Origin
Melrose Park, IL
Late night in Melrose Park on Sunday
Local time
2:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Melrose Park, 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
35m
Distance
18.2 mi
29 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 32m
★
6 AM
0h 35m
8 AM
0h 41m
10 AM
0h 37m
12 PM
0h 37m
3 PM
0h 37m
5 PM
0h 41m
8 PM
0h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Melrose Park, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Evanston, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 18.2-mile drive from Melrose Park, IL, to Evanston, IL, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 35 minutes to complete. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $3, it's an economical journey. The route primarily utilizes local roads, with a short 15% share of highway driving, making it feel more like navigating familiar neighborhoods than a long-haul trip. There are no designated stops recommended, suggesting you can make good time. This Midwestern jaunt is perfect for a quick excursion, allowing for plenty of flexibility in your schedule.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Forest Preserve Drive | 3.1 mi | 6m |
| West Howard Street | 3 mi | 5m |
| Edens Expressway | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| North 25th Avenue | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| West Montrose Avenue | 2.4 mi | 5m |
| Asbury Avenue | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| West Belmont Avenue | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| North Cicero Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
West Forest Preserve Drive
— 3.1 mi, about 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Melrose Park, IL and Evanston, IL.
1
Start on Division Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Division Street
2
Turn right onto North 25th Avenue
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
North 25th Avenue
3
Turn right onto West Belmont Avenue
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
West Belmont Avenue
4
Turn left onto West Forest Preserve Drive
3.1 mi
·
6 min
·
West Forest Preserve Drive
Use the left lane.
5
Turn slight right onto West Montrose Avenue
2.4 mi
·
5 min
·
West Montrose Avenue
6
Turn left onto IL 50
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
North Cicero Avenue
Use the left lane.
7
Turn right onto West Wilson Avenue
449 ft
·
23 sec
·
West Wilson Avenue
Use the right lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 94 West
9
Merge onto I 94
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Edens Expressway
Toward I 94 West: Milwaukee
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 39B
Toward Touhy Avenue East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
At end of road, turn left onto IL 50
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
North Cicero Avenue
12
Continue on IL 50
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Skokie Boulevard
13
Turn right onto West Howard Street
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
West Howard Street
14
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Asbury Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto Dempster Street
213 ft
·
9 sec
·
Dempster Street
16
Turn uturn
213 ft
·
17 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 9.4 and 18.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
9.4 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
IL 50 / North Cicero Avenue
Turn left onto IL 50 / North Cicero Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
9.7 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
West Wilson Avenue
Turn right onto West Wilson Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
9.8 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Take the ramp toward I 94 West
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward I 94 West
7
12.8 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Take the exit toward Touhy Avenue East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 39B
Toward Touhy Avenue East
7
18.2 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Turn uturn
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.85 one way
$5.69 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $3.12 | $6.25 |
| premium | $4.89 | $3.50 | $7.00 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.02 | $8.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.5 | 0 | $1.91 | $0.87 |
| Efficient EV | 4.6 | 0 | $1.59 | $0.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.3 | 0 | $2.55 | $1.16 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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.
Destination
Evanston, IL
Late night in Evanston on Sunday
Local time
2:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
4 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
35m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for most of this 18.2-mile trip between Melrose Park and Evanston. While about 15% of the route incorporates highway driving, including the Edens Expressway, the majority unfolds on city streets and local thoroughfares like West Forest Preserve Drive and West Howard Street. The longest continuous stretch without significant turns or intersections is 3.1 miles on West Forest Preserve Drive. This means you'll be engaging with the road frequently, making it a driving experience that requires constant attention rather than a passive cruise.
Only 15% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 3.1 mi on West Forest Preserve Drive.
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 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 9.4 miles in near IL 50 / North Cicero Avenue.
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 18.2 miles you will encounter 13 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 9.4 miles (IL 50 / North Cicero Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.7 miles (West Wilson Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.8 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch.
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.
On the drive from Melrose Park, IL to Evanston, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Touhy Avenue East along the way.
Touhy Avenue East
12.8 mi in
|
~24m
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 35m. Total distance: 18.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 3.1 miles on West Forest Preserve Drive. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 9.4 miles (IL 50 / North Cicero Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.7 miles (West Wilson Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.8 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch.
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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