Traveling from Lena to Markham covers 144.7 miles across the Illinois Midwest, a journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 54 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, you should plan on a single day trip rather than an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $22 on fuel for the excursion. The route primarily utilizes the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, and the Tri-State Tollway. It is a straightforward transit through the state, making it manageable if you prefer to reach your destination in one go without the need for lodging.
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
72.4 miles from Lena, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
49.5 mi
53m
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
39.8 mi
47m
Tri-State Tollway
23.8 mi
30m
I 290
14.9 mi
19m
West State Road
9.8 mi
11m
IL 73
1 mi
1m
Mile-Long Bridge
0.9 mi
1m
I 39
0.6 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
— 49.5 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lena, IL and Markham, IL.
1
Start on West Lena Street
93 ft·3 sec·West Lena Street
2
Turn right onto IL 73
0.6 mi·55 sec·North Schuyler Street
3
Continue on IL 73
1.0 mi·1 min·IL 73
4
Turn left onto US 20
25 mi·30 min·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
5
Continue on US 20
9.8 mi·11 min·West State Road
6
Continue on US 20
14 mi·16 min·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Toward US 20 East: Chicago
7
Continue on I 39; US 51
0.6 mi·41 sec·I 39; US 51
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: Chicago
9
Merge onto I 90
20 mi·21 min·Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
30 mi·31 min·Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 68A-BToward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West SuburbsUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 68AToward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West SuburbsUse the slight right lane.
13
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·33 sec·this road
Exit 68AToward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs
14
Merge onto I 290; IL 53
5.7 mi·7 min·I 290; IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 290
9.3 mi·12 min·I 290
Toward I 290 East: ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 15AToward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, IndianaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 294
0.4 mi·47 sec·Tri-State Tollway
Exit 15AToward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
1.0 mi·2 min·Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
19
Merge onto I 294
137 ft·1 sec·Tri-State Tollway
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
3.5 mi·4 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 294
0.9 mi·1 min·Mile-Long Bridge
23
Continue on I 294
14 mi·17 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 6B-AToward US 6: 159th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 6BToward US 6 West: 159th Street
26
Turn straight onto US 6
0.4 mi·56 sec·West 159th Street
27
Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Kedzie Avenue
28
Turn right onto 163rd Street
64 ft·2 sec·163rd Street
29
Arrive at destination
163rd Street
Trip Plan
Given the 144.7-mile distance, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time to avoid the heaviest traffic. With only one recommended stop, you can easily pace yourself to reach Markham comfortably within the 2-hour and 54-minute window. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $22 estimate assumes a steady pace, and local roads may affect your consumption differently than the highway stretches. My top tip for this specific route is to prioritize your single stop along one of the more technical local sections; this allows you to break up the turns and stay alert before you hit the final leg of your journey on the Tri-State Tollway.
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 72.4 miles from Lena, IL, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.5 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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.4 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 19m
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 Lena, 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 Lena, IL
This is one driving day of about 144.7 miles and 2h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Lena, 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 Jane Addams Memorial Tollway for about 49.5 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 102 and 143.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
102 mi into trip|~1h 56m in
Take the exit toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 68A-B
Toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs
9
102.5 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 68A
Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West S...
7
108.7 mi into trip|~2h 6m in|I 290
Keep slight right at fork onto I 290 toward I 290 East: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 290 East: Chicago
8
118 mi into trip|~2h 18m in
Take the exit toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, 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 15A
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
7
143.1 mi into trip|~2h 50m 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
$22.62 one way
$45.24 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$24.84
$49.68
premium
$4.89
$27.85
$55.69
diesel
$5.61
$31.95
$63.90
Estimated Tolls: $4.89
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(49.5 mi)$3.46
Tri-state Tollway
(23.8 mi)$1.43
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
$23
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.4
0
$15.19
$6.95
Efficient EV
36.2
0
$12.66
$5.79
EV Truck/SUV
57.9
0
$20.26
$9.26
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 14, 2026
Origin
Lena, IL
Late night
in Lena on Tuesday
Local time
4:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Markham, IL
Late night
in Markham on Tuesday
Local time
4:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 15 mph36% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:50AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:39AM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
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 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 54m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mix of driving styles on this trek, as only 11% of the route consists of highway travel. While you will encounter a significant 49.5-mile stretch on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, the remainder of the trip is defined by a turn-heavy local profile. You will navigate through varying road conditions that shift from open highway segments to more technical local roads. This transition keeps the drive engaging, though you should be prepared for frequent adjustments behind the wheel. The contrast between the fast-paced tollway and the local road segments gives this route a distinct, evolving personality.
Only 11% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.5 mi on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 102 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 144.7 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 102 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.7 miles (I 290): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
951 ft620 ft
Total Climb
240 ft
Total Descent
571 ft
Highest Point
951 ft
Elevation Range
331 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lena, IL and Markham, IL, road signs point toward Suburbs and Indiana.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 54m. Total distance: 144.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.5 miles on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.89 in tolls one way, starting with Jane Addams 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 102 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.7 miles (I 290): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Markham, IL before heading back.
