Markham, IL to Lawrenceville, IL is 245.4 miles and takes about 5h via I 57, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, traveling entirely within Illinois. Expect a straightforward drive that's mostly highway, making it a good option if you're looking for a direct route. With a recommended one-day drive, you can easily get to your destination and back without needing an overnight stay, keeping your travel plans simple.
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
122.7 miles from Markham, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
155.1 mi
2h 47m
US 50
18.7 mi
25m
North 1250th Street
13.3 mi
19m
South Van Buren Street
11 mi
15m
Route 130
10 mi
14m
County Road 1100 East
6.7 mi
9m
Illinois Route 16
6 mi
8m
North Haughton Highway
4.4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 155.1 mi, about 2h 47m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~928 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,278
Quietest
2 AM
~107 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Lawrenceville, 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
155 mi·2 hr 47 min·I 57
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Exit 190AToward IL 16 East: Charleston
8
Turn straight onto IL 16
0.7 mi·1 min·Charleston Avenue East
9
Continue on IL 16
6.0 mi·8 min·Illinois Route 16
10
Continue on IL 16
1.8 mi·2 min·West Lincoln Avenue
11
Turn right onto IL 130
1.6 mi·2 min·18th Street
12
Continue on IL 130
0.8 mi·1 min·Illinois Route 130
13
Continue on IL 130
10.0 mi·14 min·Route 130
14
Continue on IL 130
2.0 mi·2 min·County Road 1825 East
15
Continue on IL 130
0.8 mi·1 min·County Road 1775 E
16
Continue on IL 130
0.4 mi·32 sec·North Haughton Highway
17
Continue on IL 130
1.3 mi·1 min·1700E
18
Continue on IL 130
4.0 mi·5 min·North Haughton Highway
19
Continue on IL 130
2.1 mi·3 min·County Road 1700E
20
Continue on IL 130
13 mi·19 min·North 1250th Street
21
Turn left onto IL 130
11 mi·15 min·South Van Buren Street
22
Continue on IL 130
6.7 mi·9 min·County Road 1100 East
23
Continue on IL 130
1.3 mi·2 min·North West Street
24
Turn left onto West Butler Street
1.3 mi·3 min·West Butler Street
25
Turn right onto North Lincoln Avenue
481 ft·16 sec·North Lincoln Avenue
26
Turn left onto East Main Street
1.1 mi·2 min·East Main Street
27
Turn left onto US 50; IL 250
19 mi·25 min·US 50; IL 250
28
Take the exit onto US 50 Business
0.6 mi·1 min·US 50 Business
29
Continue on US 50 Business
0.7 mi·1 min·State Street
30
Arrive at destination
US 50 Business
Trip Plan
Given this is a 5-hour drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to arrive with plenty of daylight. You'll only have one recommended stop, so plan for that break strategically, perhaps midway through your longest stretch on I 57. The fuel cost is estimated at $38, so factor that into your budget. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility; if you encounter unexpected delays, you won't be stranded overnight. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition off the interstate onto less populated roads.
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 122.7 miles from Markham, IL, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 155.1 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 54 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.7 miles or 2h 14m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lawrenceville, 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 245.4 miles and 5h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 155.1 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 224.1 — 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
158.8 mi into trip|~2h 53m in
Take the exit toward IL 16 East: Charleston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 190A
Toward IL 16 East: Charleston
4
167.6 mi into trip|~3h 6m in|IL 130 / 18th Street
Turn right onto IL 130 / 18th Street
Navigation decision point
4
224.1 mi into trip|~4h 30m in|North Lincoln Avenue
Turn right onto North Lincoln Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.94 one way
$81.87 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$44.66
$89.33
premium
$5.25
$50.75
$101.50
diesel
$6.28
$60.64
$121.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.6
0
$25.77
$11.78
Efficient EV
61.4
0
$21.47
$9.82
EV Truck/SUV
98.2
1
$34.36
$15.71
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 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 Oct 23, 2026
Origin
Markham, IL
Morning
in Markham on Saturday
Local time
6:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued October 23 at 1:50AM CDT until October 23 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Lawrenceville, IL
Morning
in Lawrenceville on Saturday
Local time
6:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Clear
ENE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued October 23 at 1:50AM CDT until October 23 at 9:00AM 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
4 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
5h 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 primarily on highways, with 79% of the route utilizing them. You'll experience a solid 155.1 miles on I 57, offering a consistent cruising experience. After this long stretch, the route transitions to surface roads like US 50 and North 1250th Street, which will likely feel more rural. Be prepared for a change in pace as you move from the efficiency of the interstate to local roads.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 155.1 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and US 50. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 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 158.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The longest stretch is about 155.1 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 23 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 23 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 158.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lawrenceville, IL before the return drive.
