Markham, IL to Fairfield, IL is 248 miles and takes about 4h 54m via I 57, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically within Illinois, making it a straightforward point-to-point drive. With the majority of the route on a major interstate, it's a practical choice for those looking to get from point A to point B without significant detours. The drive is efficient, and you can expect to cover a good distance in under five hours of pure driving time. Plan for a single day to complete this journey comfortably.
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
124 miles from Markham, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m 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 1600E
11 mi
16m
County Road 1400 E
10.4 mi
15m
US 45
5.8 mi
7m
I 80
2.3 mi
3m
County Road 1800N
1.4 mi
2m
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 Fairfield, 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
6.4 mi·9 min·County Road 1600E
20
Turn left onto US 45
57 ft·0 sec·South 1st Street
21
Arrive at destination
US 45
Trip Plan
For this 4h 54m drive, departing in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach Fairfield, IL. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but aim to leave by mid-morning to avoid rush hour around Markham. The longest stretch without a major turn-off is 182.1 miles on I 57, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point or a bit before you anticipate needing a break. The estimated fuel cost is $38, so keep that in mind when budgeting for the trip. One suggested stop on I 57 would be around the Effingham area, which is roughly past the halfway mark and offers numerous services.
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 124 miles from Markham, IL, or about 2h 15m 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 55 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124 miles or 2h 15m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairfield, 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 248 miles and 4h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 223.2 — 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
4
223.2 mi into trip|~4h 17m in|US 45 / County Road 1400 E
Turn right onto US 45 / County Road 1400 E
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.83 one way
$75.67 round trip
$3.88/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.27
$41.67
$83.34
premium
$4.81
$46.92
$93.85
diesel
$5.40
$52.75
$105.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.4
0
$26.04
$11.90
Efficient EV
62
0
$21.70
$9.92
EV Truck/SUV
99.2
1
$34.72
$15.87
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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 26, 2026
Origin
Markham, IL
Late night
in Markham on Sunday
Local time
1:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Mostly Cloudy then Patchy Fog
ENE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 9:00PM CDT until April 29 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Fairfield, IL
Late night
in Fairfield on Sunday
Local time
1:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
NE 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 9:00PM CDT until April 29 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
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
11 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
4h 54m 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 drive is mostly highway, with 77% of the 248 miles on interstates like I 57. You'll experience a long stretch of 182.1 miles on I 57, offering a consistent cruising experience. The profile is mostly highway, meaning you'll encounter fewer turns and more straightforward travel for the bulk of the trip. Near the end, you'll transition to roads like County Road 925 East and South Banker Street, marking the shift from interstate speeds to more local road travel.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 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 4h 54m drive. You will face about 11 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 Fairfield, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Effingham along the way.
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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Fairfield, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
