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Road Genius makes it easy to find great rental car offers in Evanston, IL. Compare rates and make reservations in one place. Simple. See real-time prices from Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget and more at downtown Evanston spots or nearby O'Hare and Midway airports, then filter by vehicle class, mileage policy and free cancellation to find a car that fits your trip.
| Location | Advantages | Considerations |
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| Downtown Evanston |
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| Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD) |
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| Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) |
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| Suburban Locations (Skokie, Wilmette) |
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Major rental providers in the area include Enterprise, Hertz, Avis and Budget. Evanston city locations operate standard business hours, while airport locations are available 24/7.
Public transit connections: Before deciding on a rental, note that Evanston is served by CTA Purple Line trains and Metra commuter rail, both connecting to downtown Chicago. For visitors staying mainly in Evanston and making occasional trips to Chicago, public transit may be more convenient than a car.
On average, car rentals in Evanston cost around $75 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $25 per day.
Compare pick-up spots: Evanston or nearby Skokie/Wilmette branches usually beat O'Hare on price because you skip airport taxes. Balance that saving against the $2.50 CTA fare or rideshare to get there.
Watch the Northwestern calendar: Graduation, Homecoming and big game weekends send rates soaring. Book earlier for those dates; on normal weeks you can often score last-minute deals.
Shift your schedule: Many local outlets run "weekend specials" that start Thursday afternoon and end Monday morning. If your trip fits those days, you'll often pay less than a mid-week rental.
Skip the toll gizmo if you're staying around Evanston and the North Shore. Just use Illinois' free Pay-By-Plate within 14 days and avoid the daily gadget fee.
Downtown Evanston: Mix of metered street spots, public garages and time-limited free zones. Most meters enforce payment Monday-Saturday 8 AM-9 PM.
Northwestern campus: Visitor spots are available in designated lots and garages. Strict enforcement of regulations on campus.
Residential areas: Many residential streets require permits for street access. Watch for signs indicating "Resident Permit Only" or time restrictions.
Local driving rules:
Speed limits:
Rent a car to easily:
North Shore suburbs – Wilmette, Winnetka, Highland Park
Chicago Botanic Garden – Glencoe
Ravinia Festival grounds – concerts, picnic lawns
Indiana Dunes National Park – Lake Michigan beaches, dunes
Milwaukee – breweries, lakefront
Sheridan Road lakefront – Lake Michigan drive, mansions
Do I need a car in Evanston if I'm just visiting Northwestern University?
Probably not. You'll find Northwestern's campus is small and easy to walk around. In downtown Evanston, you can walk to many restaurants, shops and other attractions. You can also easily get to Chicago using public transportation like the CTA Purple Line and Metra. You should only think about renting a car for certain day trips out of the area.
How difficult is parking in Evanston?
In downtown Evanston, you can find plenty of parking in public garages and at metered spaces, but it can get busy. Neighborhoods outside of downtown have more restrictions and many streets require a resident permit to park. You should always check the street signs for the local parking rules. Northwestern University lets visitors park in special lots and garages for a fee.
What's the best route to drive to downtown Chicago from Evanston?
If you want a nice view, you can take Sheridan Road south to Lake Shore Drive. To get there faster, depending on traffic, you can use Ridge Avenue to Peterson Avenue to get on I-94 (the Edens/Kennedy Expressways). During rush hour, you might find that taking public transportation is faster than driving.
Are there any low-emission zones or congestion charges in the Chicago area?
No, the Chicago area does not currently have any low-emission zones or congestion charges. However, you should know that parking in downtown Chicago is expensive. Garages often charge about $20–40 per day. When you visit Chicago, you can look into park-and-ride lots and take public transit into the city.
How do winter conditions affect driving in Evanston?
Snow can make driving harder from November through March. The city usually plows main roads quickly, but side streets can stay snow-covered for longer. Lake-effect snow can cause heavy snowfall in some spots. During a snow emergency, the city might ban overnight parking. You should consider getting an AWD vehicle if you're visiting in the winter.
Can I easily take day trips from Evanston?
Yes. From Evanston, you can easily explore the whole Chicago area. You can visit popular spots like Milwaukee (about 1.5 hours away), Indiana Dunes National Park (around 1 hour away), Chicago Botanic Garden (about 15 minutes away) and different North Shore towns along Lake Michigan. Door County, Wisconsin is a longer trip but you can still do it in a day. It takes about 3.5 hours to get there.
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