Connecting O'Fallon to Markham, this 276.6-mile trek across Illinois is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 10 minutes. Because the route is primarily highway-focused, it is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip for most drivers. You should budget approximately $42 for fuel to complete the transit. While the trip stays entirely within the Midwest, moving from the southern end of the state toward the Chicago suburbs offers a steady transition in landscape. This drive is ideal if you are looking for an efficient, no-nonsense way to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stop.
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
138.3 miles from O'Fallon, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
234.9 mi
4h 13m
I 80
27.6 mi
34m
North Illinois Street
3.8 mi
5m
Vandalia Street
2.8 mi
4m
I 64
1.8 mi
2m
South Morrison Avenue
1.3 mi
1m
West State Street
1.2 mi
2m
Kedzie Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 234.9 mi, about 4h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between O'Fallon, IL and Markham, IL.
1
Start on West State Street
1.0 mi·2 min·West State Street
2
Enter roundabout onto West State Street
72 ft·3 sec·West State Street
3
Continue on West State Street
0.2 mi·27 sec·West State Street
4
Turn right onto West Highway 50
0.5 mi·51 sec·West Highway 50
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·51 sec
6
Merge onto I 64; US 50
1.8 mi·2 min·I 64; US 50
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 12Toward IL 159: Belleville, CollinsvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
220 ft·5 sec
Toward CollinsvilleUse the right lane.
9
Turn straight onto IL 159
3.8 mi·5 min·North Illinois Street
10
Continue on IL 159
1.3 mi·1 min·South Morrison Avenue
11
Continue on IL 159
2.8 mi·4 min·Vandalia Street
12
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East
13
Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40
3.8 mi·4 min·I 55; I 70; US 40
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
108 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 250AToward I 80 East: IndianaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 80
28 mi·34 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 154Toward Kedzie AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·Kedzie Avenue
21
Turn left onto 163rd Street
64 ft·2 sec·163rd Street
22
Arrive at destination
163rd Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a five-hour drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic congestion as you approach the Markham area. You only need to plan for one major stop to break up the 276.6-mile distance, which keeps your travel time efficient. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the long 234.9-mile segment on I-55, as you will want to time your refueling stop to avoid overpaying at busier, high-traffic stations. Having the flexibility to stop once allows you to stay refreshed without significantly adding to your total duration. Use your navigation tools to monitor real-time flow on I-80, as this final leg can occasionally experience unexpected delays.
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 138.3 miles from O'Fallon, IL, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 234.9 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 61 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.3 miles or 2h 36m 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 11m
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 O'Fallon, 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 O'Fallon, IL
This is one driving day of about 276.6 miles and 5h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from O'Fallon, 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 234.9 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.8 and 247.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
3.8 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the exit toward IL 159: Belleville, Collinsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12
Toward IL 159: Belleville, Collinsville
8
4.1 mi into trip|~6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Collinsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward Collinsville
7
124.1 mi into trip|~2h 20m 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
153.4 mi into trip|~2h 52m 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
247.3 mi into trip|~4h 33m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.24 one way
$86.49 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$47.48
$94.96
premium
$4.89
$53.23
$106.46
diesel
$5.61
$61.07
$122.14
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: 96.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83
1
$29.04
$13.28
Efficient EV
69.2
0
$24.20
$11.06
EV Truck/SUV
110.6
1
$38.72
$17.70
Gas CO2
97 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.
Forecast as of Apr 13, 2026
Origin
O'Fallon, IL
Morning
in O'Fallon on Tuesday
Local time
6:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Markham, IL
Morning
in Markham on Tuesday
Local time
6:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 15 mph22% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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
8 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
5h 10m 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...
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 276.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient experience, as 96% of this trip is spent on highways. The vast majority of your time behind the wheel involves a 234.9-mile stretch on I-55, which serves as the backbone of your journey. You will spend very little time on local roads, limited mostly to North Illinois Street and transitions onto I-80. Because of this, the route feels like a consistent, high-speed interstate grind rather than a winding scenic tour. Prepare for a steady pace that allows you to cover significant ground quickly while maintaining a predictable rhythm on the road.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 234.9 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 3.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 276.6 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 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
775 ft545 ft
Total Climb
409 ft
Total Descent
341 ft
Highest Point
775 ft
~158.1 mi in
Elevation Range
229 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between O'Fallon, IL and Markham, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 10m. Total distance: 276.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 234.9 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 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Markham, IL before the return drive.
