Traveling from Markham to Aviston covers 269.1 miles across the Illinois landscape. You can expect a drive time of roughly 4 hours and 56 minutes, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $41, the route is economically manageable for most travelers. You will primarily navigate via I-57, West Missouri Avenue, and US-50 as you traverse the Midwest. Since the entire journey stays within Illinois, you won't face regional transitions, but you will experience a steady move from the northern suburbs toward the southwestern part of the state. It is a straightforward trip that rarely requires an overnight split, provided you are comfortable with a five-hour stint behind the wheel.
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
134.6 miles from Markham, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
228 mi
4h 5m
West Missouri Avenue
14.1 mi
16m
US 50
13.1 mi
15m
Poplar
2.7 mi
3m
East Poplar Street
2.7 mi
3m
I 80
2.3 mi
3m
West Main Street
2.2 mi
2m
12th Street
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 228 mi, about 4h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Markham, IL and Aviston, IL.
1
Start on 163rd Street
64 ft·6 sec·163rd Street
2
Turn right onto Kedzie Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Kedzie Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 80 West
4
Merge onto I 80
2.3 mi·3 min·I 80
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 151AToward I 57 South: MemphisUse the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Merge onto I 57
187 mi·3 hr 22 min·I 57
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
41 mi·43 min·I 57
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
9
Keep slight right at fork
83 ft·2 sec
Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
10
Turn right onto US 50
2.2 mi·2 min·West Main Street
11
Continue on US 50
2.7 mi·3 min·East Poplar Street
12
Continue on US 50
2.7 mi·3 min·Poplar
13
At end of road, turn left onto US 50; US 51
443 ft·5 sec·North Mine Street
14
Continue on US 50; US 51
0.2 mi·16 sec·N Mine St
15
Turn right onto US 50
14 mi·16 min·West Missouri Avenue
16
Turn right onto US 50; IL 127
1.0 mi·1 min·12th Street
17
Turn left onto US 50
13 mi·15 min·US 50
18
Turn left onto Russland Road
0.2 mi·42 sec·Russland Road
19
Turn left onto Old US Hwy 50
0.1 mi·12 sec·Old US Hwy 50
20
Continue on Harrison Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·Harrison Street
21
Turn right onto Clinton Street
0.4 mi·59 sec·Clinton Street
22
Turn left onto 2nd Street
106 ft·4 sec·2nd Street
23
Arrive at destination
2nd Street
Trip Plan
To keep your 4-hour and 56-minute journey manageable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Because the trip is heavily reliant on I-57, keep an eye on real-time traffic reports before you depart, as heavy volume can easily extend your travel time. Fuel up before hitting the long 228-mile stretch on the interstate to ensure you don't have to hunt for stations in rural zones. Departing early in the morning is your best bet to beat potential congestion and arrive in Aviston with plenty of daylight left. Since the route is efficient, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace without the stress of a multi-day itinerary.
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 134.6 miles from Markham, IL, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 228 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 59 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.6 miles or 2h 27m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aviston, 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 269.1 miles and 4h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 57 for about 228 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Final third
4.5 mi from route
~11 min detour
$20 to $30
Effingham, Illinois
Hours: 6–10 am
+12175407716
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 232 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.3 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the exit toward I 57 South: Memphis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 151A
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
5
3.6 mi into trip|~5m in|I 57
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
190.7 mi into trip|~3h 27m in|I 57
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
5
231.6 mi into trip|~4h 11m in
Take the exit toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
6
232 mi into trip|~4h 12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.07 one way
$84.14 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$46.19
$92.38
premium
$4.89
$51.79
$103.57
diesel
$5.61
$59.41
$118.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.7
0
$28.26
$12.92
Efficient EV
67.3
0
$23.55
$10.76
EV Truck/SUV
107.6
1
$37.67
$17.22
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 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 18, 2026
Origin
Markham, IL
Late night
in Markham on Tuesday
Local time
4:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Partly Sunny
WNW 20 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 10:06AM CDT until April 20 at 5:00PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 10:06AM CDT until April 20 at 5:48PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Aviston, IL
Late night
in Aviston on Tuesday
Local time
4:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Charleston, IL
135 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
21 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 56m 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused trek is dominated by an impressive 90% highway share, ensuring you spend the vast majority of your time at cruising speeds. You will spend your longest stretch on I-57, which accounts for 228 miles of the total distance. The personality of this drive is functional and efficient, prioritizing time over winding, scenic detours. Expect a consistent interstate experience that eventually transitions into the local stretches of West Missouri Avenue and US-50 as you approach your final destination. It is a predictable, high-speed journey that demands focus but offers little in the way of technical driving challenges.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 228 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and West Missouri Avenue. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
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 269.1 miles you will encounter 17 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 3.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 190.7 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
734 ft461 ft
Total Climb
230 ft
Total Descent
377 ft
Highest Point
734 ft
~96.1 mi in
Elevation Range
273 ft
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 Markham, IL to Aviston, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Sandoval along the way.
St. Louis Metro East is a region of southwestern Illinois that includes the Illinois part of the St. Louis metropolitan area, plus surrounding counties. It consists of the counties of Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Fayette, Jersey, Madison, Marion, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair, and Washington. The most populous city is Belleville, which borders East St. Louis, once the most populous.
Top landmarks
•James C. Twiss House — historic house in Illinois, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 56m. Total distance: 269.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 56m 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 228 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 190.7 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Aviston, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
