Spanning 226 miles across the Illinois landscape, this trip from Markham to Naperville typically requires about 3 hours and 41 minutes of travel time. You will navigate a route that relies on a combination of Highway 67, I-72 East, and I-55 North to reach your destination. Budgeting approximately $34 for fuel should cover your transit costs comfortably. Given the duration and distance, this journey is perfectly manageable as a single-day outing, meaning you can easily head out in the morning and arrive by the afternoon. Since both locations are situated within the Midwest, you will remain in a familiar regional setting throughout your drive.
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
112.9 miles from Markham, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
156.9 mi
2h 49m
I 72
50.9 mi
55m
US Highway 67
6.4 mi
6m
South Washington Street
5.3 mi
11m
Weber Road
4.1 mi
7m
Markham Road
1.1 mi
4m
Washington Street
0.5 mi
<1m
North Washington Street
—
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 156.9 mi, about 2h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Markham, IL and Naperville, 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
107 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 263Toward Weber RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
233 ft·7 sec
Use the left lane.
10
Turn straight onto CH 88
4.1 mi·7 min·Weber Road
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on Washington Street
0.5 mi·55 sec·Washington Street
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on South Washington Street
5.3 mi·11 min·South Washington Street
Use the left lane.
13
Arrive at destination
North Washington Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip, your best bet is to plan for a single, well-timed stop to break up the nearly four-hour duration. Because the route is turn-heavy, double-check your GPS settings before departing Markham to ensure you are comfortable with the local navigation requirements. Flexibility is your greatest advantage here; you have the freedom to adjust your pace without the pressure of an overnight stay. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the segments off the main interstates to ensure you don't run low between service intervals. Prioritizing a mid-route break will help you stay sharp for the more technical sections of the drive.
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 112.9 miles from Markham, IL, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 156.9 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 50 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.9 miles or 2h 5m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Naperville, 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 225.8 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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 156.9 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.5 and 215.9 — 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
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
7
215.6 mi into trip|~3h 56m in
Take the exit toward Weber Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 263
Toward Weber Road
7
215.9 mi into trip|~3h 57m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.30 one way
$70.60 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$38.76
$77.52
premium
$4.89
$43.45
$86.91
diesel
$5.61
$49.85
$99.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.7
0
$23.71
$10.84
Efficient EV
56.5
0
$19.76
$9.03
EV Truck/SUV
90.3
1
$31.61
$14.45
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 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 14, 2026
Origin
Markham, IL
Morning
in Markham on Sunday
Local time
6:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Naperville, IL
Morning
in Naperville on Sunday
Local time
6:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Bloomington, IL
113 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
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 18m 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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 218
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward interstate sprint, as this route does not rely on a high percentage of highway travel. While you will utilize I-72 and I-55, the nature of the roads requires you to stay alert through frequent directional changes. You won't find long, monotonous stretches of straight pavement here; instead, the profile emphasizes localized navigation. This mix keeps the experience engaging, though it demands more focus than a typical high-speed highway cruise. Be prepared for a varied driving experience that shifts frequently as you transition between local roads and connecting interstates.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 156.9 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 7.5 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 225.8 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 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): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
On the drive from Markham, IL to Naperville, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Naperville is a bedroom community in the Chicagoland area. In 2008, Money magazine ranked Naperville third on its list of the 100 best places to live in the United States.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 18m. Total distance: 225.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 156.9 miles on I 55. 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.
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 Naperville, 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 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): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Naperville, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
