Markham, IL to Alorton, IL is 278.9 miles and takes about 5h 10m via I 55 and I 80, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Illinois, connecting two points in the Midwest. Given its relatively short duration and predominantly highway profile, it's a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day. You'll spend almost all your time on major interstates, making it a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
139.4 miles from Markham, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
239.8 mi
4h 19m
I 80
28 mi
34m
I 255
7 mi
8m
New Missouri Avenue
0.6 mi
<1m
Kedzie Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
North 42nd Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Old Missouri Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
163rd Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 239.8 mi, about 4h 19m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,733 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,150
Quietest
2 AM
~161 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Markham, IL and Alorton, 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
28 mi·34 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 126AToward I 55 South: Saint Louis
6
Merge onto I 55
93 mi·1 hr 40 min·I 55
Use the right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
65 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, SpringfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
82 mi·1 hr 28 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 10Toward I 255: Memphis, Interstate 270
10
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Toward I 255 South: Memphis
11
Merge onto I 255
7.0 mi·8 min·I 255
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 17BToward IL 15 West: Missouri Avenue, East Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto IL 15
0.6 mi·51 sec·New Missouri Avenue
14
Turn left onto IL 163
492 ft·22 sec·Old Missouri Avenue
15
Turn right onto North 42nd Street
0.1 mi·19 sec·North 42nd Street
16
Turn left onto East Broadway
19 ft·0 sec·East Broadway
17
Arrive at destination
East Broadway
Trip Plan
For this 5h 10m drive, consider leaving early in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially as you approach the St. Louis metropolitan area near Alorton. With a fuel cost estimated at $43, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, though the longest stretch of 239.8 miles on I 55 shouldn't pose an issue for most vehicles. Since this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to stop as needed, but planning your one recommended stop strategically around the halfway point might break up the drive nicely. Remember that you'll be on interstates for nearly the entire route, so plan your rest stops accordingly, as they will likely be at designated service areas.
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 139.4 miles from Markham, IL, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 239.8 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 61 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.4 miles or 2h 36m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alorton, 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 278.9 miles and 5h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 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 239.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First break
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
Inexpensiv
New Lenox, Illinois
Hours: 2–9 pm
+18157178097
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 277.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1 mi into trip|~2m in|I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
122.3 mi into trip|~2h 17m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
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 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
7
187.1 mi into trip|~3h 28m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
6
269.2 mi into trip|~4h 56m in
Take the exit toward I 255: Memphis, Interstate 270
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 10
Toward I 255: Memphis, Interstate 270
8
277.6 mi into trip|~5h 7m in
Take the exit toward IL 15 West: Missouri Avenue, East Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 17B
Toward IL 15 West: Missouri Avenue, East Saint...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.55 one way
$85.10 round trip
$3.88/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.27
$46.86
$93.73
premium
$4.81
$52.77
$105.54
diesel
$5.40
$59.33
$118.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
EV Charging Along Route
30 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Bloomington, Illinois
Other
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Normal, Illinois
Other
1 DCFC
Rivian Waypoints
Normal, Illinois
Rivian
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Normal, Illinois
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Normal, Illinois
Tesla
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Bloomington, Illinois
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Normal, Illinois
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Bloomington, Illinois
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
Other: 11
ChargePoint: 9
Tesla: 3
Rivian: 2
Tesla Destination: 2
Electrify America: 1
EV Connect: 1
Shell Recharge: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.7
1
$29.28
$13.39
Efficient EV
69.7
0
$24.40
$11.16
EV Truck/SUV
111.6
1
$39.05
$17.85
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% 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 26, 2026
Origin
Markham, IL
Morning
in Markham on Sunday
Local time
11:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
E 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 26 at 4:59AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 26 at 4:55AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Alorton, IL
Morning
in Alorton on Sunday
Local time
11:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
44°F
Delavan, IL
139 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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 10m 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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 182.7
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 drive is almost entirely on the highway, with a 99% highway share. You’ll be on I 55 for the longest continuous stretch, covering 239.8 miles. Expect a continuous flow of traffic and numerous exits as you navigate through urban and suburban areas. The transition to surface roads will be minimal, occurring only in the final moments of your trip.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 239.8 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 80. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near I 80.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 278.9 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 1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 187.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Alorton, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
Springfield
122.3 mi in|~2h 17m|via I 55
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 10m. Total distance: 278.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 239.8 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 32 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Alorton, 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. There are 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 187.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Alorton, IL before the return drive.
