Spanning 195.9 miles across the Illinois landscape, this trip from Markham to York is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 25 minutes. Since the drive is designed for a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Expect to spend roughly $30 on fuel, making this a budget-friendly option for a weekend getaway or a necessary commute. You will navigate through the heart of the Midwest, transitioning between major thoroughfares and local roads. Because it is a manageable distance, you have the flexibility to head out early and arrive well before sunset.
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
98 miles from Markham, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 72
71.9 mi
1h 18m
South State Route 121
33.8 mi
48m
I 70
16 mi
17m
East Angling Road
13.7 mi
24m
Route 130
10 mi
14m
US Highway 67
6.4 mi
6m
Illinois Route 16
6 mi
8m
Dewitt Avenue
5.8 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 72
— 71.9 mi, about 1h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Markham, IL and York, 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
42 mi·45 min·I 72; US 36
5
Take the exit onto I 72; US 36
30 mi·32 min·I 72; US 36
Toward I 72 East, US 36 East: Decatur
6
Take the exit onto US 36
0.3 mi·40 sec·US 36
Exit 133Toward US 36 East, US 51 South: Decatur, Pana
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 133BToward US 51 South: Pana
8
Merge onto US 51
5.0 mi·5 min·US 51
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward Decatur, Elwin, Mount Zion
10
Turn slight left
112 ft·2 sec
11
Turn left onto US 51 Business
0.3 mi·38 sec·South Business Route 51
12
Turn left onto CTH 20
4.2 mi·5 min·West Elwin Road
13
Continue on CTH 30
1.8 mi·3 min·West Main Street
14
Turn right onto IL 121
34 mi·48 min·South State Route 121
15
Continue on IL 121
5.8 mi·9 min·Dewitt Avenue
16
Turn right onto Lerna Road
0.5 mi·55 sec·Lerna Road
17
Turn left onto IL 16
6.0 mi·8 min·Illinois Route 16
18
Continue on IL 16
1.8 mi·2 min·West Lincoln Avenue
19
Turn right onto IL 130
1.6 mi·2 min·18th Street
20
Continue on IL 130
0.8 mi·1 min·Illinois Route 130
21
Continue on IL 130
10.0 mi·14 min·Route 130
22
Continue on IL 130
2.0 mi·2 min·County Road 1825 East
23
Continue on IL 130
0.8 mi·1 min·County Road 1775 E
24
Continue on IL 130
0.4 mi·32 sec·North Haughton Highway
25
Continue on IL 130
1.3 mi·1 min·1700E
26
Continue on IL 130
0.4 mi·37 sec·North Haughton Highway
27
Turn left
0.3 mi·39 sec
28
Merge onto I 70
16 mi·17 min·I 70
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward Martinsville
30
Turn right onto North Cleone Road
0.6 mi·1 min·North Cleone Road
31
Continue on North York Street
1.9 mi·3 min·North York Street
32
Continue on East Angling Road
4.8 mi·8 min·East Angling Road
33
Continue on East Angling Road
9.0 mi·15 min·East Angling Road
34
Turn right onto IL 1
3.3 mi·5 min·IL 1
35
Turn sharp left onto East 150th Road
1.9 mi·7 min·East 150th Road
36
Continue on West Broadway Street
0.2 mi·1 min·West Broadway Street
37
Turn left onto North York Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·North York Street
38
Arrive at destination
North York Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 25-minute trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the journey. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic fluctuations along your primary highway arteries. Since your longest stretch is 71.9 miles on I-72, try to time your break either just before or immediately after this segment to keep your energy levels steady. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the trip, as the $30 estimate assumes efficient driving conditions. Utilizing that single planned stop effectively will ensure you reach York feeling refreshed and ready for your arrival.
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 98 miles from Markham, IL, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.9 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 43 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98 miles or 1h 55m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near York, 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 195.9 miles and 4h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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 72 for about 71.9 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 49.7 and 193.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
49.7 mi into trip|~57m in|I 72; US 36
Take the exit onto I 72; US 36 toward I 72 East, US 36 East: Decatur
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 72 East, US 36 East: Decatur
6
79.7 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|US 36
Take the exit onto US 36 toward US 36 East, US 51 South: Decatur, Pana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 133
Toward US 36 East, US 51 South: Decatur, Pana
6
80 mi into trip|~1h 30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 51 South: Pana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 133B
Toward US 51 South: Pana
5
85.6 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward Decatur, Elwin, Mount Zion
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Decatur, Elwin, Mount Zion
5
193.6 mi into trip|~4h 16m in|East 150th Road
Turn sharp left onto East 150th Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.63 one way
$61.25 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$33.63
$67.25
premium
$4.89
$37.70
$75.40
diesel
$5.61
$43.25
$86.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.8
0
$20.57
$9.40
Efficient EV
49
0
$17.14
$7.84
EV Truck/SUV
78.4
0
$27.43
$12.54
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% 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
3:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
York, IL
Late night
in York on Tuesday
Local time
3:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
Bethany, IL
98 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
29 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 25m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 78% of the journey spent on highways, this route is primarily a high-speed interstate experience. You will rely heavily on I-72, I-70, and South State Route 121 to cover the bulk of your mileage. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on I-72, where you can settle in for 71.9 miles of consistent driving. While the highway portions move quickly, the transition to local roads provides a shift in pace that prevents the drive from feeling like a monotonous grind. Prepare for a mix of fast-paced transit and more measured navigation as you transition between these road types.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71.9 mi on I 72.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 72 and South State Route 121. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 49.7 miles in near I 72; US 36.
Driving Effort6/10
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 195.9 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 49.7 miles (I 72; US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.7 miles (US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 York, IL, road signs point toward Pana, Decatur, Elwin, Mount Zion and Martinsville.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 25m. Total distance: 195.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 71.9 miles on I 72. 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 York, 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 49.7 miles (I 72; US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.7 miles (US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at York, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
