Columbia, IL to Markham, IL is 290.1 miles and takes about 5h 23m via I 55 and I 80, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region from beginning to end. With 99% of the route on highways, it's a straightforward drive primarily focused on covering distance efficiently. Expect minimal time spent on surface streets, making this a practical option for a quick transit between these two points.
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
145.1 miles from Columbia, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
239.4 mi
4h 18m
I 80
27.6 mi
34m
IL 3
19.2 mi
22m
North Main Street
1.4 mi
2m
Kedzie Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
163rd Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 239.4 mi, about 4h 18m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,733 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,150
Quietest
2 AM
~161 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Columbia, IL and Markham, IL.
1
Start on this road
78 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto North Main Street
1.4 mi·2 min·North Main Street
3
Take the ramp
278 ft·6 sec
4
Merge onto IL 3
0.9 mi·1 min·IL 3
5
Keep slight right at fork onto IL 3
18 mi·21 min·IL 3
Toward I 255 North, IL 3 North, US 50 East: East Saint Louis, Chicago, Great River Road Illinois NorthUse the slight right lane.
6
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East: Indianapolis, Chicago
7
Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40
8.3 mi·9 min·I 55; I 70; US 40
8
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
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
94 mi·1 hr 40 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 250AToward I 80 East: IndianaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 80
28 mi·34 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 154Toward Kedzie AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·Kedzie Avenue
15
Turn left onto 163rd Street
64 ft·2 sec·163rd Street
16
Arrive at destination
163rd Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 23m estimated duration, this trip is comfortably a one-day drive. To make the most of your day, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential rush hour congestion, especially as you get closer to Markham. With a fuel cost estimated at $44, it's wise to fill up before you leave or at one of the many service areas along I 55. The longest stretch without a significant change in main road is 239.4 miles on I 55, so plan for a fuel or rest stop before you hit that point if needed.
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 145.1 miles from Columbia, IL, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 239.4 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 64 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.1 miles or 2h 41m 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 21m
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 Columbia, 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 Columbia, IL
This is one driving day of about 290.1 miles and 5h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Columbia, 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 239.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Home stretch
3.9 mi from route
~10 min detour
Inexpensiv
New Lenox, Illinois
Hours: 2–9 pm
+18157178097
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 289.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
2.4 mi into trip|~3m in|IL 3
Keep slight right at fork onto IL 3 toward I 255 North, IL 3 North, US 50 East: East Saint Louis, Chicago, Great River Road Illinois North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 255 North, IL 3 North, US 50 East: Eas...
7
137.6 mi into trip|~2h 33m 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
166.9 mi into trip|~3h 4m 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
260.8 mi into trip|~4h 45m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Indiana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 250A
Toward I 80 East: Indiana
7
289.1 mi into trip|~5h 20m 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
$42.84 one way
$85.68 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$47.30
$94.59
premium
$4.72
$53.86
$107.73
diesel
$4.80
$54.78
$109.55
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87
1
$30.46
$13.92
Efficient EV
72.5
0
$25.38
$11.60
EV Truck/SUV
116
1
$40.61
$18.57
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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
Columbia, IL
Morning
in Columbia on Sunday
Local time
10:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
SW 6 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Markham, IL
Morning
in Markham on Sunday
Local time
10:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SW 5 to 10 mph46% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
87°F
Athens, IL
145 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 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 23m 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.
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 110.1
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 290.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely highway driving, with 99% of the 290.1 miles on major interstates like I 55 and I 80. You'll experience a long stretch of 239.4 miles on I 55, which means you'll be cruising at highway speeds for a significant portion of the drive. Expect numerous exits and potential for merging traffic as you approach urban areas towards Markham.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 239.4 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 80. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in near IL 3.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 290.1 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 2.4 miles (IL 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 166.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
753 ft430 ft
Total Climb
519 ft
Total Descent
401 ft
Highest Point
753 ft
~186.5 mi in
Elevation Range
323 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Columbia, IL and Markham, IL, road signs point toward Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 23m. Total distance: 290.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 239.4 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 32 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 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles (IL 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 166.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 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.
