Connecting Markham to Bloomington, this 113.1-mile journey is a straightforward trek through the Illinois Midwest. You can expect to spend about 2 hours and 9 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. With a projected fuel cost of $17, it is an affordable excursion that does not require an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-55, I-72, and US Highway 67 to reach your destination. Because the entire route remains within Illinois, you will experience a consistent regional feel from start to finish. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick getaway, the simplicity of this drive allows for a stress-free travel experience.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.5 miles from Markham, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 72
50.9 mi
55m
I 55
49.9 mi
53m
US Highway 67
6.4 mi
6m
South Veterans Parkway
2.5 mi
3m
South Main Street
1.3 mi
3m
Markham Road
1.1 mi
4m
South East Street
0.5 mi
1m
North East Street
—
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 72
— 50.9 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Markham, IL and Bloomington, 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 right at fork onto I 55 Business
0.3 mi·20 sec·South Veterans Parkway
Exit 157A; 157BToward I 55 Business North, I 74 East: Indianapolis
8
Continue on I 55 Business
2.1 mi·3 min·South Veterans Parkway
Exit 157BToward I 55 Business NorthUse the left / straight lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward US 51 Business
10
Turn left onto US 51 Business
1.3 mi·3 min·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 51 Business
0.5 mi·1 min·South East Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Arrive at destination
US 51 Business
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the trip in one go without needing scheduled stops, as the duration is just over two hours. If you want to avoid peak traffic, plan your departure to bypass the busiest commuting windows. Keep in mind that your $17 fuel budget is an estimate, so it is wise to monitor your vehicle's efficiency as you navigate the interstate segments. A helpful tip for this specific route is to prepare your music or podcasts beforehand, as the 50.9-mile stretch on I-72 offers a long, consistent window to settle in and enjoy your audio entertainment.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 56.5 miles from Markham, IL, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.9 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 25 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.5 miles or 1h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bloomington, 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 113.1 miles and 2h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Markham, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 72 for about 50.9 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.5 and 111 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
7.5 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit toward I 72 East: Quincy
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 72 East: Quincy
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
7
108.6 mi into trip|~2h in|I 55 Business / South Veterans Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 Business / South Veterans Parkway toward I 55 Business North, I 74 East: Indianapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 157A; 157B
Toward I 55 Business North, I 74 East: Indianap...
4
108.9 mi into trip|~2h 1m in|I 55 Business / South Veterans Parkway
Continue onto I 55 Business / South Veterans Parkway toward I 55 Business North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Exit 157B
Toward I 55 Business North
4
111 mi into trip|~2h 4m in
Take the exit toward US 51 Business
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 51 Business
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.68 one way
$35.36 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$19.41
$38.83
premium
$4.89
$21.77
$43.53
diesel
$5.61
$24.97
$49.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.9
0
$11.88
$5.43
Efficient EV
28.3
0
$9.90
$4.52
EV Truck/SUV
45.2
0
$15.83
$7.24
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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 19, 2026
Origin
Markham, IL
Late night
in Markham on Tuesday
Local time
4:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bloomington, IL
Late night
in Bloomington on Tuesday
Local time
4:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Riverton, IL
57 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
24 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 9m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused route is built for efficiency, with 97% of your travel time spent on major roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm quickly, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 50.9 miles along I-72. While the drive is predominantly an interstate grind, the transition between these major arteries keeps the journey moving at a consistent pace. You won't encounter many technical local roads, as the path prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours. Expect a practical experience where the focus is firmly on reaching Bloomington with minimal navigation hurdles.
97% 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: 50.9 mi on I 72.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 72 and I 55. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 7.5 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 113.1 miles you will encounter 8 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 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 79.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.6 miles (I 55 Business / South Veterans Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Bloomington, pop. 77,000 (2010 census), is a city in the Midwestern state of Illinois in the United States of America, on the classic Route 66 highway across the country. With neighboring Normal, pop. 52,000 (2010 census), it forms a combined community of about 130,000 known locally as the Twin Cities. Illinois Wesleyan University is in Bloomington, and is not to be confused with Illinois State University in Normal.
Top landmarks
•David Davis Mansion — house museum in Bloomington, Illinois
•Bloomington Central Business District — historic and central business district in Bloomington, McLean County, Illinois,...
•George H. Miller House — Bloomington, Illinois, listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 9m. Total distance: 113.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50.9 miles on I 72. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 79.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.6 miles (I 55 Business / South Veterans Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. 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 Bloomington, IL before heading back.
