi
·
59 sec
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110
25 mi
·
30 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 138
Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
Use the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110
37 mi
·
40 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Toward I 88 Toll West, IL 47: DeKalb
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 76
Toward IL 251: Rochelle, Mendota
23
Turn right onto IL 251
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
IL 251
24
Arrive at destination
IL 38; IL 251
Trip Plan
For this 1h 52m drive, consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the peak rush hour around Evanston. With only 87.4 miles, you won't need to plan for extensive stops, but keep in mind the longest stretch on the tollway is 63.2 miles. It's a good idea to fuel up before you depart as dedicated rest areas might be spaced out. The overall fuel cost is estimated at $13, so monitor your gauge. Since this is a short, same-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart and arrive at your convenience.
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 43.7 miles from Evanston, IL, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.2 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 19 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.7 miles or 1h 4m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rochelle, 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 87.4 miles and 1h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Evanston, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for about 63.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
44 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 43.7 miles from Evanston, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 20.2 and 48.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
20.2 mi into trip
|
~34m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Take the exit onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
8
21.2 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
8
21.8 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 31A
Toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora
8
23.1 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 138
Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
8
48.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
|
I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward I 88 Toll West, IL 47: DeKalb
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 88 Toll West, IL 47: DeKalb
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.33 one way
$26.67 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.27 | $14.69 | $29.37 |
| premium | $4.81 | $16.54 | $33.07 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $18.59 | $37.18 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.42
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(63.2 mi)
$3.79
Tri-state Tollway
(10.5 mi)
$0.63
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
$13
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
EV Charging Along Route
14 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Village Crossing - Tesla Supercharger
Skokie, IL
Tesla
20 DCFC
1800 Maple Self Park Garage - Tesla Supercharger
Evanston, IL
Tesla
12 DCFC
Abt Electronics - Tesla Supercharger
Glenview, IL
Tesla
10 DCFC
Westfield Old Orchard (Skokie, IL)
Skokie, IL
Electrify America
6 DCFC
Golf Mill Ford
Niles, IL
EVXY
6 DCFC
Whole Foods Sauganash (CIC)
Chicago, IL
eVgo Network
4 DCFC
Crosby's Kitchen Niles (GFCS LLC)
Niles, IL
IN_CHARGE
4 DCFC
Golf Mill Chevrolet
Niles, IL
EVXY
4 DCFC
Tesla: 3
Electrify America: 2
eVgo Network: 2
EVXY: 2
EV Connect: 1
Non-Networked: 1
ChargePoint Network: 1
IN_CHARGE: 1
Blink Network: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.2 | 0 | $9.18 | $4.20 |
| Efficient EV | 21.9 | 0 | $7.65 | $3.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35 | 0 | $12.24 | $5.59 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Rochelle, IL
Late night in Rochelle on Sunday
Local time
1:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
58°F
Elmhurst, IL
44 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
14 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 52m 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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 24.1
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly surface roads, with 38% of the total mileage on highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 63.2 miles on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a mix of controlled-access highway cruising and navigating local streets as you approach your destination. The route features a moderate number of exits and intersections, typical for travel between suburban and exurban areas.
Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.2 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 around 20.2 miles in near I 294 / Tri-State Tollway.
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 87.4 miles you will encounter 18 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: at 20.2 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.2 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Rochelle, IL, road signs point toward Indiana and 22Nd Street (Cermak Road).
Indiana
20.2 mi in
|
~34m
|
via I 294
22Nd Street (Cermak Road)
23.1 mi in
|
~39m
|
via I 88; IL 110
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
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 52m. Total distance: 87.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.2 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.42 in tolls one way, starting with Reagan 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.
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 Rochelle, 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: at 20.2 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.2 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Rochelle, 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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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