Markham, IL to Moro, IL is 261.5 miles and takes about 4h 55m via I 55 and I 80, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Illinois, taking you through the Midwest region. It's a mostly highway trip, making it a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day duration, it's ideal for a quick transit or a day trip.
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
130.8 miles from Markham, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
220.4 mi
3h 57m
I 80
28 mi
34m
State Route 140
6.3 mi
8m
Moro Road
2.6 mi
6m
North State Route 159
1.6 mi
2m
East State Street
0.7 mi
1m
Kedzie Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
East Moro Drive
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 220.4 mi, about 3h 57m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,743 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,333
Quietest
2 AM
~157 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Moro, 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
28 mi·34 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 126AToward I 55 South: Saint Louis
6
Merge onto I 55
93 mi·1 hr 40 min·I 55
Use the right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
65 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, SpringfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
63 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward IL 140: Alton, Greenville
10
Turn right onto IL 140
0.7 mi·1 min·East State Street
11
Continue on IL 140
6.3 mi·8 min·State Route 140
12
Turn right onto IL 159
1.6 mi·2 min·North State Route 159
13
Turn left onto Moro Road
2.6 mi·6 min·Moro Road
14
Continue on East Moro Drive
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Moro Drive
15
Turn right onto North Main Street
0.1 mi·29 sec·North Main Street
16
Turn left onto West Bender Street
115 ft·5 sec·West Bender Street
17
Arrive at destination
West Bender Street
Trip Plan
For this 4h 55m drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. The longest stretch without a major exit is 220.4 miles on I 55, so ensure you're fueled up before embarking on that segment. With a fuel cost estimated around $40, it's an economical trip. Since it's a single-day drive, you have the flexibility to stop as needed, but plan any breaks before entering the longest highway segment.
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 130.8 miles from Markham, IL, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 220.4 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 58 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.8 miles or 2h 27m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Moro, 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 261.5 miles and 4h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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 55 for about 220.4 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 1 and 187.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1 mi into trip|~2m in|I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5
29 mi into trip|~36m in
Take the exit toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 126A
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
5
29.3 mi into trip|~37m in|I 55
Merge onto I 55
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
122.3 mi into trip|~2h 17m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
5
187.1 mi into trip|~3h 28m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.25 one way
$86.50 round trip
$4.20/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.56
$46.97
$93.93
premium
$5.23
$53.84
$107.69
diesel
$6.20
$63.82
$127.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-05.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.5
0
$27.46
$12.55
Efficient EV
65.4
0
$22.88
$10.46
EV Truck/SUV
104.6
1
$36.61
$16.74
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
31 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 11, 2026
Origin
Markham, IL
Morning
in Markham on Monday
Local time
6:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Moro, IL
Morning
in Moro on Monday
Local time
6:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Bloomington, IL
131 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
10 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 55m 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.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 180.4
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 predominantly on highways, with 98% of the 261.5 miles covered on I 55 and I 80. You'll experience a long stretch of 220.4 miles on I 55 before transitioning to State Route 140. Expect frequent exits and merges as you navigate the interstate system for most of your travel time.
98% 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: 220.4 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 80. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near I 80.
Driving Effort6/10
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 261.5 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 1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 29 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 29.3 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
824 ft526 ft
Total Climb
450 ft
Total Descent
537 ft
Highest Point
824 ft
~112.1 mi in
Elevation Range
298 ft
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 Moro, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 55m. Total distance: 261.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 220.4 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Moro, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 29 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 29.3 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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 Moro, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
