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Trip from Guilford, IL to Evanston, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 23m

Distance

154.2 mi

248 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 11m ★
6 AM
3h 24m
8 AM
3h 48m
10 AM
3h 32m
12 PM
3h 30m
3 PM
3h 33m
5 PM
3h 47m
8 PM
3h 16m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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suburban city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Evanston, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Spanning 154.2 miles across the Illinois Midwest, this trip connects Guilford to Evanston in approximately 3 hours and 23 minutes. It functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip, requiring only one stop to keep you refreshed. You should budget roughly $23 for fuel to complete the journey. By utilizing a mix of the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, and West State Road, you move efficiently between these two points. Since the entire route stays within Illinois, you won't face any regional climate shifts, making this a predictable and manageable drive for any weekend traveler.

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

77.1 miles from Guilford, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway 58.7 mi 1h 13m
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway 55.4 mi 59m
West State Road 9.8 mi 11m
North Elizabeth Scales Mound Road 8.1 mi 14m
East Oakton Street 6.1 mi 12m
Oakton Street 5.8 mi 11m
West North Avenue 2.1 mi 3m
West Rawlins Road 1.9 mi 4m
Longest stretch: U.S. Grant Memorial Highway — 58.7 mi, about 1h 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Guilford, IL and Evanston, IL.

1

Start on West Guilford Road

0.4 mi · 56 sec · West Guilford Road
2

Continue on West Rawlins Road

1.9 mi · 4 min · West Rawlins Road
3

At end of road, turn right onto CR 4

8.1 mi · 14 min · North Elizabeth Scales Mound Road
4

At end of road, turn left onto US 20

0.7 mi · 1 min · Madison Street
5

Continue on US 20

0.1 mi · 20 sec · West Diagonal Street
6

Continue on US 20

0.4 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
7

Continue on US 20

4.6 mi · 6 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
8

Continue on US 20

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Woodbine Street
9

Continue on US 20

6.4 mi · 8 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
10

Continue on US 20

2.1 mi · 3 min · West North Avenue
11

Continue on US 20

33 mi · 41 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
12

Continue on US 20

9.8 mi · 11 min · West State Road
13

Continue on US 20

14 mi · 16 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Toward US 20 East: Chicago
14

Continue on I 39; US 51

0.6 mi · 41 sec · I 39; US 51
15

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90 East: Chicago
16

Merge onto I 90

20 mi · 21 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90

36 mi · 38 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 41 sec
Exit 73 Toward Elmhurst Road Use the slight right lane.
19

Keep slight left at fork

288 ft · 9 sec
Toward Elmhurst Road North Use the slight left lane.
20

Turn straight onto South Elmhurst Road

0.4 mi · 42 sec · South Elmhurst Road
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
21

Turn right onto West Oakton Street

0.1 mi · 12 sec · West Oakton Street
Use the right lane.
22

Continue on West Oakton Street

0.9 mi · 1 min · West Oakton Street
23

Continue on East Oakton Street

6.1 mi · 12 min · East Oakton Street
24

Continue on Oakton Street

5.8 mi · 11 min · Oakton Street
Use the left lane.
25

Turn left onto Asbury Avenue

1.0 mi · 1 min · Asbury Avenue
Use the left lane.
26

Turn right onto Dempster Street

213 ft · 9 sec · Dempster Street
27

Turn uturn

213 ft · 17 sec
28

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 3h 23m travel time, consider departing mid-morning to avoid the heaviest local traffic patterns. Since the drive is relatively short, you have the flexibility to choose your single stop based on your personal pace rather than strict time constraints. Keep your fuel budget of $23 in mind, and try to fill up before hitting the tollway sections to avoid higher prices near major junctions. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay vigilant during the transition between the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway and the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, as the change in road type can be abrupt. This approach ensures you remain comfortable and focused throughout the 154.2-mile journey.

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 77.1 miles from Guilford, IL, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.7 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 34 miles or 54m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 77.1 miles or 1h 46m 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 40m

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 Guilford, 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 Guilford, IL

This is one driving day of about 154.2 miles and 3h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Guilford, 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 U.S. Grant Memorial Highway for about 58.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Rockford, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rockford, IL

77 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

Lena, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rockford, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 77.1 miles from Guilford, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Kids Art & Play Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Schaumburg, Illinois

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv mile 132.2

Hours: Closed

+16305231101

Visit website

Kids Art & Play Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv mile 132.2

Schaumburg, Illinois

Hours: Closed

+16305231101

Visit website

PD Coffee Shop

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 154.2

Chicago, Illinois

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 103.7 and 154.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
103.7 mi into trip | ~2h 15m in | I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
139.4 mi into trip | ~2h 54m in

Take the exit toward Elmhurst Road

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 73 Toward Elmhurst Road
7
139.8 mi into trip | ~2h 54m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Elmhurst Road North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward Elmhurst Road North
6
140.2 mi into trip | ~2h 55m in | West Oakton Street

Turn right onto West Oakton Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
154.2 mi into trip | ~3h 23m in

Turn uturn

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.11 one way

$48.21 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 54 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $26.47 $52.94
premium $4.89 $29.67 $59.35
diesel $5.61 $34.05 $68.09

Estimated Tolls: $3.88

Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (55.4 mi) $3.88

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

$24

Tolls

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 54 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 46.3 0 $16.19 $7.40
Efficient EV 38.6 0 $13.49 $6.17
EV Truck/SUV 61.7 0 $21.59 $9.87

Gas CO2

54 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Guilford, IL

Late night in Guilford on Sunday

Local time

2:58 AM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Evanston, IL

Late night in Evanston on Sunday

Local time

2:58 AM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SSW 15 mph 47% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:50AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:39AM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

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

13 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 23m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. While you will encounter a mix of roads, the route is defined by its technical nature rather than high-speed highway travel, as it features 0% highway share by traditional definitions. Your longest single stretch occurs on the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, where you will cover 58.7 miles before needing a transition. The personality of the road shifts as you navigate off the main tollway segments and onto local connectors, requiring you to stay alert through various turns. It is a hands-on driving experience that keeps you engaged with the landscape from start to finish.

Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.7 mi on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 103.7 miles in near I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 154.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 103.7 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.8 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.

On the drive from Guilford, IL to Evanston, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Elmhurst Road North along the way.

Elmhurst Road North

139.8 mi in | ~2h 54m

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 3h 23m. Total distance: 154.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 58.7 miles on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $3.88 in tolls one way, starting with Jane Addams 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.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 103.7 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Evanston, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Return Trip

Evanston, IL to Guilford, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

155.3 mi 3h 28m

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