Polo, IL to Markham, IL is 124.4 miles and takes about 2h 32m via Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving from one part of the Midwest to another. Expect a drive that involves a good amount of tollway travel, making it a straightforward connection between these two points. With a recommended single day for this journey, you can plan for a relatively quick transit. The total cost for fuel is estimated at $19, so it's an economical option for getting across the state.
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
62.2 miles from Polo, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
84.1 mi
1h 34m
Tri-State Tollway
21.2 mi
26m
US 52
9.3 mi
15m
South Division Avenue
4.8 mi
7m
Mile-Long Bridge
0.9 mi
1m
Kedzie Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
West 159th Street
0.4 mi
<1m
South Il Route 26
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
— 84.1 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Polo, IL and Markham, IL.
1
Start on West Mason Street
121 ft·7 sec·West Mason Street
2
Turn right onto US 52; IL 26
4.8 mi·7 min·South Division Avenue
3
Continue on South Il Route 26
352 ft·5 sec·South Il Route 26
4
Continue on US 52; IL 26
9.3 mi·15 min·US 52; IL 26
5
Turn left
0.2 mi·26 sec
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
7
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
80 mi·1 hr 29 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110
3.7 mi·4 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 138Toward I 294 South, IL 38: IndianaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 294
3.6 mi·4 min·Tri-State Tollway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
3.5 mi·4 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 294
0.9 mi·1 min·Mile-Long Bridge
14
Continue on I 294
14 mi·17 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 6B-AToward US 6: 159th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 6BToward US 6 West: 159th Street
17
Turn straight onto US 6
0.4 mi·56 sec·West 159th Street
18
Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Kedzie Avenue
19
Turn right onto 163rd Street
64 ft·2 sec·163rd Street
20
Arrive at destination
163rd Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 32m duration, this route is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aiming to leave in the morning will give you ample daylight to complete the drive and settle in. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your break strategically along the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, where the longest stretch of driving occurs. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $19, which is quite budget-friendly for this distance. A practical tip for this route would be to ensure your toll pass is up-to-date, as both the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway and the Tri-State Tollway are toll roads.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 62.2 miles from Polo, IL, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.1 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 27 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.2 miles or 1h 16m 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 3m
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 Polo, 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 Polo, IL
This is one driving day of about 124.4 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Polo, 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 Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for about 84.1 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 95.6 and 122.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
95.6 mi into trip|~1h 54m in|I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
99.2 mi into trip|~1h 58m in
Take the exit toward I 294 South, IL 38: 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 138
Toward I 294 South, IL 38: Indiana
6
99.5 mi into trip|~1h 59m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
104.2 mi into trip|~2h 6m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
122.7 mi into trip|~2h 28m 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
$19.45 one way
$38.90 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$21.35
$42.71
premium
$4.89
$23.94
$47.88
diesel
$5.61
$27.47
$54.93
Estimated Tolls: $6.33
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(84.1 mi)$5.05
Tri-state Tollway
(21.2 mi)$1.28
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
$19
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.3
0
$13.06
$5.97
Efficient EV
31.1
0
$10.89
$4.98
EV Truck/SUV
49.8
0
$17.42
$7.96
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Polo, IL
Morning
in Polo on Tuesday
Local time
6:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Markham, IL
Morning
in Markham on Tuesday
Local time
6:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
65°F
Aurora, IL
62 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 32m 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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 120.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features an 8% highway share, meaning you'll spend most of your time on local roads, but the main arteries for this trip are the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway and the Tri-State Tollway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 84.1 miles on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, offering a substantial period of consistent travel. The profile describes it as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' suggesting that while there are highway segments, you should anticipate frequent turns and a more varied road experience overall. Be prepared for a dynamic drive that transitions between faster tollway sections and more complex local road navigation.
Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.1 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 95.6 miles in near I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.
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 12 significant decision points across 124.4 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 95.6 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 99.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 99.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 32m. Total distance: 124.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.1 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.33 in tolls one way, starting with Reagan Memorial 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.
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 95.6 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 99.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 99.5 miles: 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.
