Origin
Hinckley, IL
Afternoon in Hinckley on Sunday
Local time
12:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hinckley, 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
1h 31m
Distance
62.8 mi
101 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 24m
★
6 AM
1h 31m
8 AM
1h 45m
10 AM
1h 36m
12 PM
1h 35m
3 PM
1h 37m
5 PM
1h 44m
8 PM
1h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hinckley, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Evanston, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Hinckley to Evanston is 62.8 miles and takes about 1 hour 31 minutes via IL 56 and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $10 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a mixed drive that balances highway speeds with some local road travel. It's a straightforward, single-day journey perfect for a quick transit between these two points. Consider this route if you need an efficient way to get from the Hinckley area to the suburbs north of Chicago.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
31.4 miles from Hinckley, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 42m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| IL 56 | 25.3 mi | 31m |
| East Lincoln Avenue | 10.2 mi | 15m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 9.9 mi | 13m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| Oakton Street | 4 mi | 7m |
| East Touhy Avenue | 3 mi | 5m |
| West Howard Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Asbury Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
IL 56
— 25.3 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hinckley, IL and Evanston, IL.
1
Start on South Sycamore Street
41 ft
·
4 sec
·
South Sycamore Street
2
Turn right onto US 30
10 mi
·
15 min
·
East Lincoln Avenue
3
Continue on IL 56
25 mi
·
31 min
·
IL 56
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 139
Toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
7
Merge onto I 294
9.9 mi
·
13 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 42A
Toward Touhy Avenue East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
East Touhy Avenue
12
Turn left onto IL 43
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
North Harlem Avenue
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto West Howard Street
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
West Howard Street
14
Turn left onto New Gross Point Road
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
New Gross Point Road
15
Continue on Gross Point Road
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
Gross Point Road
16
Turn right onto Oakton Street
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Oakton Street
17
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Asbury Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto Dempster Street
213 ft
·
9 sec
·
Dempster Street
19
Turn uturn
213 ft
·
17 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 31 minutes, this trip is easily completed in a single day. Leaving Hinckley in the morning or mid-afternoon should allow you to avoid the worst of Chicago-area traffic. While there are no mandatory stops suggested, you might consider a brief pause around the halfway point if needed, though the drive is quite manageable without one. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the tollway; the estimated $10 fuel cost is a good indicator of budget, but it's always wise to have a buffer. A specific tip for this route is to have your toll payment method ready before merging onto the Tri-State Tollway, as tolls can add up.
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 31.4 miles from Hinckley, IL, or about 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.3 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 14 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 31.4 miles or 42m 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 13m
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 Hinckley, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hinckley, IL
This is one driving day of about 62.8 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Hinckley, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on IL 56 for about 25.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 31.4 miles from Hinckley, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 35.5 and 62.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
35.5 mi into trip
|
~47m in
|
I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
40.2 mi into trip
|
~53m in
Take the exit toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 139
Toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rock...
7
51 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m 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
51.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m 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
62.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
Turn uturn
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.82 one way
$19.64 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $10.78 | $21.56 |
| premium | $4.89 | $12.09 | $24.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.87 | $27.73 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.88
Tri-state Tollway
(9.9 mi)
$0.60
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(4.7 mi)
$0.28
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
$10
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.59 | $3.01 |
| Efficient EV | 15.7 | 0 | $5.49 | $2.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.1 | 0 | $8.79 | $4.02 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 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
Evanston, IL
Afternoon in Evanston on Sunday
Local time
12:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°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
17 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
1h 31m 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
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 39
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 route offers a mixed driving experience, with about 40% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches on IL 56, including one continuous segment of 25.3 miles. As you progress, the character shifts from more rural or suburban roads onto the faster-paced Tri-State Tollway. This transition means you'll experience both moderate speeds on state routes and higher speeds on the tollway. Overall, it’s a blend that keeps the drive from becoming monotonous, offering varied road conditions.
40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 25.3 mi on IL 56.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 35.5 miles in near I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 62.8 miles you will encounter 15 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 35.5 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51 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.
Between Hinckley, IL and Evanston, IL, road signs point toward Rockford, Milwaukee and Touhy Avenue East.
Rockford
40.2 mi in
|
~53m
Milwaukee
40.8 mi in
|
~54m
Touhy Avenue East
51.6 mi in
|
~1h 9m
About the Cities
Starting in Hinckley, IL
Full guide →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 1h 31m. Total distance: 62.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (40%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 25.3 miles on IL 56. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.88 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.
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 35.5 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51 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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