Somonauk, IL to Markham, IL is 59 miles and takes about 1 hour 35 minutes via I 80, with a fuel budget near $9 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, specifically Illinois, and offers a relatively short trip. Given its duration and the fact that it's a single-day journey, it's a practical option for a quick transit between these two points. The route is characterized by its frequent turns, suggesting you'll be navigating local roads for a significant portion of the trip, so be prepared for that type of driving.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
29.5 miles from Somonauk, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
13.7 mi
16m
East Schoolhouse Road
7.5 mi
11m
West Lockport Road
4.9 mi
7m
River Road
4.6 mi
7m
Veterans Memorial Tollway
4.4 mi
4m
West Church Street
4 mi
6m
Griswold Springs Road
3.4 mi
6m
West 9th Street
2.9 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 13.7 mi, about 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Somonauk, IL and Markham, IL.
1
Start on US 34
4.0 mi·6 min·West Church Street
Use the left lane.
2
Turn slight right onto Griswold Springs Road
3.4 mi·6 min·Griswold Springs Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto Fox River Drive
0.8 mi·1 min·Fox River Drive
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto River Road
4.6 mi·7 min·River Road
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on River Street
0.2 mi·29 sec·River Street
6
At end of road, turn right onto IL 47
0.7 mi·1 min·North Bridge Street
Use the left lane.
7
Turn left onto East Schoolhouse Road
7.5 mi·11 min·East Schoolhouse Road
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on West Lockport Road
4.9 mi·7 min·West Lockport Road
9
Continue on West Lockport Street
1.5 mi·4 min·West Lockport Street
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on Lockport Road
1.3 mi·2 min·Lockport Road
11
Continue on Lockport Street
0.4 mi·40 sec·Lockport Street
12
Continue on Airport Road
1.9 mi·3 min·Airport Road
13
Turn right onto CH 88
1.0 mi·1 min·Weber Road
14
Turn left onto Renwick Road
2.5 mi·6 min·Renwick Road
15
Continue on IL 7
2.9 mi·5 min·West 9th Street
16
Continue on IL 7
0.7 mi·1 min·West 159th Street
17
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 355 South: Southwest SuburbsUse the right lane.
18
Merge onto I 355
4.4 mi·4 min·Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 0AToward I 80 East: Indiana
20
Merge onto I 80
14 mi·16 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 154Toward Kedzie AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·Kedzie Avenue
23
Turn left onto 163rd Street
64 ft·2 sec·163rd Street
24
Arrive at destination
163rd Street
Trip Plan
With a travel time of just under two hours, this is a straightforward same-day trip, offering flexibility for when you depart. You won't need to worry about splitting this drive, and the estimated fuel cost of $9 means you can likely complete it without extensive planning for gas stops. Since it's a short route with many turns, it's wise to leave with a full tank of gas to avoid interruptions. Pay close attention to your GPS, especially as you transition from I 80 onto local roads like East Schoolhouse Road and West Lockport Road.
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 29.5 miles from Somonauk, IL, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.7 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 13 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 29.5 miles or 50m 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 23m
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 Somonauk, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Somonauk, IL
This is one driving day of about 59 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 13 miles from Somonauk, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 13.7 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.4 and 57.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
7.4 mi into trip|~13m in|Fox River Drive
At end of road, turn right onto Fox River Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
8.2 mi into trip|~14m in|River Road
Turn left onto River Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
13 mi into trip|~22m in|IL 47 / North Bridge Street
At end of road, turn right onto IL 47 / North Bridge Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
38.3 mi into trip|~1h 8m in
Take the ramp toward I 355 South: Southwest Suburbs
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 355 South: Southwest Suburbs
7
57.9 mi into trip|~1h 33m 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
$9.22 one way
$18.45 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg21 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$10.13
$20.26
premium
$4.89
$11.35
$22.71
diesel
$5.61
$13.03
$26.05
Estimated Tolls: $0.31
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(4.4 mi)$0.31
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
$9
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
17.7
0
$6.19
$2.83
Efficient EV
14.8
0
$5.16
$2.36
EV Truck/SUV
23.6
0
$8.26
$3.78
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (67% 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
Somonauk, IL
Morning
in Somonauk on Tuesday
Local time
7:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Markham, IL
Morning
in Markham on Tuesday
Local time
7:03 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
18 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 35m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a turn-heavy local drive, meaning you'll encounter numerous intersections and changes in direction. While 23% of the route is on highways, primarily I 80, the majority involves navigating local roads. Your longest continuous stretch on a single road will be 13.7 miles on I 80. Expect the drive to transition between faster highway speeds and slower, more deliberate maneuvering through towns and local streets. This varied driving experience requires consistent attention.
Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 13.7 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 7.4 miles in near Fox River Drive.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 59 miles you will encounter 13 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 7.4 miles (Fox River Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.2 miles (River Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 13 miles (IL 47 / North Bridge Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 35m. Total distance: 59 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 13.7 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.31 in tolls one way, starting with Veterans 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.
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 7.4 miles (Fox River Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.2 miles (River Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 13 miles (IL 47 / North Bridge Street): 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.
