Traveling from Markham to Cambria covers 301.2 miles of Illinois landscape, typically taking about 5 hours and 33 minutes of pure driving time. Because the vast majority of this journey remains on major interstates, it is entirely feasible as a single-day trip. You should budget approximately $46 for fuel to complete the trek. Since both the origin and destination are located within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the drive. While the route is straightforward enough to handle in one go, staying mindful of the duration ensures you arrive refreshed.
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
150.6 miles from Markham, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
252.8 mi
4h 32m
Ken Gray Expressway
32.7 mi
35m
Herrin Road
6.6 mi
9m
East Herrin Street
3.1 mi
5m
I 80
2.3 mi
3m
North Maple Street
1.5 mi
2m
Cambria Road
0.6 mi
<1m
Kedzie Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 252.8 mi, about 4h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Markham, IL and Cambria, 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
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 57
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
33 mi·35 min·Ken Gray Expressway
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward Johnston City, Herrin
10
Turn right onto Herrin Road
3.1 mi·4 min·Herrin Road
11
Continue on East Herrin Street
3.1 mi·5 min·East Herrin Street
12
Continue on Herrin Road
3.5 mi·5 min·Herrin Road
13
Enter roundabout onto Cambria Road
221 ft·4 sec·Cambria Road
14
Continue on Cambria Road
0.5 mi·48 sec·Cambria Road
15
Continue on North Maple Street
1.5 mi·2 min·North Maple Street
16
Arrive at destination
South Maple Street
Trip Plan
To keep your drive manageable, aim for a morning departure to avoid potential traffic congestion near your starting point. You only need to plan for one major stop during the 301.2-mile trip, allowing you to refuel and stretch your legs without significantly delaying your arrival. Given that the longest uninterrupted leg is 252.8 miles on I-57, make sure your vehicle is fueled up before hitting that stretch to avoid unnecessary stops. Because this is a relatively long transit, keeping a flexible schedule is your best advantage for managing fatigue. Check your tire pressure and fluid levels before you leave, as the high-speed interstate environment demands a reliable vehicle for the duration of the trip.
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 150.6 miles from Markham, IL, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 252.8 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 66 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150.6 miles or 2h 44m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cambria, 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 301.2 miles and 5h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 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 252.8 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 289.1 — 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
4
256.4 mi into trip|~4h 38m in|I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
289.1 mi into trip|~5h 13m in
Take the exit toward Johnston City, Herrin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Johnston City, Herrin
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.09 one way
$94.18 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg105 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$51.70
$103.40
premium
$4.89
$57.96
$115.93
diesel
$5.61
$66.50
$133.00
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
90.4
1
$31.63
$14.46
Efficient EV
75.3
0
$26.35
$12.05
EV Truck/SUV
120.5
1
$42.17
$19.28
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Night
in Markham on Saturday
Local time
11:42 PM
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
Cambria, IL
Night
in Cambria on Saturday
Local time
11:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Bruce, IL
151 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
6 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
5h 33m 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?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 96 percent of your travel takes place on high-speed roads. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-57, which accounts for a significant 252.8-mile stretch of the journey. The pace remains steady and consistent, moving from the suburban environment of Markham onto the open stretches of the interstate. As you transition toward the latter part of the trip, you will eventually exit onto the Ken Gray Expressway and Herrin Road to reach your final destination. It is a functional, efficient drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 252.8 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. You will hit about 10 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 301.2 miles you will encounter 10 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 33m. Total distance: 301.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 252.8 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.
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 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cambria, IL before the return drive.
