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Trip from Marseilles, IL to Evanston, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 58m

Distance

89.5 mi

144 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 50m ★
6 AM
1h 59m
8 AM
2h 16m
10 AM
2h 5m
12 PM
2h 3m
3 PM
2h 6m
5 PM
2h 15m
8 PM
1h 54m

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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city in LaSalle County, Illinois, United States

Marseilles, IL

Wikimedia Commons

suburban city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Evanston, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 89.5-mile drive from Marseilles, IL to Evanston, IL takes about 1 hour and 58 minutes, making it a perfect single-day trip. You'll primarily navigate on I-80, I-55, and the Tri-State Tollway, with 63% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost is around $14, and with no recommended stops, this route is designed for efficiency. It's a straightforward Midwest connection, ideal if you're looking for a quick and uncomplicated journey between these two Illinois locations.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

44.8 miles from Marseilles, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 29 mi 31m
I 55 26.6 mi 32m
Tri-State Tollway 16.6 mi 20m
Oakton Street 4 mi 7m
East Touhy Avenue 3 mi 5m
East 24th Road 1.8 mi 3m
West Howard Street 1.7 mi 3m
County Highway 15 1.1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 29 mi, about 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on CH 15

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Rutland Street
2

Continue on CH 15

0.7 mi · 1 min · County Highway 15
3

Continue on CH 15

1.8 mi · 3 min · East 24th Road
4

Continue on CH 15

0.4 mi · 41 sec · County Highway 15
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward I 80 East: Joliet
6

Merge onto I 80

29 mi · 31 min · I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec
Exit 126B Toward I 55 North: Chicago Use the right lane.
8

Merge onto I 55

27 mi · 32 min · I 55
Use the straight / right lanes.
9

Take the exit

1.6 mi · 3 min
Exit 277A Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin Use the right lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
11

Merge onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

12 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Exit 42 A-B Toward Touhy Avenue Use the slight right lane.
14

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 42 A-B Toward Touhy Avenue
15

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Exit 42A Toward Touhy Avenue East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue

3.0 mi · 5 min · East Touhy Avenue
17

Turn left onto IL 43

0.5 mi · 50 sec · North Harlem Avenue
Use the left lane.
18

Turn right onto West Howard Street

1.7 mi · 3 min · West Howard Street
19

Turn left onto New Gross Point Road

0.1 mi · 10 sec · New Gross Point Road
20

Continue on Gross Point Road

0.5 mi · 54 sec · Gross Point Road
21

Turn right onto Oakton Street

4.0 mi · 7 min · Oakton Street
22

Turn left onto Asbury Avenue

1.0 mi · 1 min · Asbury Avenue
Use the left lane.
23

Turn right onto Dempster Street

213 ft · 9 sec · Dempster Street
24

Turn uturn

213 ft · 17 sec
25

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the short duration of under two hours, this drive offers plenty of flexibility for departure times. You can easily tackle this trip in one day without needing an overnight stop. While no specific stops are recommended, plan for a brief break if needed, especially during the 29-mile stretch on I-80. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $14, and be aware of potential toll charges on the Tri-State Tollway as you get closer to Evanston.

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 44.8 miles from Marseilles, IL, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29 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 20 miles or 23m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 44.8 miles or 52m 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 33m

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 Marseilles, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Marseilles, IL

This is one driving day of about 89.5 miles and 1h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Marseilles, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 29 miles.

Where to Stop

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

village in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lombard, IL

45 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

Minooka, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Romeoville, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 44.8 miles from Marseilles, 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · final third

Falco's Pizza

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third · 42min to go 1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16306544644

Visit website

Capri Ristorante

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Burr Ridge, Illinois

1.2 mi

LongHorn Steakhouse

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Bolingbrook, Illinois

1.4 mi

Falco's Pizza

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third 1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16306544644

Visit website

Capri Ristorante

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+16304554003

Visit website

LongHorn Steakhouse

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Bolingbrook, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16307830684

Visit website

Chuck's Southern Comforts Cafe & Banquets

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

Darien, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13314314000

Visit website

Ditka's Oakbrook

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour Expensive

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16305722200

Visit website

Saffron Restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Westmont, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12246314275

Visit website

J. Alexander's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour Expensive

Oak Brook, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+16305738180

Visit website

El Barrio Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Romeoville, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+18153721100

Visit website

PD Coffee Shop

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Chicago, Illinois

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Willowbrook, Illinois

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 32.3 and 89.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
32.3 mi into trip | ~36m in

Take the exit toward I 55 North: Chicago

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

Use the right lane. Exit 126B Toward I 55 North: Chicago
7
59.2 mi into trip | ~1h 10m 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
77.7 mi into trip | ~1h 35m 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
78.3 mi into trip | ~1h 37m 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
89.5 mi into trip | ~1h 58m in

Turn uturn

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.99 one way

$27.98 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 31 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $15.36 $30.73
premium $4.89 $17.22 $34.45
diesel $5.61 $19.76 $39.52

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

$14

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 31.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 26.8 0 $9.40 $4.30
Efficient EV 22.4 0 $7.83 $3.58
EV Truck/SUV 35.8 0 $12.53 $5.73

Gas CO2

31 kg

EV CO2

10 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.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Marseilles, IL

Morning in Marseilles on Tuesday

Local time

7:14 AM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Evanston, IL

Morning in Evanston on Tuesday

Local time

7:14 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

5 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

1h 58m 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

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...

10 mi from route ~26 min detour Free near mile 74.1
View on nps.gov

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 trip, with 63% of your travel time spent on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 29 miles on I-80. While the profile suggests a predominantly highway experience, be prepared for the potential of some local road transitions as you approach your destination in Evanston. This route prioritizes speed and directness over scenic detours.

63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29 mi on I 80.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 55. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 32.3 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 89.5 miles you will encounter 18 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 32.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.7 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.

On the drive from Marseilles, IL to Evanston, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Touhy Avenue East along the way.

Touhy Avenue East

78.3 mi in | ~1h 37m

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 1h 58m. Total distance: 89.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (63%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 29 miles on I 80. 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.

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 32.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.7 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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