Origin
Markham, IL
Late night in Markham on Tuesday
Local time
3:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Markham, IL to Auburn, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 48m
Distance
203.5 mi
328 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 36m
★
6 AM
3h 49m
8 AM
4h 14m
10 AM
3h 58m
12 PM
3h 55m
3 PM
3h 59m
5 PM
4h 13m
8 PM
3h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Markham, IL
Stéphane Tendon
Auburn, IL
Dominik Gryzbon
Trip Overview
Markham, IL to Auburn, IL is 203.5 miles and takes about 3h 48m via I 55 and I 80, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest region, specifically within Illinois, making it a straightforward trip. You'll spend almost all your time on highways, so expect a focused, efficient journey. With a recommended single day for travel, this route is ideal for getting from point A to point B without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
101.8 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 55 | 168.3 mi | 3h 1m |
| I 80 | 28 mi | 34m |
| IL 104 | 5.2 mi | 7m |
| Kedzie Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South 5th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 163rd Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| North 5th Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 168.3 mi, about 3h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Markham, IL and Auburn, 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 126A
Toward 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, Springfield
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
11 mi
·
11 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
Toward IL 104: Pawnee, Auburn
10
Turn right onto IL 104
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
IL 104
11
Turn right onto South 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
South 5th Street
12
Arrive at destination
North 5th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 48m duration, this trip is easily completed in a single day. Aim to leave in the morning to allow for any unexpected delays. You'll only need one planned stop, so consider where you'll refuel and take a break during that longest stretch on I 55. The $32 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting, but always monitor your gauge, especially before heading into longer highway segments. Since it's a relatively short, highway-dominant drive, flexibility is your friend.
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 101.8 miles from Markham, IL, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 168.3 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 45 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.8 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Auburn, 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 203.5 miles and 3h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 168.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
102 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 101.8 miles from Markham, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 168.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 187.1 — 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.
5
29 mi into trip
|
~36m in
Take the exit toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 126A
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
5
29.3 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
I 55
Merge onto I 55
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
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
5
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
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.81 one way
$63.63 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $34.93 | $69.86 |
| premium | $4.89 | $39.16 | $78.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.93 | $89.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.1 | 0 | $21.37 | $9.77 |
| Efficient EV | 50.9 | 0 | $17.81 | $8.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.4 | 1 | $28.49 | $13.02 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Auburn, IL
Late night in Auburn on Tuesday
Local time
3:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Bloomington, IL
102 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
3h 48m 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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 182.5
View on nps.gov
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with a 99% highway share. You'll be on major interstates for the vast majority of the 203.5 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 168.3 miles, primarily on I 55. This means you're looking at a consistent pace for most of the journey. Expect efficient travel without many detours or slower local roads.
99% 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: 168.3 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 80. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near I 80.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 203.5 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 1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 29 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 29.3 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
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 Auburn, 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 3h 48m. Total distance: 203.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 48m 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 168.3 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 Auburn, 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 1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 29 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 29.3 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Auburn, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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