Origin
Fairbury, IL
Late night in Fairbury on Tuesday
Local time
3:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairbury, IL to Evanston, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 44m
Distance
125.8 mi
202 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 34m
★
6 AM
2h 45m
8 AM
3h 6m
10 AM
2h 53m
12 PM
2h 50m
3 PM
2h 54m
5 PM
3h 5m
8 PM
2h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairbury, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Evanston, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 125.8-mile drive from Fairbury, IL, to Evanston, IL, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 44 minutes. You'll primarily be on major roadways, with 61% of the journey featuring highway driving. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $20, making it an economical option. Given its relatively short duration and Midwest to Midwest regional context, it’s a straightforward transit. One stop is recommended along the way, and the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 76.1 miles, so you can settle in for a good portion of the drive.
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
62.9 miles from Fairbury, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Barack Obama Presidential Expressway | 76.1 mi | 1h 26m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 16.6 mi | 20m |
| North 1600 East Road | 7.3 mi | 9m |
| Oakton Street | 4 mi | 7m |
| East Touhy Avenue | 3 mi | 5m |
| East 800 North Road | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| East 3100 North Road | 2 mi | 2m |
| North 1500 East Road | 1.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
— 76.1 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairbury, IL and Evanston, IL.
1
Start on North 2nd Street
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
North 2nd Street
2
Turn right onto US 24; CH 6
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
West Oak Street
3
Continue on US 24
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East 800 North Road
4
Continue on US 24
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East 3100 North Road
5
Turn right onto CR 13
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North 3360 East Road
6
Continue on CH 10
7.3 mi
·
9 min
·
North 1600 East Road
7
Continue on South Manlove Street
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Manlove Street
8
Turn left onto East Torrance Avenue
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
East Torrance Avenue
9
Turn right onto South Mill Street
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
South Mill Street
10
Turn left onto West Reynolds Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Reynolds Street
11
Turn right onto IL 116
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
IL 116
12
Continue on IL 116
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
IL 116
13
Continue on IL 23
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
Old Route 66
14
Turn left onto IL 23
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
West Custer Avenue
15
Continue on North 1500 East Road
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North 1500 East Road
16
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward I 55 North: Joliet
17
Merge onto I 55
76 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
·
Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
1.6 mi
·
3 min
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Use the right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
20
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 42A
Toward Touhy Avenue East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
East Touhy Avenue
26
Turn left onto IL 43
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
North Harlem Avenue
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto West Howard Street
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
West Howard Street
28
Turn left onto New Gross Point Road
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
New Gross Point Road
29
Continue on Gross Point Road
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
Gross Point Road
30
Turn right onto Oakton Street
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Oakton Street
31
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Asbury Avenue
Use the left lane.
32
Turn right onto Dempster Street
213 ft
·
9 sec
·
Dempster Street
33
Turn uturn
213 ft
·
17 sec
34
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a total duration of under 3 hours, this route offers flexibility, making it ideal for a spontaneous day trip. Aim to depart Fairbury in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area. The recommended single stop can be planned strategically, perhaps around the halfway point, to break up the 76.1-mile longest stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $20, and plan your refill accordingly before you get too far into the longer highway segments. A practical tip is to ensure your toll transponder is active, as a significant portion of this drive utilizes tollways.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 62.9 miles from Fairbury, IL, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.1 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 28 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.9 miles or 1h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Evanston, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fairbury, 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 Fairbury, IL
This is one driving day of about 125.8 miles and 2h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Fairbury, 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 Barack Obama Presidential Expressway for about 76.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 62.9 miles from Fairbury, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Barack Obama Presidential Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.1 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 235 decision points cluster between mile 95.5 and 125.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
95.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m in
Take the exit toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
6
102.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
113.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m in
Take the exit toward Touhy Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
8
114.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Touhy Avenue East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 42A
Toward Touhy Avenue East
7
125.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 44m in
Turn uturn
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.67 one way
$39.33 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.59 | $43.19 |
| premium | $4.89 | $24.21 | $48.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.78 | $55.55 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.99
Tri-state Tollway
(16.6 mi)
$0.99
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
$20
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.7 | 0 | $13.21 | $6.04 |
| Efficient EV | 31.5 | 0 | $11.01 | $5.03 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.3 | 0 | $17.61 | $8.05 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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
Evanston, IL
Late night in Evanston on Tuesday
Local time
3:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live 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
2h 44m 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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 95.4
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?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 125.8-mile trip. You'll spend a significant amount of time on the Barack Obama Presidential Expressway and the Tri-State Tollway, which constitute the bulk of the route's highway percentage. The longest continuous stretch is 76.1 miles on the Barack Obama Presidential Expressway, offering a consistent pace. While largely a highway experience, the inclusion of North 1600 East Road suggests a brief transition on local roads, but the overall personality remains that of efficient transit between points.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.1 mi on Barack Obama Presidential Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Barack Obama Presidential Expressway and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 95.5 miles in.
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 23 significant decision points across 125.8 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: at 95.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.2 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Fairbury, IL to Evanston, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Touhy Avenue East along the way.
Touhy Avenue East
114.6 mi in
|
~2h 23m
About the Cities
Arriving 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 2h 44m. Total distance: 125.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76.1 miles on Barack Obama Presidential Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.99 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.
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 Evanston, 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: at 95.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.2 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Evanston, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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