Pistakee Highlands to Markham is 72.7 miles and takes about 1h 38m via US 12 and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Given the relatively short duration and manageable distance, this route is best suited for a single-day trip. The majority of the drive utilizes major highways, making it a straightforward connection between these two Illinois locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.4 miles from Pistakee Highlands, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 12
24.6 mi
32m
Tri-State Tollway
23.8 mi
30m
IL 53
11.3 mi
14m
I 290
9.3 mi
12m
Mile-Long Bridge
0.9 mi
1m
Kedzie Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Fox Lake Road
0.5 mi
1m
West 159th Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 12
— 24.6 mi, about 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pistakee Highlands, IL and Markham, IL.
1
Start on Fox Lake Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Fox Lake Road
2
At end of road, turn right onto US 12
6.0 mi·7 min·US 12
3
Continue on US 12; IL 59
1.1 mi·1 min·US 12; IL 59
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on US 12; IL 59
0.3 mi·26 sec·US 12; IL 59
5
Continue on US 12; IL 59
0.1 mi·7 sec·US 12; IL 59
6
Continue on US 12; IL 59
1.7 mi·1 min·US 12; IL 59
7
Continue on US 12; IL 59
1.1 mi·1 min·US 12; IL 59
8
Continue on US 12; IL 59
14 mi·20 min·US 12; IL 59
Use the left lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward IL 53 SouthUse the right lane.
10
Merge onto IL 53
4.4 mi·5 min·IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
7.0 mi·9 min·IL 53
Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 290
9.3 mi·12 min·I 290
Toward I 290 East: ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 15AToward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, IndianaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 294
0.4 mi·47 sec·Tri-State Tollway
Exit 15AToward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
1.0 mi·2 min·Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
16
Merge onto I 294
137 ft·1 sec·Tri-State Tollway
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
3.5 mi·4 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 294
0.9 mi·1 min·Mile-Long Bridge
20
Continue on I 294
14 mi·17 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 6B-AToward US 6: 159th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 6BToward US 6 West: 159th Street
23
Turn straight onto US 6
0.4 mi·56 sec·West 159th Street
24
Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Kedzie Avenue
25
Turn right onto 163rd Street
64 ft·2 sec·163rd Street
26
Arrive at destination
163rd Street
Trip Plan
Since this trip is under two hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving mid-morning should help you avoid the worst of rush hour traffic in both directions. With only 72.7 miles, you likely won't need to stop for fuel, but it's always a good idea to start with a full tank, especially since the estimated fuel cost is around $11. Keep an eye on your GPS for the transition from US 12 to the Tri-State Tollway, as this is a key point where the driving environment changes.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 36.4 miles from Pistakee Highlands, IL, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24.6 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 16 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.4 miles or 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 22m
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 Pistakee Highlands, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Pistakee Highlands, IL
This is one driving day of about 72.7 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Pistakee Highlands, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 12 for about 24.6 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 25.1 and 71.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
25.1 mi into trip|~34m in
Take the ramp toward IL 53 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward IL 53 South
8
29.7 mi into trip|~40m in|IL 53
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53 toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield 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 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
7
36.7 mi into trip|~49m in|I 290
Keep slight right at fork onto I 290 toward I 290 East: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 290 East: Chicago
8
46 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Take the exit toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
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 15A
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
7
71.1 mi into trip|~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward US 6: 159th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 6B-A
Toward US 6: 159th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.09 one way
$22.18 round trip
$3.88/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.27
$12.22
$24.43
premium
$4.81
$13.76
$27.51
diesel
$5.40
$15.46
$30.93
Estimated Tolls: $1.43
Tri-state Tollway
(23.8 mi)$1.43
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 64% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.8
0
$7.63
$3.49
Efficient EV
18.2
0
$6.36
$2.91
EV Truck/SUV
29.1
0
$10.18
$4.65
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
9 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 24, 2026
Origin
Pistakee Highlands, IL
Morning
in Pistakee Highlands on Sunday
Local time
6:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Partly Sunny
NW 10 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 3:54PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 3:54PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Markham, IL
Morning
in Markham on Sunday
Local time
6:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
NW 10 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 3:54PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 3:54PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
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
2 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
1h 38m 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.
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...
7 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 70.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a mostly highway drive, with 62% of the route on major roads. You'll experience a continuous stretch of 24.6 miles on US 12 before transitioning to other highways. Expect a significant amount of time on the Tri-State Tollway, which often means dealing with frequent exits and varied traffic patterns as you approach more urban areas. The latter part of the drive involves merging with other major routes.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 24.6 mi on US 12.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 12 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 25.1 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.7 miles you will encounter 14 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 25.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 29.7 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.7 miles (I 290): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Pistakee Highlands, IL to Markham, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Indiana along the way.
Indiana
46 mi in|~1h 2m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 72.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (62%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 24.6 miles on US 12. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.43 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 7 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 Markham, 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: at 25.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 29.7 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.7 miles (I 290): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Markham, IL before heading back.
