Mason City, IL to Markham, IL is 169.7 miles and takes about 3h 17m via I 55, I 80, and North Peoria Street, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest to Midwest journey is primarily a highway-focused drive, making it a straightforward trip. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, so expect a consistent pace. Given its relatively short duration and highway nature, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
84.8 miles from Mason City, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
123.7 mi
2h 12m
I 80
27.6 mi
34m
North Peoria Street
9.3 mi
15m
West Chestnut Street
6.8 mi
10m
Kedzie Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
163rd Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 123.7 mi, about 2h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mason City, IL and Markham, IL.
1
Start on IL 10
6.8 mi·10 min·West Chestnut Street
2
Continue on IL 10
9.3 mi·15 min·North Peoria Street
3
Turn left
0.5 mi·1 min
4
Merge onto I 55
0.5 mi·32 sec·I 55
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
94 mi·1 hr 40 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 250AToward I 80 East: IndianaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 80
28 mi·34 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 154Toward Kedzie AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·Kedzie Avenue
11
Turn left onto 163rd Street
64 ft·2 sec·163rd Street
12
Arrive at destination
163rd Street
Trip Plan
For this 169.7-mile drive, which takes just over 3 hours, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential evening traffic. With a fuel cost estimated at $27, you can easily plan your stops. The longest stretch without a significant change in road is 123.7 miles on I 55, so ensure you're fueled up before embarking on that segment. Given the short duration, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day, making just one stop if needed.
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 84.8 miles from Mason City, IL, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 123.7 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 37 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.8 miles or 1h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Markham, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Mason City, 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 Mason City, IL
This is one driving day of about 169.7 miles and 3h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Mason City, 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 123.7 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.1 and 168.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
17.1 mi into trip|~27m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
46.5 mi into trip|~59m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
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 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7
140.3 mi into trip|~2h 40m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Indiana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 250A
Toward I 80 East: Indiana
5
141 mi into trip|~2h 41m in|I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
168.7 mi into trip|~3h 15m in
Take the exit toward Kedzie Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 154
Toward Kedzie Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.53 one way
$53.06 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$29.13
$58.26
premium
$4.89
$32.66
$65.31
diesel
$5.61
$37.47
$74.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.9
0
$17.82
$8.15
Efficient EV
42.4
0
$14.85
$6.79
EV Truck/SUV
67.9
0
$23.76
$10.86
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Mason City, IL
Late night
in Mason City on Tuesday
Local time
5:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Markham, IL
Late night
in Markham on Tuesday
Local time
5:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
14 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
3h 17m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 169.7
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 11.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 89% of it on major roadways. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 123.7 miles on I 55, offering a period of steady travel. The drive transitions from I 55 to I 80, and then briefly onto North Peoria Street, suggesting a mix of interstate cruising and potentially some more local road interaction towards the end. Overall, anticipate a consistent driving experience with minimal deviations from high-speed transit.
89% 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: 123.7 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 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 17.1 miles in near I 55.
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 169.7 miles you will encounter 9 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 17.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 140.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Mason City, IL to Markham, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Peoria
46.5 mi in|~59m|via I 55
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 17m. Total distance: 169.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 123.7 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 Markham, 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 17.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 140.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park and Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Markham, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
