Origin
Markham, IL
Late night in Markham on Tuesday
Local time
5:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Markham, IL to Elburn, 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
1h 18m
Distance
59.5 mi
96 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 12m
★
6 AM
1h 18m
8 AM
1h 30m
10 AM
1h 22m
12 PM
1h 21m
3 PM
1h 23m
5 PM
1h 30m
8 PM
1h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Markham, IL
Stéphane Tendon
Elburn, IL
Helena Jankovičová Kováčová
Trip Overview
Markham to Elburn is 59.5 miles and takes about 1 hour 18 minutes via Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $9 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Expect a local feel with frequent turns, making it less of a straightforward highway cruise and more of an engaged drive. It’s a short enough trip that you can easily fit it into a single day, offering flexibility for when you want to depart or if you decide to add a quick stop along the way.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway | 28.7 mi | 34m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 20.1 mi | 24m |
| IL 47 | 5.2 mi | 8m |
| Kedzie Avenue | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| West 147th Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| 163rd Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East North Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
— 28.7 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Markham, IL and Elburn, IL.
1
Start on 163rd Street
64 ft
·
10 sec
·
163rd Street
2
Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Kedzie Avenue
3
Turn right onto IL 83
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
West 147th Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 8
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 294
20 mi
·
24 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
1.5 mi
·
3 min
Exit 29
Toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 138
Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
24 mi
·
29 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Toward I 88 Toll West, IL 47: DeKalb
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 109
Toward IL 47
Use the slight right lane.
11
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
this road
Exit 109
Toward IL 47
12
Keep slight right at fork
196 ft
·
7 sec
Exit 109
Toward IL 47
Use the right lane.
13
Turn right onto IL 47
5.2 mi
·
8 min
·
IL 47
Use the right lane.
14
Turn right onto East North Street
35 ft
·
1 sec
·
East North Street
15
Arrive at destination
East North Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
30 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 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 29.7 miles from Markham, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 135 decision points cluster between mile 2.7 and 54.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
2.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Turn left toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Exit 8
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
7
23.4 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Take the exit toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 29
Toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora
8
24.9 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 138
Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
7
53.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
Take the exit toward IL 47
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 109
Toward IL 47
9
54.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward IL 47
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 109
Toward IL 47
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.30 one way
$18.60 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $10.21 | $20.43 |
| premium | $4.89 | $11.45 | $22.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.14 | $26.27 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.93
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(28.7 mi)
$1.72
Tri-state Tollway
(20.1 mi)
$1.21
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Tolls
$3
Total
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.8 | 0 | $6.25 | $2.86 |
| Efficient EV | 14.9 | 0 | $5.21 | $2.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.8 | 0 | $8.33 | $3.81 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Destination
Elburn, IL
Late night in Elburn on Tuesday
Local time
5:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1h 18m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is characterized by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll be navigating a series of turns rather than enjoying long stretches of open highway. While 9% of the route involves highways like the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway and Tri-State Tollway, the majority of your time will be spent on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 28.7 miles on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, offering a brief period of more consistent speed before you transition back to a more varied driving experience. Be prepared to adjust your speed and attention frequently as you make your way through the landscape.
Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.7 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 59.5 miles you will encounter 13 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 2.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 23.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.9 miles: 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.
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 Elburn, IL, road signs begin pointing toward 22Nd Street (Cermak Road) along the way.
22Nd Street (Cermak Road)
24.9 mi in
|
~34m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 18m. Total distance: 59.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28.7 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.93 in tolls one way, starting with Reagan Memorial Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 5 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 Elburn, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 23.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Elburn, IL before heading back.
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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