Markham to Pittsfield is 255.2 miles and takes about 4h 44m via Kedzie Avenue and I-80 West/I-55 South, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within the Midwest, specifically Illinois. You'll primarily be on surface roads for this drive, so expect a more local feel as you make your way through various towns. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this is a comfortable one-day excursion, perfect for a weekend getaway or a direct trip to your destination.
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
127.6 miles from Markham, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
157.8 mi
2h 50m
I 72
62.5 mi
1h 7m
I 80
28 mi
34m
US 54
5.2 mi
8m
Kedzie Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
East Adams Street
0.1 mi
<1m
163rd Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 157.8 mi, about 2h 50m
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 Pittsfield, 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 right at fork onto I 72; US 36
62 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 72; US 36
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 35Toward US 54, IL 107: Griggsville, Pittsfield
10
Turn slight left onto US 54
5.2 mi·8 min·US 54
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn right onto East Adams Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·East Adams Street
12
Arrive at destination
East Adams Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time of under five hours and a $40 fuel estimate, you have a lot of flexibility. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid any early rush hour and allow for a relaxed pace. Since this is a single-day trip with only one suggested stop, you can easily adjust your departure time. Keep an eye on your fuel level, especially as you transition from interstate to surface roads, as fuel availability can vary in smaller towns. The surface road nature of this route means you should anticipate a steady stream of traffic lights and slower speeds, so factor that into your timing.
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 127.6 miles from Markham, IL, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 157.8 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 56 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.6 miles or 2h 23m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pittsfield, 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 255.2 miles and 4h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 157.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First break
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Inexpensiv
New Lenox, Illinois
Hours: 2–9 pm
+18157178097
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 249.6 — 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
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
6
187.1 mi into trip|~3h 28m in|I 72; US 36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36 toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
6
249.6 mi into trip|~4h 35m in
Take the exit toward US 54, IL 107: Griggsville, Pittsfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 35
Toward US 54, IL 107: Griggsville, Pittsfield
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.57 one way
$85.14 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$46.45
$92.90
premium
$5.25
$52.78
$105.56
diesel
$6.28
$63.06
$126.11
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: 89.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.6
0
$26.80
$12.25
Efficient EV
63.8
0
$22.33
$10.21
EV Truck/SUV
102.1
1
$35.73
$16.33
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 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 19, 2026
Origin
Markham, IL
Night
in Markham on Friday
Local time
9:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
SSW 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Pittsfield, IL
Night
in Pittsfield on Friday
Local time
9:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Sunny
S 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
48°F
Bloomington, IL
128 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
3 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 44m 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 184.8
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 route is almost entirely surface roads, with a 0% highway share. You'll begin on Kedzie Avenue and then transition to I-80 West and I-55 South, but the bulk of your travel will be on local streets. Expect to navigate through numerous intersections and potentially deal with moderate traffic as you pass through populated areas. The absence of significant highway driving means you'll experience a more grounded perspective of the Illinois landscape.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 157.8 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 72. You will hit about 10 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 255.2 miles you will encounter 10 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 122.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
785 ft530 ft
Total Climb
607 ft
Total Descent
492 ft
Highest Point
785 ft
~109.4 mi in
Elevation Range
255 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 Pittsfield, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 44m. Total distance: 255.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 157.8 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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 Pittsfield, 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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 122.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Pittsfield, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
