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Trip from Forreston, IL to Markham, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 43m

Distance

129 mi

208 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 32m ★
6 AM
2h 43m
8 AM
3h 4m
10 AM
2h 51m
12 PM
2h 48m
3 PM
2h 52m
5 PM
3h 3m
8 PM
2h 37m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Forreston, IL, IL

Forreston, IL

Stéphane Tendon

Downtown Markham, IL, IL

Markham, IL

Armando Ascorve

Trip Overview

This 129-mile drive from Forreston, Illinois, to Markham, Illinois, is a straightforward, single-day trip that can be completed in about 2 hours and 43 minutes. Designed for a quick journey through the Midwest, the route primarily utilizes the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway and the Tri-State Tollway, with a portion on IL 72. With a projected fuel cost of around $20, this is an economical option for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. The drive is generally efficient, making it a practical choice for those looking to cover ground without extensive planning.

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

64.5 miles from Forreston, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway 59.9 mi 1h 8m
IL 72 27.3 mi 40m
Tri-State Tollway 21.2 mi 26m
I 39 13.6 mi 14m
West Blackhawk Drive 1.3 mi 2m
Mile-Long Bridge 0.9 mi 1m
Kedzie Avenue 0.5 mi 1m
East Main Street 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway — 59.9 mi, about 1h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Forreston, IL and Markham, IL.

1

Start on IL 26

16 ft · 7 sec · 1st Avenue
2

Turn left onto East Main Street

0.5 mi · 43 sec · East Main Street
3

Continue on IL 72

15 mi · 22 min · IL 72
4

At end of road, turn left onto IL 2; IL 72

1.3 mi · 2 min · West Blackhawk Drive
5

Turn right onto IL 72

0.4 mi · 42 sec · South Union Street
6

Turn left onto IL 72

12 mi · 18 min · IL 72
7

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 45 sec
8

Merge onto I 39; US 51

14 mi · 14 min · I 39; US 51
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Exit 97A Toward I 88 East Toll: Chicago
10

Merge onto I 88; IL 110

56 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110

3.7 mi · 4 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Exit 138 Toward I 294 South, IL 38: Indiana Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 2 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto I 294

3.6 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway
15

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on I 294

0.9 mi · 1 min · Mile-Long Bridge
17

Continue on I 294

14 mi · 17 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Exit 6B-A Toward US 6: 159th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 54 sec
Exit 6B Toward US 6 West: 159th Street
20

Turn straight onto US 6

0.4 mi · 56 sec · West 159th Street
21

Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Kedzie Avenue
22

Turn right onto 163rd Street

64 ft · 2 sec · 163rd Street
23

Arrive at destination

163rd Street

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 43 minutes, this trip is best tackled as a single-day adventure. Consider departing earlier in the morning to avoid potential peak traffic, especially as you get closer to Markham. With only one suggested stop implied by the data, you have ample flexibility to decide when and where to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $20, and plan your refueling accordingly, perhaps before you begin the longest stretch on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway to ensure a smooth journey.

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 64.5 miles from Forreston, IL, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.9 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 28 miles or 42m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 64.5 miles or 1h 24m 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 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 Forreston, 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 Forreston, IL

This is one driving day of about 129 miles and 2h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Forreston, 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 Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for about 59.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city on tripoints of DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Aurora, IL

65 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

Davis Junction, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Aurora, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 64.5 miles from Forreston, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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.

Best meal stop · final third

Mapo Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Naperville, Illinois

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third · 47min to go 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+16304201388

Visit website

Ditka's Oakbrook

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois

1.1 mi

Capri Ristorante

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Burr Ridge, Illinois

1.1 mi

Mapo Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Naperville, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+16304201388

Visit website

Ditka's Oakbrook

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour Expensive

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16305722200

Visit website

Capri Ristorante

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+16304554003

Visit website

Simon's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Villa Park, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+16305300200

Visit website

A2B Indian Veg Restaurant - Illinois

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Warrenville, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–3 pm

+16307918800

Visit website

J. Alexander's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour Expensive

Oak Brook, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+16305738180

Visit website

Glo Jean's Kitchen

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Hazel Crest, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+17089917264

Visit website

Golden Bear Pancake & Crepery Restaurants

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Alsip, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–2:30 pm

+17086533454

Visit website

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Willowbrook, Illinois

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 100.2 and 127.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
100.2 mi into trip | ~2h 4m in | I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
103.9 mi into trip | ~2h 9m in

Take the exit toward I 294 South, IL 38: Indiana

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 138 Toward I 294 South, IL 38: Indiana
6
104.2 mi into trip | ~2h 9m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
108.8 mi into trip | ~2h 16m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
127.4 mi into trip | ~2h 39m in

Take the exit toward US 6: 159th Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 6B-A Toward US 6: 159th Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.17 one way

$40.34 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 45 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $22.14 $44.29
premium $4.89 $24.82 $49.65
diesel $5.61 $28.48 $56.96

Estimated Tolls: $4.88

Reagan Memorial Tollway (59.9 mi) $3.60
Tri-state Tollway (21.2 mi) $1.28

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Tolls

$5

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 45.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 38.7 0 $13.54 $6.19
Efficient EV 32.3 0 $11.29 $5.16
EV Truck/SUV 51.6 0 $18.06 $8.26

Gas CO2

45 kg

EV CO2

15 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 16, 2026

Origin

Forreston, IL

Late night in Forreston on Tuesday

Local time

3:54 AM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Markham, IL

Late night in Markham on Tuesday

Local time

3:54 AM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms

NW 10 to 15 mph 28% chance Live forecast

65°F

Aurora, IL

65 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

7 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

2h 43m 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

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...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour Free near mile 124.6
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 32% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 59.9 miles on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, offering a period of consistent cruising. The transition to IL 72 and then the Tri-State Tollway will introduce different driving dynamics, likely involving more varied traffic patterns and potential for local road segments. This blend means you'll encounter both open-road travel and more urban-influenced driving as you approach your destination.

32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.9 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 100.2 miles in near I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 16 significant decision points across 129 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 100.2 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

879 ft 620 ft

Total Climb

181 ft

Total Descent

259 ft

Highest Point

879 ft

~64.5 mi in

Elevation Range

259 ft

About the Cities

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 2h 43m. Total distance: 129 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (32%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 59.9 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $4.88 in tolls one way, starting with Reagan Memorial Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 100.2 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104.2 miles: 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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Markham, IL before heading back.

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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