Albers, IL to Markham, IL is 273.6 miles and takes about 5h 7m via I 57 and US 50, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically crossing Illinois. It's a straightforward drive, primarily on major highways, making it a practical choice for a single-day journey. You'll find it’s a good option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without much fuss. Consider this route if you're looking for a no-frills, direct path through the state.
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
136.8 miles from Albers, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
227.9 mi
4h 5m
US 50
15.9 mi
18m
Franklin Street
14.1 mi
16m
Carlyle Road
4.5 mi
7m
South Germantown Road
3.1 mi
5m
I 80
2.2 mi
3m
Hanover Street
1.2 mi
2m
12th Street
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 227.9 mi, about 4h 5m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~741 veh/hr typical
· worst 863
Quietest
3 AM
~100 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Albers, IL and Markham, IL.
1
Start on North Commerical Street
20 ft·6 sec·North Commerical Street
2
Turn left onto IL 161
4.5 mi·7 min·Carlyle Road
3
Turn left onto Hanover Street
1.2 mi·2 min·Hanover Street
4
Continue on South Germantown Road
3.1 mi·5 min·South Germantown Road
5
Turn right onto Old Route 50 West
0.5 mi·1 min·Old Route 50 West
6
Turn left onto North Walnut Street
0.5 mi·57 sec·North Walnut Street
7
Continue on Jamestown Road
0.1 mi·14 sec·Jamestown Road
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
9
Merge onto US 50
8.1 mi·9 min·US 50
10
At end of road, turn right onto US 50; IL 127
1.0 mi·1 min·12th Street
11
Turn left onto US 50
14 mi·16 min·Franklin Street
12
At end of road, turn left onto US 50; US 51
0.2 mi·14 sec·N Mine St
13
Continue on US 50; US 51
347 ft·4 sec·North Mine Street
14
Take the exit
134 ft·3 sec
15
Turn right onto US 50
7.8 mi·9 min·US 50
16
Turn left
0.4 mi·54 sec
17
Merge onto I 57
47 mi·50 min·I 57
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
181 mi·3 hr 15 min·I 57
Toward I 57 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·50 sec
Exit 345AToward I 80 East: IndianaUse the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto I 80
2.2 mi·3 min·I 80
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 154Toward Kedzie AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·Kedzie Avenue
23
Turn left onto 163rd Street
64 ft·2 sec·163rd Street
24
Arrive at destination
163rd Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour drive time and 273.6-mile distance, this trip is comfortably achievable in one day. Leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Markham, IL, with a fuel cost estimated at $43. You'll encounter one recommended stop, which is a good opportunity to stretch your legs, especially after the 227.9-mile stretch on I 57. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you get closer to Markham, as congestion can increase in the Chicago metropolitan area.
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 136.8 miles from Albers, IL, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 227.9 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 60 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.8 miles or 2h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Markham, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Albers, 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 Albers, IL
This is one driving day of about 273.6 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Albers, 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 57 for about 227.9 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 272.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|IL 161 / Carlyle Road
Turn left onto IL 161 / Carlyle Road
Navigation decision point
5
18.3 mi into trip|~27m in|US 50; IL 127 / 12th Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 50; IL 127 / 12th Street
Navigation decision point
7
88.6 mi into trip|~1h 46m in|I 57
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
7
269.9 mi into trip|~5h 1m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Indiana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 345A
Toward I 80 East: Indiana
7
272.6 mi into trip|~5h 5m in
Take the exit toward Kedzie Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 154
Toward Kedzie Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.40 one way
$80.81 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$44.61
$89.21
premium
$4.72
$50.80
$101.60
diesel
$4.80
$51.66
$103.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.1
1
$28.73
$13.13
Efficient EV
68.4
0
$23.94
$10.94
EV Truck/SUV
109.4
1
$38.30
$17.51
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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 18, 2026
Origin
Albers, IL
Morning
in Albers on Sunday
Local time
10:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
SW 3 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
Markham, IL
Morning
in Markham on Sunday
Local time
10:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
WSW 5 to 10 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln 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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 7m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 273.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is heavily focused on highways, with 90% of the journey taking place on them. You'll spend a significant amount of time on I 57, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 227.9 miles. While primarily a highway-focused experience, you will transition onto US 50 and Franklin Street as you approach your destination. Expect a consistent pace for most of the drive, with the latter part involving more local road navigation as you enter the Chicago metropolitan area.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 227.9 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and US 50. You will hit about 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IL 161 / Carlyle Road.
Driving Effort6/10
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 273.6 miles you will encounter 19 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: near the start (IL 161 / Carlyle Road): Navigation decision point; at 18.3 miles (US 50; IL 127 / 12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 88.6 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 273.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 227.9 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 31 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 Markham, 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 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IL 161 / Carlyle Road): Navigation decision point; at 18.3 miles (US 50; IL 127 / 12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 88.6 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Markham, IL before the return drive.
