Rail Splitter Rest Area - Southbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Markham, IL to Nameoki, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 3m
Distance
273.3 mi
440 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 50m
★
6 AM
5h 4m
8 AM
5h 31m
10 AM
5h 13m
12 PM
5h 11m
3 PM
5h 15m
5 PM
5h 30m
8 PM
4h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Markham, IL
Stéphane Tendon
Nameoki, IL
Sebastian Luna
Trip Overview
Markham, IL to Nameoki, IL is 273.3 miles and takes about 5h 3m via I 55, I 80, and I 270, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region. Given its mostly highway profile and under six-hour drive time, it's a straightforward option for a single-day excursion. You'll likely find it a practical choice for connecting these two points without extensive planning.
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
136.6 miles from Markham, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 230.6 mi | 4h 8m |
| I 80 | 28 mi | 34m |
| I 270 | 9.5 mi | 11m |
| Nameoki Road | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Kedzie Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Pontoon Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Rode Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 230.6 mi, about 4h 8m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,681 veh/hr typical · worst 2,233
Quietest
2 AM
~156 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Nameoki, 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 126A
Toward 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, Springfield
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
73 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 20B
Toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 270
9.5 mi
·
11 min
·
I 270
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 4
Toward IL 203: Granite City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
Toward IL 203 South: Granite City
13
Keep slight left at fork
329 ft
·
11 sec
Toward IL 203 South: Granite City
14
Turn left onto IL 203
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Nameoki Road
15
Turn left onto North Street
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
North Street
16
Turn right onto West Pontoon Road
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
West Pontoon Road
17
Turn right onto Rode Avenue
72 ft
·
3 sec
·
Rode Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
Rode Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight. You can easily complete this trip in one day, so you have flexibility with your departure time. The longest stretch without a major change is 230.6 miles on I 55, so plan your first substantial break around that point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $42, and services can be spaced out on the interstates. Staying on I 55, I 80, and I 270 for 98% of the trip means most fuel stops will be at highway exits.
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 136.6 miles from Markham, IL, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 230.6 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 60 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.6 miles or 2h 33m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nameoki, 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 273.3 miles and 5h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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 230.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
137 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 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 136.6 miles from Markham, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 230.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Homestead Rest Area - Southbound
0 mi from route
Rail Splitter Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Dixie Trucker's Home
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Coalfield Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Funks Grove Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Limestone Rest Area (Southbound)
0.1 mi from route
Limestone Rest Area (Northbound)
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Homestead Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.5 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Rest Area
0.9 mi from route
TA
1.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 122.3 and 270.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
7
260 mi into trip
|
~4h 46m in
Take the exit toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 20B
Toward I 270 West: Kansas City
7
269.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 57m in
Take the exit toward IL 203: Granite City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 4
Toward IL 203: Granite City
6
270.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 58m in
Keep slight right at fork toward IL 203 South: Granite City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward IL 203 South: Granite City
6
270.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 58m in
Keep slight left at fork toward IL 203 South: Granite City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward IL 203 South: Granite City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.45 one way
$100.91 round trip
$4.69/gal
25.4 MPG avg
96 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.33 | $57.31 | $114.61 |
| premium | $5.87 | $63.17 | $126.34 |
| diesel | $6.57 | $70.68 | $141.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.6 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82 | 1 | $28.70 | $13.12 |
| Efficient EV | 68.3 | 0 | $23.91 | $10.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 109.3 | 1 | $38.26 | $17.49 |
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Markham, IL
Evening in Markham on Sunday
Local time
5:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Sunny
SSW 10 to 15 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Nameoki, IL
Evening in Nameoki on Sunday
Local time
5:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Patchy Fog
E 1 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
53°F
Bloomington, IL
137 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
24 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 3m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 179
View on nps.gov
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely highway driving, with 98% of the 273.3 miles on interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 230.6 miles on I 55 before transitioning. Expect consistent interstate cruising for the vast majority of your travel time. The dense exit count on these major highways means frequent opportunities for services.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 230.6 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 80. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 122.3 miles in near I 55.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 273.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 122.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 260 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 269.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
798 ft
535 ft
Total Climb
395 ft
Total Descent
476 ft
Highest Point
798 ft
~117.1 mi in
Elevation Range
263 ft
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 Nameoki, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
Springfield
122.3 mi in
|
~2h 17m
|
via I 55
About the Cities
Starting in Markham, IL
Full guide →Founded 1925
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 3m. Total distance: 273.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 3m 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 230.6 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 32 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 Nameoki, 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. There are 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 122.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 260 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 269.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Nameoki, IL before the return drive.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Nameoki, IL
More trips to Nameoki, IL
Explore more options from Markham, IL or browse trips ending in Nameoki, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.