Main Line Station Rest Area - Northbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Altamont, IL to Markham, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 42m
Distance
202 mi
325 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 30m
★
6 AM
3h 43m
8 AM
4h 8m
10 AM
3h 51m
12 PM
3h 49m
3 PM
3h 53m
5 PM
4h 7m
8 PM
3h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Altamont, IL
Samuele Pellegrino
Markham, IL
Stéphane Tendon
Trip Overview
Altamont, IL to Markham, IL is 202 miles and takes about 3h 42m via I-57, I-70, and I-80, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, crossing the Midwest region. You'll be on highways for almost the entire route, making it a straightforward drive. It's a good option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without a lot of detours. Plan for a single-day trip given the relatively short distance and duration.
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
101 miles from Altamont, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 181.3 mi | 3h 15m |
| I 70 | 15.3 mi | 16m |
| I 80 | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Farina Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Kedzie Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North Main Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| 163rd Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 181.3 mi, about 3h 15m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,241 veh/hr typical · worst 1,621
Quietest
2 AM
~245 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 49 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 Altamont, IL and Markham, IL.
1
Start on North Main Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
2
Continue on IL 128
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Farina Road
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I-70 East: Effingham
4
Merge onto I 70
15 mi
·
16 min
·
I 70
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
181 mi
·
3 hr 15 min
·
I 57
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 345A
Toward I 80 East: Indiana
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 80
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
I 80
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 154
Toward Kedzie Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Kedzie Avenue
10
Turn left onto 163rd Street
64 ft
·
2 sec
·
163rd Street
11
Arrive at destination
163rd Street
Trip Plan
Given this is a single-day trip of just over 3.5 hours, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving mid-morning should allow you to avoid the worst of rush hour traffic in the Chicago area. With only one recommended stop and a short duration, you can easily complete this drive without feeling rushed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially if you plan to drive through the Chicago suburbs during peak times, as traffic can sometimes extend travel duration beyond the estimated 3h 42m.
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 101 miles from Altamont, IL, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181.3 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 44 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101 miles or 1h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 1m
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 Altamont, 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 Altamont, IL
This is one driving day of about 202 miles and 3h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Altamont, 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 181.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
101 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 101 miles from Altamont, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 181.3 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.
Illini Prairie Rest Area - Northbound
0 mi from route
Main Line Station Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Illini Prairie Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Prairie View Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Prairie View Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Green Creek Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Green Creek Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
National Trail Rest Area - Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
National Trail Rest Area - Eastbound
0.2 mi from route
Peotone Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Truckomat Truck Wash - Effingham
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
1 mi from route
QuikTrip
2.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 201 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1.3 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward I-70 East: Effingham
Navigation decision point
Toward I-70 East: Effingham
3
1.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 70
Merge onto I 70
Merge point - match speed before joining
7
17 mi into trip
|
~21m 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
198.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 36m 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
201 mi into trip
|
~3h 40m 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
$29.83 one way
$59.66 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $32.93 | $65.86 |
| premium | $4.72 | $37.51 | $75.01 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $38.14 | $76.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.6 | 0 | $21.21 | $9.70 |
| Efficient EV | 50.5 | 0 | $17.68 | $8.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.8 | 1 | $28.28 | $12.93 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Origin
Altamont, IL
Late night in Altamont on Monday
Local time
4:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NNW 5 mph
50% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:16PM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:38PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
Markham, IL
Late night in Markham on Monday
Local time
4:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Smoke
NE 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:16PM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:38PM 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
5 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 42m 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
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 202
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on interstate highways, with 98% of the 202 miles taking place on them. You'll experience a long stretch of 181.3 miles primarily on I-57. Expect a consistent cruising experience with frequent exit ramps, especially as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area. The transition to surface roads will be minimal, occurring only in the final miles.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 181.3 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and I 70. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 202 miles you will encounter 8 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 1.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (I 70): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 17 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
822 ft
602 ft
Total Climb
436 ft
Total Descent
441 ft
Highest Point
822 ft
~115.5 mi in
Elevation Range
220 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Altamont, IL
Full guide →Founded 1872
Arriving in Markham, IL
Full guide →Founded 1925
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 42m. Total distance: 202 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 181.3 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 30 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (I 70): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 17 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Markham, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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