Vernon, IL to Markham, IL is 232.8 miles and takes about 4h 14m via I 57 and Interstate 70, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving you through the Midwest region. With 99% of the drive on highways, expect a fairly straightforward trip with minimal time spent on slower roads. It's a solid option if you're looking for a direct route to get you from point A to point B efficiently.
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
116.4 miles from Vernon, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
181.3 mi
3h 15m
Interstate 70
35 mi
38m
US 51
10.9 mi
12m
I 80
2.2 mi
3m
North Kennedy Boulevard
1.1 mi
1m
Kedzie Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
US 40
0.5 mi
<1m
West Broadway Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 181.3 mi, about 3h 15m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,241 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,621
Quietest
2 AM
~245 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 49 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 Vernon, IL and Markham, IL.
1
Start on this road
122 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto West Broadway Street
147 ft·12 sec·West Broadway Street
3
Turn left onto US 51
11 mi·12 min·US 51
4
Turn left onto US 40; US 51; IL 185
0.5 mi·35 sec·US 40; US 51; IL 185
5
Turn right onto US 40; US 51; IL 185
1.1 mi·1 min·North Kennedy Boulevard
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I-70 East: Effingham
7
Merge onto I 70
35 mi·38 min·Interstate 70
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
181 mi·3 hr 15 min·I 57
Toward I 57 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·50 sec
Exit 345AToward I 80 East: IndianaUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 80
2.2 mi·3 min·I 80
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 154Toward Kedzie AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·Kedzie Avenue
13
Turn left onto 163rd Street
64 ft·2 sec·163rd Street
14
Arrive at destination
163rd Street
Trip Plan
For this 4h 14m drive, leaving in the morning should give you plenty of daylight to reach your destination. The route is efficient enough to complete in a single day, so you can be flexible with your departure time. Plan for one stop, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without major services could be around 181.3 miles on I 57, and the estimated fuel cost is $36.
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 116.4 miles from Vernon, IL, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181.3 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 51 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.4 miles or 2h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 27m
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 Vernon, 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 Vernon, IL
This is one driving day of about 232.8 miles and 4h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Vernon, 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 57 for about 181.3 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 0 and 231.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|West Broadway Street
Turn right onto West Broadway Street
Navigation decision point
5
12.5 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward I-70 East: Effingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I-70 East: Effingham
7
47.7 mi into trip|~53m in|I 57
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
7
229 mi into trip|~4h 8m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Indiana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 345A
Toward I 80 East: Indiana
7
231.8 mi into trip|~4h 12m 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
$34.38 one way
$68.76 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$37.95
$75.91
premium
$4.72
$43.22
$86.45
diesel
$4.80
$43.96
$87.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.8
0
$24.44
$11.17
Efficient EV
58.2
0
$20.37
$9.31
EV Truck/SUV
93.1
1
$32.59
$14.90
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Vernon, IL
Late night
in Vernon on Monday
Local time
1:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
W 9 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Markham, IL
Late night
in Markham on Monday
Local time
1:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 10 to 15 mph75% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 14m 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.
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 232.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a predominantly highway drive, with 99% of the 232.8 miles on major interstates like I 57 and Interstate 70. You'll experience a long stretch of 181.3 miles on I 57, which means extended periods of cruising. Expect a high volume of exits as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area, indicating a shift from rural to more developed landscapes.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 181.3 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Interstate 70. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Broadway Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 232.8 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (West Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 47.7 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 14m. Total distance: 232.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 181.3 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 32 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 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 47.7 miles (I 57): 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Markham, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
