Hamel, IL to Markham, IL is 250 miles and takes about 4h 35m via I 55 and I 80, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Illinois, making it a straightforward connection between two points. Given its profile, you can expect a nearly all-highway experience, so pack your playlists and prepare for efficient travel. If you're looking for a quick one-day drive without much fuss, this route fits the bill.
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
125 miles from Hamel, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
219.9 mi
3h 56m
I 80
27.6 mi
34m
Kedzie Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
West State Street
0.4 mi
<1m
State Route 140
<0.1 mi
<1m
163rd Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 219.9 mi, about 3h 56m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,689 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,115
Quietest
2 AM
~152 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
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 Hamel, IL and Markham, IL.
1
Start on IL 140
0.4 mi·51 sec·West State Street
2
Continue on IL 140
443 ft·13 sec·State Route 140
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
4
Merge onto I 55
97 mi·1 hr 44 min·I 55
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
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.
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 250AToward I 80 East: IndianaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 80
28 mi·34 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
For this 4h 35m drive, leaving in the morning allows you to arrive with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $38, you can plan your spending easily. The longest stretch is nearly 220 miles on I 55, so consider a brief break before or during that segment to stay refreshed. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, be aware of potential traffic as you approach Markham, especially during peak hours.
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 125 miles from Hamel, IL, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 219.9 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 55 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125 miles or 2h 15m 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 41m
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 Hamel, 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 Hamel, IL
This is one driving day of about 250 miles and 4h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Hamel, 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 219.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Home stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 249 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
7
97.4 mi into trip|~1h 46m 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
126.8 mi into trip|~2h 17m 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
220.7 mi into trip|~3h 58m 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
249 mi into trip|~4h 33m 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
$38.14 one way
$76.28 round trip
$3.88/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.27
$42.01
$84.02
premium
$4.81
$47.30
$94.61
diesel
$5.40
$53.18
$106.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
EV Charging Along Route
3 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: fair
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Atlanta, Illinois
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Bloomington, Illinois
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Red E Charging Station
Atlanta, Illinois
Other
1 DCFC
Other: 2
ChargePoint: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75
0
$26.25
$12.00
Efficient EV
62.5
0
$21.88
$10.00
EV Truck/SUV
100
1
$35.00
$16.00
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 26, 2026
Origin
Hamel, IL
Late night
in Hamel on Sunday
Local time
4:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Markham, IL
Late night
in Markham on Sunday
Local time
4:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Mostly Cloudy then Patchy Fog
ENE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 9:27PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 9:27PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
45°F
Atlanta, IL
125 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
23 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
4h 35m 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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 99% highway, so you'll be on major interstates for almost the entire 250 miles. You'll encounter a long stretch of 219.9 miles on I 55 before transitioning. The final leg involves Kedzie Avenue, marking the end of the highway cruising and the beginning of surface road travel. Expect numerous exits and entrances as you navigate through various populated areas.
99% 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: 219.9 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 80. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in.
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 250 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 97.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 126.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Hamel, IL to Markham, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Peoria
126.8 mi in|~2h 17m|via I 55
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 35m. Total distance: 250 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 35m 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 219.9 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 97.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 126.8 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Markham, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
