Watson, IL to Markham, IL is 196.3 miles and takes about 3h 39m via I 57, United States Route 45, and I 80, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This all-Illinois route stays within the Midwest region, offering a straightforward trip. Given its relatively short duration and highway-centric profile, it's a practical option for a single-day drive. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, making it a predictable and efficient way to cover the distance.
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
98.1 miles from Watson, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
182.1 mi
3h 16m
United States Route 45
6.7 mi
10m
I 80
2.2 mi
3m
South 3rd Street
1.7 mi
2m
Main Street
1.4 mi
2m
Kedzie Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
West Fayette Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
163rd Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 182.1 mi, about 3h 16m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~783 veh/hr typical
Quietest
3 AM
~77 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 5 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 Watson, IL and Markham, IL.
Toward I 57 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·50 sec
Exit 345AToward I 80 East: IndianaUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 80
2.2 mi·3 min·I 80
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 154Toward Kedzie AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·Kedzie Avenue
12
Turn left onto 163rd Street
64 ft·2 sec·163rd Street
13
Arrive at destination
163rd Street
Trip Plan
For this single-day drive of 196.3 miles, departing in the morning will give you plenty of daylight. With a driving time of under 4 hours, you likely won't need more than one brief stop, perhaps for fuel or a quick break around the halfway point. The fuel cost is estimated at $30, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you leave Watson. Pay attention to your GPS as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area, as traffic can increase significantly.
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 98.1 miles from Watson, IL, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 182.1 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 43 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.1 miles or 1h 51m 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 59m
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 Watson, 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 Watson, IL
This is one driving day of about 196.3 miles and 3h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Watson, 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 182.1 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 195.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.4 mi into trip|~2m in|US 45 / United States Route 45
At end of road, turn left onto US 45 / United States Route 45
Navigation decision point
5
9.9 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the ramp toward I-57 North, I-70 East: Champaign, Terre Haute
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-57 North, I-70 East: Champaign, Terre...
7
11.2 mi into trip|~17m 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
192.5 mi into trip|~3h 33m 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
195.3 mi into trip|~3h 37m 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
$29.95 one way
$59.89 round trip
$3.88/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.27
$32.98
$65.97
premium
$4.81
$37.14
$74.28
diesel
$5.40
$41.76
$83.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.9
0
$20.61
$9.42
Efficient EV
49.1
0
$17.18
$7.85
EV Truck/SUV
78.5
0
$27.48
$12.56
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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 26, 2026
Origin
Watson, IL
Late night
in Watson on Sunday
Local time
4:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Mostly Clear
ENE 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 9:27PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 9:27PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Markham, IL
Late night
in Markham on Sunday
Local time
4:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Areas Of Fog
ENE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 9:27PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 9:27PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
61°F
Roberts, IL
98 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
10 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
3h 39m 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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 196.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on highways, with 97% of the 196.3 miles being interstate or major highway. You'll experience a long stretch of 182.1 miles on I 57, which means extended periods of consistent cruising. Expect frequent exits and merges as you transition between I 57, US-45, and I 80 before reaching Markham.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 182.1 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and United States Route 45. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near US 45 / United States Route 45.
Driving Effort5/10
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 196.3 miles you will encounter 11 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 1.4 miles (US 45 / United States Route 45): Navigation decision point; at 9.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.2 miles (I 57): 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 Watson, IL to Markham, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Terre Haute along the way.
Terre Haute
9.9 mi in|~15m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 39m. Total distance: 196.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 182.1 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 28 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (US 45 / United States Route 45): Navigation decision point; at 9.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.2 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 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Markham, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
