Arcola, IL to Markham, IL is 146.1 miles and takes about 2h 41m via I 57 and I 80, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward highway-focused drive, making it a convenient option for a single-day journey. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, so expect a consistent pace and minimal detours. This route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
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
73.1 miles from Arcola, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
140.9 mi
2h 32m
I 80
2.2 mi
3m
Kedzie Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
East Springfield Road
0.6 mi
1m
North Locust Street
0.3 mi
1m
E County Road 200 N
0.3 mi
<1m
163rd Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 140.9 mi, about 2h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arcola, IL and Markham, IL.
1
Start on North Locust Street
0.3 mi·1 min·North Locust Street
2
Turn left onto IL 133
0.6 mi·1 min·East Springfield Road
3
Continue on IL 133
0.3 mi·27 sec·E County Road 200 N
4
Take the ramp
467 ft·13 sec
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
5
Turn left
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
6
Merge onto I 57
141 mi·2 hr 32 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·50 sec
Exit 345AToward I 80 East: IndianaUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 80
2.2 mi·3 min·I 80
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 154Toward Kedzie AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·Kedzie Avenue
11
Turn left onto 163rd Street
64 ft·2 sec·163rd Street
12
Arrive at destination
163rd Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 41m duration, this is easily a same-day trip, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will help you avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area. You'll only have one planned stop, so make sure to refuel before you leave or at a major service area along I 57 to keep your $23 fuel budget in check. The longest stretch is over 140 miles, so plan your comfort breaks accordingly. Keep an eye out for any signage indicating lane changes or construction as you transition between I 57 and I 80.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73.1 miles from Arcola, IL, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.9 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 32 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.1 miles or 1h 20m 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 11m
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 Arcola, 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 Arcola, IL
This is one driving day of about 146.1 miles and 2h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Arcola, 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 140.9 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 145.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|IL 133 / East Springfield Road
Turn left onto IL 133 / East Springfield Road
Navigation decision point
5
1.2 mi into trip|~2m in
Turn left toward I-57 North: Champaign
Navigation decision point
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
5
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in|I 57
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
142.4 mi into trip|~2h 35m 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
145.1 mi into trip|~2h 39m 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
$22.84 one way
$45.68 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$25.08
$50.16
premium
$4.89
$28.12
$56.23
diesel
$5.61
$32.26
$64.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.8
0
$15.34
$7.01
Efficient EV
36.5
0
$12.78
$5.84
EV Truck/SUV
58.4
0
$20.45
$9.35
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (67% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Arcola, IL
Late night
in Arcola on Tuesday
Local time
4:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Markham, IL
Late night
in Markham on Tuesday
Local time
4:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
4 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
2h 41m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 146.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 98% of the journey taking place on major interstates like I 57 and I 80. You'll experience the longest uninterrupted stretch of 140.9 miles on I 57, offering a consistent driving rhythm for a significant portion of the trip. The route progresses primarily through these high-speed corridors, meaning you'll encounter a steady flow of traffic and ample opportunities for passing. Expect a predictable driving experience that prioritizes directness over scenic detours. Kedzie Avenue is the only significant deviation from the interstate system near your destination.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 140.9 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and I 80. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near IL 133 / East Springfield Road.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 41m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (IL 133 / East Springfield Road): Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Arcola is a city in the Central Illinois region of Illinois with about 2,900 residents in 2020. Visitors will get a sense of small-town Midwest as they walk or drive down the streets of Arcola. The countryside surrounding the city houses the largest Amish population in Illinois with many small shops operated by Amish craftsmen in and around the area.
The longest stretch is about 140.9 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 0.3 miles (IL 133 / East Springfield Road): Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Markham, IL before heading back.
