This 210.2-mile drive from Knox, IL to Evanston, IL is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 9 minutes. The majority of your journey, about 86% of it, will be on the highway, primarily utilizing IL 110 and I-74 before merging onto the Tri-State Tollway. With a projected fuel cost of around $33, this is a budget-friendly trip within the Midwest region. You'll experience a highway-focused drive, making it a straightforward option for a day trip without the need for an overnight stay.
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
105.1 miles from Knox, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
IL 110
135 mi
2h 28m
I 74
39.3 mi
42m
Tri-State Tollway
9.9 mi
13m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
6.3 mi
6m
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
Longest stretch:
IL 110
— 135 mi, about 2h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knox, IL and Evanston, IL.
1
Start on Knox Station Road
148 ft·10 sec·Knox Station Road
2
Turn left onto Mine Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Mine Road
3
Turn right onto Knox Road 1020 E
1.4 mi·5 min·Knox Road 1020 E
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward I 74 West: Galesburg
5
Merge onto I 74
39 mi·42 min·I 74
6
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 110
6.3 mi·6 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Toward I 80 West: Des Moines
7
Take the exit onto IL 110
135 mi·2 hr 28 min·IL 110
Exit 4BToward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 139Toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, RockfordUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
11
Merge onto I 294
9.9 mi·13 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy AvenueUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy Avenue
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 42AToward Touhy Avenue EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
3.0 mi·5 min·East Touhy Avenue
16
Turn left onto IL 43
0.5 mi·50 sec·North Harlem Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto West Howard Street
1.7 mi·3 min·West Howard Street
18
Turn left onto New Gross Point Road
0.1 mi·10 sec·New Gross Point Road
19
Continue on Gross Point Road
0.5 mi·54 sec·Gross Point Road
20
Turn right onto Oakton Street
4.0 mi·7 min·Oakton Street
21
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1.0 mi·1 min·Asbury Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto Dempster Street
213 ft·9 sec·Dempster Street
23
Turn uturn
213 ft·17 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 4-hour and 9-minute duration, this trip from Knox to Evanston is ideal as a single-day excursion. Leaving early in the morning will allow you to avoid potential rush hour traffic, especially as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area on the Tri-State Tollway. Plan for one stop around the halfway point, perhaps after covering the 135-mile stretch on IL 110, to refuel and stretch your legs. The estimated fuel cost of $33 makes this an economical choice, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer highway segments.
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 105.1 miles from Knox, IL, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135 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 46 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.1 miles or 2h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 14m
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 Knox, 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 Knox, IL
This is one driving day of about 210.2 miles and 4h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Knox, 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 IL 110 for about 135 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 47.9 and 210.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
47.9 mi into trip|~57m in|IL 110
Take the exit onto IL 110 toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
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 4B
Toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Fa...
8
187.6 mi into trip|~3h 31m 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
198.4 mi into trip|~3h 46m 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
199 mi into trip|~3h 47m 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
210.2 mi into trip|~4h 9m in
Turn uturn
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.86 one way
$65.72 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$36.08
$72.16
premium
$4.89
$40.45
$80.90
diesel
$5.61
$46.41
$92.82
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
$33
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.1
0
$22.07
$10.09
Efficient EV
52.6
0
$18.39
$8.41
EV Truck/SUV
84.1
1
$29.43
$13.45
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Knox, IL
Afternoon
in Knox on Sunday
Local time
12:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Evanston, IL
Afternoon
in Evanston on Sunday
Local time
12:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
Aurora, IL
105 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
6 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
4h 9m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 188.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this 210.2-mile route, with 86% of the mileage on interstates and tollways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 135 miles on IL 110, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the journey. While the initial segments on IL 110 and I-74 provide a classic highway driving experience, the transition to the Tri-State Tollway will introduce more traffic and potentially more frequent exits. This route is designed for efficiency rather than scenic detours, keeping you moving steadily towards your destination.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 135 mi on IL 110.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on IL 110 and I 74. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 47.9 miles in near IL 110.
Driving Effort9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 210.2 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 47.9 miles (IL 110): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 187.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198.4 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.
Between Knox, IL and Evanston, IL, road signs point toward Rock Falls, Rockford, Milwaukee and Touhy Avenue East.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 9m. Total distance: 210.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 135 miles on IL 110. 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.
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 47.9 miles (IL 110): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 187.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198.4 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Evanston, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
