Red Bud, IL to Evanston, IL is 327.7 miles and takes about 6h 29m via I 55 and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a primarily highway experience for most of the drive, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. It’s a practical choice if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without extensive detours.
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
163.8 miles from Red Bud, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
261.9 mi
4h 46m
Tri-State Tollway
16.6 mi
20m
North Illinois Street
9.8 mi
15m
South Main Street
8.3 mi
12m
North Main Street
6.6 mi
9m
State Route 159
6.1 mi
9m
Oakton Street
4 mi
7m
East Touhy Avenue
3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 261.9 mi, about 4h 46m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,633 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,039
Quietest
2 AM
~154 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 52 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 Red Bud, IL and Evanston, IL.
1
Start on IL 3
54 ft·8 sec·West Market Street
2
Turn left onto IL 159
6.4 mi·9 min·North Main Street
3
Continue on IL 159
0.2 mi·13 sec·N Main St
4
Continue on IL 156; IL 159
0.2 mi·19 sec·North Main Street
5
Continue on IL 156; IL 159
6.1 mi·9 min·State Route 159
6
Continue on IL 159
8.3 mi·12 min·South Main Street
7
Enter roundabout onto IL 159
177 ft·4 sec·North Illinois Street
8
Continue on IL 159
9.8 mi·15 min·North Illinois Street
9
Continue on IL 159
1.3 mi·1 min·South Morrison Avenue
10
Continue on IL 159
2.8 mi·4 min·Vandalia Street
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East
12
Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40
3.8 mi·4 min·I 55; I 70; US 40
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
108 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
Take the exit
1.6 mi·3 min
Exit 277AToward I 294 Tollway North: WisconsinUse the right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
18
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
12 mi·15 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy AvenueUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy Avenue
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 42AToward Touhy Avenue EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
3.0 mi·5 min·East Touhy Avenue
24
Turn left onto IL 43
0.5 mi·50 sec·North Harlem Avenue
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto West Howard Street
1.7 mi·3 min·West Howard Street
26
Turn left onto New Gross Point Road
0.1 mi·10 sec·New Gross Point Road
27
Continue on Gross Point Road
0.5 mi·54 sec·Gross Point Road
28
Turn right onto Oakton Street
4.0 mi·7 min·Oakton Street
29
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1.0 mi·1 min·Asbury Avenue
Use the left lane.
30
Turn right onto Dempster Street
213 ft·9 sec·Dempster Street
31
Turn uturn
213 ft·17 sec
32
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour, 29-minute drive, leaving Red Bud in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight. Since it's manageable in one day, you can decide on your stopping pace as you go. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the long 261.9-mile segment on I 55 where services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost is around $58, so budget accordingly. Consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs before the final push into Evanston.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 163.8 miles from Red Bud, IL, or about 3h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 261.9 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 72 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 163.8 miles or 3h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 9m
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 Red Bud, 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 Red Bud, IL
This is one driving day of about 327.7 miles and 6h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Red Bud, 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 261.9 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 147.2 and 316.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
147.2 mi into trip|~2h 55m 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
176.5 mi into trip|~3h 27m 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
297.3 mi into trip|~5h 41m 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
315.8 mi into trip|~6h 6m 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
316.4 mi into trip|~6h 7m 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
$48.39 one way
$96.79 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg115 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$53.43
$106.85
premium
$4.72
$60.84
$121.69
diesel
$4.80
$61.88
$123.75
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
$48
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
98.3
1
$34.41
$15.73
Efficient EV
81.9
0
$28.67
$13.11
EV Truck/SUV
131.1
1
$45.88
$20.97
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Red Bud, IL
Afternoon
in Red Bud on Sunday
Local time
2:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 7 mph38% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
Evanston, IL
Afternoon
in Evanston on Sunday
Local time
2:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Smoke
S 5 mph38% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
67°F
Athens, IL
164 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
1 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
6h 29m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 293.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 82% of this 327.7-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch on I 55 covers 261.9 miles, meaning you'll have a long period of consistent cruising. The route concludes by shifting to surface roads like North Illinois Street as you approach Evanston. Given the highway prevalence, anticipate merging and exiting traffic, especially as you get closer to the Chicago metropolitan area.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 261.9 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 147.2 miles in near I 55.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 327.7 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 147.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 176.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 297.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
824 ft472 ft
Total Climb
580 ft
Total Descent
438 ft
Highest Point
824 ft
~187.2 mi in
Elevation Range
352 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Red Bud, IL and Evanston, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.
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 6h 29m. Total distance: 327.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 29m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 261.9 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 35 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 35 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 147.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 176.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 297.3 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Evanston, IL before the return drive.
