Markham, IL to Cincinnati, IL is 255.7 miles and takes about 5h 9m via I 57, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, entirely within Illinois, making it a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day trip duration, it's a route suited for those looking for an efficient journey without extensive overnight stays. The drive is primarily on major highways, offering a consistent pace for most of the way.
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
127.8 miles from Markham, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
182.1 mi
3h 16m
County Road 925 East
16.2 mi
24m
South Banker Street
14.9 mi
22m
County Road 1400 E
10.4 mi
15m
County Road 1600E
8.5 mi
12m
IL 15
7.1 mi
10m
US 45
5.8 mi
7m
I 80
2.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 182.1 mi, about 3h 16m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~783 veh/hr typical
Quietest
3 AM
~77 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 5 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 Cincinnati, 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
182 mi·3 hr 16 min·I 57
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 162Toward US 45: Sigel, Effingham
8
Turn left onto US 45
1.9 mi·2 min·US 45
9
Turn right onto US 40; US 45; IL 33
0.2 mi·32 sec·East Fayette Avenue
10
Turn left onto US 45
15 mi·22 min·South Banker Street
11
Continue on US 45
16 mi·24 min·County Road 925 East
12
Turn slight left
135 ft·5 sec
13
Merge onto US 45; US 50
3.9 mi·4 min·US 45; US 50
14
Turn right onto US 45
10 mi·15 min·County Road 1400 E
15
Continue on US 45
0.9 mi·1 min·Central Street
16
Continue on US 45
1.4 mi·2 min·County Road 1800N
17
Turn straight onto US 45
4.6 mi·6 min·County Road 1600E
18
Continue on US 45
1.0 mi·1 min·Washington Street
19
Continue on US 45
3.9 mi·5 min·County Road 1600E
20
Turn sharp right onto IL 15
7.1 mi·10 min·IL 15
21
Turn right onto 900E
2.0 mi·4 min·900E
22
Turn right onto County Road 1000N
1.0 mi·3 min·County Road 1000N
23
Arrive at destination
County Road 1000N
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour drive time, departing in the morning will allow you to reach Cincinnati, IL with plenty of daylight to spare. The longest stretch without a major road change is over 180 miles on I 57, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before you get too low, especially since the estimated fuel cost is around $39. While this is a manageable one-day trip, the flexibility means you could stop more often if desired. Keep an eye on your GPS as you transition off I 57 onto County Road 925 East and South Banker Street for the final approach.
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 127.8 miles from Markham, IL, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 182.1 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 56 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.8 miles or 2h 19m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cincinnati, 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 255.7 miles and 5h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 182.1 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 245.5 — 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.
6
185.7 mi into trip|~3h 22m in
Take the exit toward US 45: Sigel, Effingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 162
Toward US 45: Sigel, Effingham
4
188 mi into trip|~3h 25m in|US 40; US 45; IL 33 / East Fayette Avenue
Turn right onto US 40; US 45; IL 33 / East Fayette Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
245.5 mi into trip|~4h 50m in|IL 15
Turn sharp right onto IL 15
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.96 one way
$79.91 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.37
$43.98
$87.96
premium
$4.88
$49.11
$98.21
diesel
$5.35
$53.87
$107.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-27.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.7
0
$26.85
$12.27
Efficient EV
63.9
0
$22.37
$10.23
EV Truck/SUV
102.3
1
$35.80
$16.36
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% 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 25, 2026
Origin
Markham, IL
Late night
in Markham on Wednesday
Local time
2:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Mostly Cloudy
NNE 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 9:36PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 9:32PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Cincinnati, IL
Late night
in Cincinnati on Wednesday
Local time
2:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Cloudy
NNW 2 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 9:36PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 9:32PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
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
5h 9m 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?
This route is mostly highway, with 77% of the drive on interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 182.1 miles on I 57 before transitioning to county roads and surface streets. Expect a significant amount of highway cruising, with frequent exits likely as you approach your destination. The change from Interstate to local roads will mark the final leg of your trip.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 182.1 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and County Road 925 East. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 9m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 185.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Cincinnati, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Effingham along the way.
Effingham
185.7 mi in|~3h 22m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Cincinnati is Ohio's third largest city and the largest metro region, and lies on the north bank of the Ohio River in Southwest Ohio in the United States of America.
Cincinnati is distinct amongst Midwestern cities. Its culture is a mixture of the Northeast, Old South, Midwest, and Appalachia blended with a strong German-Catholic heritage. It was one of the United States' early boomtowns, and the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood is the largest National Historic District in the country. Today, it's part of a fast-growing metro area, and home to a remarkable blend of industry and architecture. Downtown Cincinnati is surrounded by picturesque foothills that add a beautiful backdrop to the Queen City and its legendary skyline – celebrated in the opening credits of television show WKRP in Cincinnati.
Top landmarks
•Carew Tower — skyscraper in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
•Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains — cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati in downtown Cincinnati...
•Cincinnati Observatory — other organization in Cincinnati, United States
The longest stretch is about 182.1 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 28 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.
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 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 185.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cincinnati, IL before the return drive.
