Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Markham, IL to Wilmette, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

58m

Distance

40.9 mi

66 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$6

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 14 min
4 AM
0h 54m ★
6 AM
0h 59m
8 AM
1h 8m
10 AM
1h 2m
12 PM
1h 1m
3 PM
1h 3m
5 PM
1h 8m
8 PM
0h 56m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Markham, IL, IL

Markham, IL

Stéphane Tendon

village in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Wilmette, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 40.9-mile journey from Markham, IL to Wilmette, IL takes approximately 58 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll navigate primarily via Kedzie Avenue and West 159th Street, with a stretch on I-57 North. With a low estimated fuel cost of $6, this drive is quite economical. The route offers a turn-heavy local feel, so don't expect a high-speed cruise. Since it's a short trip within Illinois, it's easily manageable in a single day, allowing for a relaxed pace. This drive stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent regional experience.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 57 10.1 mi 13m
Kennedy Expressway 8.2 mi 11m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) 7.9 mi 11m
Edens Expressway 7.6 mi 9m
Dan Ryan Expressway 3.3 mi 4m
Glenview Road 0.8 mi 1m
West 159th Street 0.5 mi 1m
Wilmette Avenue 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 57 — 10.1 mi, about 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Markham, IL and Wilmette, IL.

1

Start on 163rd Street

64 ft · 10 sec · 163rd Street
2

Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue

0.5 mi · 52 sec · Kedzie Avenue
3

Turn left onto US 6

0.5 mi · 1 min · West 159th Street
Use the left lane.
4

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 57 North: Chicago, I-294 North
5

Merge onto I 57

10 mi · 13 min · I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Continue on I 94

3.3 mi · 4 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94

7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 90; I 94

8.2 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on I 94

7.6 mi · 9 min · Edens Expressway
Toward I 94 West: Milwaukee Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Exit 35 Toward Old Orchard Road Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight right at fork

286 ft · 7 sec
12

Turn straight onto Old Orchard Road

0.4 mi · 48 sec · Old Orchard Road
13

Turn left onto US 41

0.4 mi · 56 sec · Skokie Boulevard
Use the left lane.
14

Turn right onto Glenview Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · Glenview Road
15

Continue on Wilmette Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Wilmette Avenue
16

Arrive at destination

Wilmette Avenue

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown chicago-il

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Chicago, IL

20 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

Evanston, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 40.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Chicago, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 20.5 miles from Markham, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 38.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Kedzie Avenue

Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
1.6 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 57

Merge onto I 57

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
15 mi into trip | ~21m in | I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Roa...
7
38.7 mi into trip | ~54m in

Take the exit toward Old Orchard Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 35 Toward Old Orchard Road
5
38.8 mi into trip | ~54m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$6.39 one way

$12.79 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 14 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $7.02 $14.04
premium $4.89 $7.87 $15.74
diesel $5.61 $9.03 $18.06

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$6

Estimated CO2 emission: 14.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 12.3 0 $4.29 $1.96
Efficient EV 10.2 0 $3.58 $1.64
EV Truck/SUV 16.4 0 $5.73 $2.62

Gas CO2

14 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (64% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 14, 2026

Origin

Markham, IL

Evening in Markham on Sunday

Local time

6:32 PM

CDT

Current temp

82°F

Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms

SSW 15 mph 39% chance Live forecast

Tornado Watch

Tornado Watch issued April 14 at 2:35PM CDT until April 14 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Tornado Watch

Tornado Watch issued April 14 at 2:33PM CDT until April 14 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL

Destination

Wilmette, IL

Evening in Wilmette on Sunday

Local time

6:32 PM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

36 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

58m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for most of this 40.9-mile route, as indicated by the 0% highway share. The longest uninterrupted stretch is not specified, but the profile suggests frequent intersections and changes in direction rather than long, open roads. You'll primarily be on surface streets like Kedzie Avenue and West 159th Street, with a portion utilizing I-57 North. This means you'll experience typical urban and suburban driving, with traffic lights and local road conditions shaping your experience behind the wheel.

91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 10.1 mi on I 57.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Kennedy Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Kedzie Avenue.

Driving Effort 8/10

Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 40.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 58m.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Kedzie Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 15 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 58m. Total distance: 40.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

58m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 10.1 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Wilmette, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Kedzie Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 15 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Wilmette, IL before heading back.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Wilmette, IL

North Peoria, IL 178.2 mi · 3h 33m Joliet, IL 54.9 mi · 1h 21m

More from Markham, IL

Anna, IL 324.1 mi · 5h 53m Quincy, IL 295.8 mi · 5h 33m Shiloh, IL 279.9 mi · 5h 10m Fairview Heights, IL 274.9 mi · 5h 9m Barry, IL 265.6 mi · 4h 53m Saint Rose, IL 265.4 mi · 4h 57m

More trips to Wilmette, IL

Des Plaines, IL 10.7 mi
Escape planner: Markham, IL Scenic drives in IL

Explore more options from Markham, IL or browse trips ending in Wilmette, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.