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Trip from Newell, 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

3h 35m

Distance

151.5 mi

244 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 23m ★
6 AM
3h 35m
8 AM
4h 0m
10 AM
3h 44m
12 PM
3h 42m
3 PM
3h 45m
5 PM
3h 59m
8 PM
3h 28m

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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Downtown Newell, IL, IL

Newell, IL

Franco Monsalvo

suburban city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Evanston, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 151.5-mile drive from Newell, Illinois, to Evanston, Illinois, is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take around 3 hours and 35 minutes. The route primarily utilizes US 41 and SR 63, making up 83% of the journey on highways, so expect a fairly direct and efficient travel experience. With a projected fuel cost of $24, it's an economical option for a quick getaway within the Midwest. You'll be covering a significant portion of the distance on US 41, which will be your longest continuous stretch at 80.6 miles. This drive is well-suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stop.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

75.8 miles from Newell, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 41 80.6 mi 1h 45m
SR 63 16.1 mi 20m
Bishop Ford Freeway 10.7 mi 14m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) 7.9 mi 11m
East Main Street 5.8 mi 8m
North Western Avenue 5.5 mi 11m
Kennedy Expressway 3.7 mi 5m
Calumet Expressway 3.7 mi 5m
Longest stretch: US 41 — 80.6 mi, about 1h 45m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on East Winter Avenue

102 ft · 6 sec · East Winter Avenue
2

Turn right onto North Michigan Avenue

1.0 mi · 3 min · North Michigan Avenue
3

Turn left onto East Voorhees Street

1.4 mi · 2 min · East Voorhees Street
4

Turn straight onto Lynch Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Lynch Road
5

Turn left onto US 136

5.8 mi · 8 min · East Main Street
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 44 sec
7

Merge onto SR 63

16 mi · 20 min · SR 63
8

Continue on US 41

81 mi · 1 hr 45 min · US 41
Use the left lane.
9

Turn left onto US 30

0.1 mi · 23 sec · West Lincoln Highway
Use the left lane.
10

Continue on US 30

2.7 mi · 5 min · Joliet Street
11

Continue on US 30

1.0 mi · 2 min · Lincoln Highway
12

Continue on IL 83

3.1 mi · 5 min · Glenwood Dyer Road
13

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Toward IL 394 North
14

Merge onto IL 394

3.7 mi · 5 min · Calumet Expressway
15

Continue on I 94

7.9 mi · 10 min · Bishop Ford Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94

2.8 mi · 3 min · Bishop Ford Freeway
Toward I 94 West: Chicago Loop Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on I 94

3.3 mi · 4 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94

7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Continue on I 90; I 94

3.7 mi · 5 min · Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 47B Toward Damen Avenue Use the slight right lane.
21

Turn right onto North Damen Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Damen Avenue
Use the right lane.
22

Turn slight left onto North Clybourn Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Clybourn Avenue
23

Turn right onto North Western Avenue

5.5 mi · 11 min · North Western Avenue
24

Continue on Asbury Avenue

1.5 mi · 2 min · Asbury Avenue
25

Turn right onto Dempster Street

213 ft · 9 sec · Dempster Street
26

Turn uturn

213 ft · 17 sec
27

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour and 35-minute duration, this route is comfortably completed in a single day. Leaving in the morning will give you ample time to arrive and settle in, or explore your destination. The longest stretch without a significant change in road is 80.6 miles on US 41, so plan for a fuel stop before or during this segment if your tank is low. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of $24, this trip is straightforward to plan. Consider an early departure to maximize your time upon arrival.

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 75.8 miles from Newell, IL, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.6 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 33 miles or 47m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 75.8 miles or 1h 43m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 51m

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 Newell, 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 Newell, IL

This is one driving day of about 151.5 miles and 3h 35m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Newell, 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 US 41 for about 80.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Chicago Heights, IL

76 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

Hoopeston, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lansing, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 75.8 miles from Newell, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 41 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.6 miles.

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 · home stretch

Diego Chicago Restaurant | Dinner, Late Night, Weekend Brunch

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Chicago, Illinois

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 15min to go 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Hours: 4 pm–12 am

+13122918449

Visit website

Sushi by Scratch Restaurants: Chicago

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Chicago, Illinois

0.7 mi

Coco Pazzo Restaurant & Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Chicago, Illinois

1.1 mi

Diego Chicago Restaurant | Dinner, Late Night, Weekend Brunch

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 4 pm–12 am

+13122918449

Visit website

Sushi by Scratch Restaurants: Chicago

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $100 or ab

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 5–9:30 pm

+18728700200

Visit website

Coco Pazzo Restaurant & Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $50 to $10

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 5–9 pm

+13128360900

Visit website

India House Restaurant Chicago

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–2:30 pm

+13126459500

Visit website

Arturo Express Restaurant and Catering

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+13124749289

Visit website

Sizzlin Restaurants - Sizzlin Skillets

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17736512433

Visit website

Bereket Turkish Mediterranean restaurant (Halal Certified)

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+13125003663

Visit website

Subway

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour Inexpensiv

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+13123210900

Visit website

Bombastic Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Nube's Ice Cream & Coffee Shop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour Inexpensiv

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+17733580857

PD Coffee Shop

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Chicago, Illinois

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.6 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.7 mi from route

Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis

0.9 mi from route

ONE9 Travel Center

1.3 mi from route

Spring Creek Welcome Center

1.3 mi from route

Service Plaza

1.5 mi from route

Service Plaza

1.6 mi from route

Service Plaza

1.9 mi from route

International Museum of Surgical Science, A Division of the International College of Surgeons

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 9:30 am–5 pm

+13126426502

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 125.2 and 151.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
125.2 mi into trip | ~2h 52m in | I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway toward I 94 West: Chicago Loop

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 94 West: Chicago Loop
8
131.3 mi into trip | ~3h 1m in | I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Roa...
7
142.9 mi into trip | ~3h 18m in

Take the exit toward Damen Avenue

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 47B Toward Damen Avenue
5
143 mi into trip | ~3h 18m in | North Damen Avenue

Turn right onto North Damen Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
151.5 mi into trip | ~3h 35m in

Turn uturn

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.69 one way

$47.37 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 53 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $26.01 $52.01
premium $4.89 $29.15 $58.31
diesel $5.61 $33.45 $66.90

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 53 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 45.4 0 $15.91 $7.27
Efficient EV 37.9 0 $13.26 $6.06
EV Truck/SUV 60.6 0 $21.21 $9.70

Gas CO2

53 kg

EV CO2

18 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 18, 2026

Origin

Newell, IL

Late night in Newell on Tuesday

Local time

3:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Evanston, IL

Late night in Evanston on Tuesday

Local time

3:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

45°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

W 15 mph 57% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 18 at 4:02AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 18 at 3:59AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL

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

7 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

3h 35m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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...

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Free near mile 125.4
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This highway-focused drive, with 83% of the route on expressways, offers a predominantly fast-paced experience. You'll spend a good amount of time on US 41, including an uninterrupted stretch of 80.6 miles, so be prepared for sustained highway driving. While the primary roads are US 41 and SR 63, the Bishop Ford Freeway also plays a role in connecting you to your destination. Expect a steady pace, with the road largely maintaining its highway character throughout the journey.

83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.6 mi on US 41.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 41 and SR 63. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 125.2 miles in near I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 151.5 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 125.2 miles (I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 131.3 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

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 3h 35m. Total distance: 151.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 80.6 miles on US 41. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 9 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 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 125.2 miles (I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 131.3 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.9 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 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Evanston, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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