Markham, IL to De Soto, IL is 305.7 miles and takes about 5h 39m via I 57, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Midwest region, specifically Illinois, offering a straightforward connection between two points in the state. The drive is predominantly highway, making it a practical choice for those prioritizing efficiency. With a recommended one-day drive, you can expect a relatively quick trip without the need for an overnight stay. It's a solid option if you need to get from the northern part of Illinois to the southern part without much fuss.
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
152.9 miles from Markham, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
252.8 mi
4h 32m
Ken Gray Expressway
32.7 mi
35m
Herrin Road
6.6 mi
9m
Russell Street
5.1 mi
7m
East Herrin Street
3.1 mi
5m
I 80
2.3 mi
3m
Cambria Road
1.5 mi
2m
Kedzie Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 252.8 mi, about 4h 32m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,073 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,461
Quietest
2 AM
~180 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 99 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 De Soto, 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
187 mi·3 hr 22 min·I 57
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 57
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
33 mi·35 min·Ken Gray Expressway
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward Johnston City, Herrin
10
Turn right onto Herrin Road
3.1 mi·4 min·Herrin Road
11
Continue on East Herrin Street
3.1 mi·5 min·East Herrin Street
12
Continue on Herrin Road
3.5 mi·5 min·Herrin Road
13
Enter roundabout onto Cambria Road
35 ft·0 sec·Cambria Road
14
Continue on Cambria Road
1.5 mi·2 min·Cambria Road
15
Turn left onto IL 149
5.1 mi·7 min·Russell Street
16
Turn left onto US 51
39 ft·0 sec·United States Highway 51
17
Arrive at destination
US 51
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 39m drive, consider leaving in the morning to ensure you have ample daylight. Since it's a one-day trip, you can be flexible with your timing. The longest stretch is over 250 miles on I 57, so plan for a fuel and rest stop before you begin that segment, perhaps before you hit the 200-mile mark. While the fuel cost is estimated at $47, it's always wise to check current prices. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the latter part of the drive when you're off the main interstate.
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 152.9 miles from Markham, IL, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 252.8 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 67 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.9 miles or 2h 47m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near De Soto, 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 305.7 miles and 5h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 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 252.8 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 289.1 — 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.
5
190.7 mi into trip|~3h 27m in|I 57
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
4
256.4 mi into trip|~4h 38m in|I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
289.1 mi into trip|~5h 13m in
Take the exit toward Johnston City, Herrin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Johnston City, Herrin
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.99 one way
$101.99 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$55.42
$110.85
premium
$5.26
$63.29
$126.59
diesel
$6.18
$74.37
$148.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.7
1
$32.10
$14.67
Efficient EV
76.4
0
$26.75
$12.23
EV Truck/SUV
122.3
1
$42.80
$19.56
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Markham, IL
Evening
in Markham on Saturday
Local time
5:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Partly Cloudy
N 10 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:24AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:22AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
De Soto, IL
Evening
in De Soto on Saturday
Local time
5:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Mostly Clear
N 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:24AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:22AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
49°F
Shelbyville, IL
153 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 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 39m 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 trip is heavily highway-focused, with 94% of the 305.7 miles on major roads like I 57. You'll experience a long stretch of 252.8 miles primarily on I 57, which means consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads, including Ken Gray Expressway and Herrin Road, will occur later in the drive, likely around mile 53. Expect a steady pace with fewer interruptions on the interstate portion.
94% 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: 252.8 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
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 305.7 miles you will encounter 12 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 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 190.7 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
788 ft381 ft
Total Climb
297 ft
Total Descent
517 ft
Highest Point
788 ft
~87.4 mi in
Elevation Range
408 ft
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 De Soto, IL, road signs point toward Johnston City and Herrin.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 39m. Total distance: 305.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 252.8 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 40 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 40 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 190.7 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at De Soto, IL before the return drive.
