Traveling from Markham to Arlington Heights covers 253.1 miles across the Illinois landscape, a journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 48 minutes. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused drive, it is easily manageable as a single-day trip. You should budget approximately $38 for fuel to complete the trek. By utilizing major corridors like I-55, I-72, and the Veterans Memorial Tollway, you can maintain a steady pace throughout the Midwest. Whether you are heading north for business or personal travel, this route provides a reliable connection between these two Illinois locations.
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
126.5 miles from Markham, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
162.3 mi
2h 56m
I 72
50.9 mi
55m
Veterans Memorial Tollway
19.2 mi
24m
US Highway 67
6.4 mi
6m
I 290
5.6 mi
6m
IL 53
2.7 mi
3m
Euclid Avenue
2.5 mi
5m
Markham Road
1.1 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 162.3 mi, about 2h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Markham, IL and Arlington Heights, IL.
1
Start on Markham Road
1.1 mi·4 min·Markham Road
2
Turn right onto US 67; IL 104
6.4 mi·6 min·US Highway 67
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 72 East: Quincy
4
Merge onto I 72; US 36
51 mi·55 min·I 72; US 36
5
Continue on I 55
20 mi·21 min·I 55
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
112 mi·2 hr 3 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 269Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest SuburbsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 355 North: Northwest Suburbs
10
Merge onto I 355
19 mi·24 min·Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 290
5.6 mi·6 min·I 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
2.7 mi·3 min·IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward East Euclid Avenue, Third District, Circuit CourtUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn slight right onto Euclid Avenue
2.5 mi·5 min·Euclid Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
15
Arrive at destination
East Euclid Avenue
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 4 hours and 48 minutes of travel time. Since the majority of your 253.1-mile route relies on I-55, I-72, and the Veterans Memorial Tollway, monitor traffic reports for these major arteries before you depart to avoid potential congestion. Given the $38 fuel estimate, topping off your tank before hitting the tollway can help you avoid premium pricing at high-traffic service plazas. Flexibility is your best asset on this one-day route, so departing outside of standard morning or evening rush hours will significantly improve your overall experience.
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 126.5 miles from Markham, IL, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 162.3 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 56 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.5 miles or 2h 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 3h 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington Heights, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Markham, 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 Markham, IL
This is one driving day of about 253.1 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Markham, 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 162.3 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 79.2 and 250.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
79.2 mi into trip|~1h 29m 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
108.6 mi into trip|~2h 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
8
221 mi into trip|~4h 3m in
Take the exit toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs
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 269
Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest...
6
247.6 mi into trip|~4h 38m in|IL 53
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
250.3 mi into trip|~4h 42m in
Take the exit toward East Euclid Avenue, Third District, Circuit Court
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.
Toward East Euclid Avenue, Third District, Circ...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.57 one way
$79.14 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$43.45
$86.89
premium
$4.89
$48.71
$97.41
diesel
$5.61
$55.88
$111.76
Estimated Tolls: $1.35
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(19.2 mi)$1.35
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
$40
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.9
0
$26.58
$12.15
Efficient EV
63.3
0
$22.15
$10.12
EV Truck/SUV
101.2
1
$35.43
$16.20
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% 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 14, 2026
Origin
Markham, IL
Late night
in Markham on Sunday
Local time
5:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington Heights, IL
Late night
in Arlington Heights on Sunday
Local time
5:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°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
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
4h 48m 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...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 226.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient commute, as 90% of this 253.1-mile journey is spent on major highways. The personality of this drive is defined by a significant, 162.3-mile uninterrupted stretch along I-55, which demands steady focus and minimal navigation changes. While the route is largely an interstate grind, the transition between these major arterial roads keeps the experience functional rather than technical. You will find that the rhythm of the drive remains consistent, allowing you to settle into a predictable pace for the duration of the nearly five-hour trip.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 162.3 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 72. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 79.2 miles in near I 55.
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 12 significant decision points across 253.1 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 79.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 221 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Between Markham, IL and Arlington Heights, IL, road signs point toward Peoria and Southwest Suburbs.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 48m. Total distance: 253.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 162.3 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.35 in tolls one way, starting with Veterans 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Arlington Heights, 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 79.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 221 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Arlington Heights, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
