Preston, IL to Markham, IL is 314.5 miles and takes about 6h 14m via I 55 and I 80, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, traveling through the Midwest region. It's a primarily highway route, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. Expect to spend most of your time on major interstates, so plan for typical interstate travel conditions.
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
157.3 miles from Preston, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
234.9 mi
4h 13m
I 80
27.6 mi
34m
North Illinois Street
9.8 mi
15m
West Myrtle Street
8.7 mi
12m
South Main Street
8.3 mi
12m
North Main Street
6.6 mi
9m
State Route 159
6.1 mi
9m
Baldwin Road
5.2 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 234.9 mi, about 4h 13m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,633 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,039
Quietest
2 AM
~154 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Preston, IL and Markham, IL.
1
Start on Pautler Road
155 ft·8 sec·Pautler Road
2
Turn right onto Preston Road
0.5 mi·2 min·Preston Road
3
Turn left onto Baldwin Road
5.2 mi·12 min·Baldwin Road
4
Continue on South 5th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·South 5th Street
5
Turn left onto IL 154
8.7 mi·12 min·West Myrtle Street
6
Turn right onto IL 159
6.4 mi·9 min·North Main Street
7
Continue on IL 159
0.2 mi·13 sec·N Main St
8
Continue on IL 156; IL 159
0.2 mi·19 sec·North Main Street
9
Continue on IL 156; IL 159
6.1 mi·9 min·State Route 159
10
Continue on IL 159
8.3 mi·12 min·South Main Street
11
Enter roundabout onto IL 159
177 ft·4 sec·North Illinois Street
12
Continue on IL 159
9.8 mi·15 min·North Illinois Street
13
Continue on IL 159
1.3 mi·1 min·South Morrison Avenue
14
Continue on IL 159
2.8 mi·4 min·Vandalia Street
15
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East
16
Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40
3.8 mi·4 min·I 55; I 70; US 40
17
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
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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.
20
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 250AToward I 80 East: IndianaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 80
28 mi·34 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 154Toward Kedzie AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·Kedzie Avenue
24
Turn left onto 163rd Street
64 ft·2 sec·163rd Street
25
Arrive at destination
163rd Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 14m estimated drive time, starting your trip in the morning is recommended to ensure you arrive with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can choose a convenient point along I 55 for a break. The fuel cost is estimated at $56, so factor that into your budget. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility in your timing, but be aware that the longest stretch on I 55 is quite substantial, so plan your breaks accordingly to stay alert.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 157.3 miles from Preston, IL, or about 3h 19m 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 69 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 157.3 miles or 3h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 7m
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 Preston, 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 Preston, IL
This is one driving day of about 314.5 miles and 6h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Preston, 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 54.1 and 313.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
54.1 mi into trip|~1h 27m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springf...
7
161.9 mi into trip|~3h 24m 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
191.3 mi into trip|~3h 55m 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
285.2 mi into trip|~5h 36m 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
7
313.5 mi into trip|~6h 11m 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
$46.44 one way
$92.89 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$51.27
$102.55
premium
$4.72
$58.39
$116.79
diesel
$4.80
$59.38
$118.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.4
1
$33.02
$15.10
Efficient EV
78.6
0
$27.52
$12.58
EV Truck/SUV
125.8
1
$44.03
$20.13
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Preston, IL
Late night
in Preston on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 5 mph41% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:32PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Markham, IL
Late night
in Markham on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Patchy Smoke
SW 5 to 10 mph59% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:32PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
89°F
Springfield, IL
157 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
6h 14m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 130.1
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 314.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on the highway for about 85% of this 314.5-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 234.9 miles, primarily on I 55. After leaving the interstate system, you'll transition to surface roads like North Illinois Street for the final portion of the drive. Be prepared for a noticeable change in traffic density and speed as you move from the high-speed interstates to more local roadways.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 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?
7/10
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 54.1 miles in near I 55.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 314.5 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 54.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 191.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
820 ft466 ft
Total Climb
495 ft
Total Descent
342 ft
Highest Point
820 ft
~202.2 mi in
Elevation Range
354 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Preston, IL and Markham, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 14m. Total distance: 314.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 14m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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.
Yes — we found about 31 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.
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. There are 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 54.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 191.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 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.
