This 214.2-mile drive from Leland Grove to Evanston, Illinois, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 19 minutes. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, with the Tri-State Tollway being a key part of the journey. Given the efficiency of this route, it's a straightforward trip without the need for an overnight stop. Budget around $33 for fuel, and anticipate a relatively smooth ride through the Midwest. This drive focuses on covering distance effectively, making it ideal for those who prioritize getting to their destination efficiently.
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
107.1 miles from Leland Grove, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
150.2 mi
2h 45m
I 55 Business
21.4 mi
23m
Tri-State Tollway
16.6 mi
20m
North Peoria Road
5.3 mi
8m
Oakton Street
4 mi
7m
Veterans Parkway
3.2 mi
4m
East Touhy Avenue
3 mi
5m
West Howard Street
1.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 150.2 mi, about 2h 45m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,177 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,557
Quietest
2 AM
~148 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 43 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leland Grove, IL and Evanston, IL.
1
Start on Cherry Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Cherry Road
2
Turn right onto Chatham Road
1.7 mi·3 min·Chatham Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on North Bruns Lane
1.6 mi·3 min·North Bruns Lane
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·16 sec
5
Merge onto IL 4
3.2 mi·4 min·Veterans Parkway
Use the right lane.
6
Continue on I 55 Business
5.3 mi·8 min·North Peoria Road
Use the left lane.
7
Take the exit onto I 55 Business
21 mi·23 min·I 55 Business
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
121 mi·2 hr 14 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.6 mi·3 min
Exit 277AToward I 294 Tollway North: WisconsinUse the right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
12
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
12 mi·15 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy AvenueUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy Avenue
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 42AToward Touhy Avenue EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
3.0 mi·5 min·East Touhy Avenue
18
Turn left onto IL 43
0.5 mi·50 sec·North Harlem Avenue
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto West Howard Street
1.7 mi·3 min·West Howard Street
20
Turn left onto New Gross Point Road
0.1 mi·10 sec·New Gross Point Road
21
Continue on Gross Point Road
0.5 mi·54 sec·Gross Point Road
22
Turn right onto Oakton Street
4.0 mi·7 min·Oakton Street
23
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1.0 mi·1 min·Asbury Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto Dempster Street
213 ft·9 sec·Dempster Street
25
Turn uturn
213 ft·17 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour, 19-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to bypass potential traffic, especially as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a clear exit point is 150.2 miles on I 55. Planning your single stop around the halfway mark or slightly further will help break up the journey comfortably. Given the highway-centric nature, ensure your vehicle is in good condition for sustained travel.
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 107.1 miles from Leland Grove, IL, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 150.2 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 47 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.1 miles or 2h 5m 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 22m
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 Leland Grove, 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 Leland Grove, IL
This is one driving day of about 214.2 miles and 4h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Leland Grove, 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 I 55 for about 150.2 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 33.7 and 203 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
33.7 mi into trip|~45m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
63.1 mi into trip|~1h 16m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7
183.9 mi into trip|~3h 31m 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
7
202.3 mi into trip|~3h 56m 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
203 mi into trip|~3h 57m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.63 one way
$63.26 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$34.92
$69.84
premium
$4.72
$39.77
$79.54
diesel
$4.80
$40.45
$80.89
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
$32
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.3
0
$22.49
$10.28
Efficient EV
53.6
0
$18.74
$8.57
EV Truck/SUV
85.7
1
$29.99
$13.71
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Leland Grove, IL
Late night
in Leland Grove on Monday
Local time
4:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
NNW 2 to 8 mph59% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:26PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:04PM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Evanston, IL
Late night
in Evanston on Monday
Local time
4:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Areas Of Smoke
NNE 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:26PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:04PM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
85°F
Bloomington, IL
107 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
12 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
4h 19m 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.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
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 184.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for this trip, with 82% of the drive taking place on interstates and tollways. The majority of your travel will be on I 55, where you'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 150.2 miles. This route is primarily about covering ground, so while it offers efficiency, it leans towards a more straightforward driving profile. You'll primarily be navigating well-maintained highways designed for consistent speed and direct travel between your origin and destination.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 150.2 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 55 Business. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 33.7 miles in near I 55.
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 19 significant decision points across 214.2 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 33.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 183.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
800 ft509 ft
Total Climb
424 ft
Total Descent
410 ft
Highest Point
800 ft
~76.5 mi in
Elevation Range
291 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Leland Grove, IL and Evanston, IL, road signs point toward Peoria 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 19m. Total distance: 214.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 150.2 miles on I 55. 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.
Yes — we found about 26 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 33.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 183.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Evanston, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
