Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Trip from Zion, IL to Markham, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 36m
Distance
69.5 mi
112 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 29m
★
6 AM
1h 36m
8 AM
1h 51m
10 AM
1h 41m
12 PM
1h 40m
3 PM
1h 42m
5 PM
1h 50m
8 PM
1h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Zion, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Markham, IL
Stéphane Tendon
Trip Overview
Zion, IL to Markham, IL is 69.5 miles and takes about 1h 36m via Edens Expressway and Dan Ryan Expressway, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a primarily highway-based drive that will get you to your destination efficiently. Given the relatively short duration and highway focus, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.7 miles from Zion, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Edens Expressway | 13.7 mi | 17m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) | 8.8 mi | 11m |
| Kennedy Expressway | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| I 57 | 7.9 mi | 10m |
| North Skokie Highway | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| IL 137 | 5.5 mi | 7m |
| Sheridan Road | 4.3 mi | 8m |
| Skokie Highway | 3.8 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Edens Expressway
— 13.7 mi, about 17m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 3 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~8,925 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~1,444 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Zion, IL and Markham, IL.
1
Start on 27th Street
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
27th Street
2
Turn right onto IL 137
4.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Sheridan Road
3
Turn left onto IL 137
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
West Greenwood Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp onto IL 137
5.5 mi
·
7 min
·
IL 137
Toward IL 137
Use the right lane.
5
Turn right onto IL 137
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Buckley Road
Use the left lane.
6
Turn left onto US 41
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
North Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on US 41
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Skokie Valley Road
8
Continue on US 41
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 94; US 41
14 mi
·
17 min
·
Edens Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Continue on I 90; I 94
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
8.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
7.9 mi
·
10 min
·
I 57
Exit 63
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
Use the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 350
Toward IL 83: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 350
Toward IL 83: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn right onto IL 83
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West 147th Street
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Kedzie Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto 163rd Street
64 ft
·
2 sec
·
163rd Street
19
Arrive at destination
163rd Street
Trip Plan
For this 1h 36m drive, consider leaving during off-peak hours to avoid potential traffic congestion on the expressways. Since it's a relatively short trip, you have flexibility with your departure time. Plan for one brief stop if needed, as the longest stretch without a significant change is 13.7 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel level, with an estimated cost of $11 for the trip, and ensure you have enough before hitting the major expressways. Watch for the transition between the Edens Expressway and the Dan Ryan Expressway as a key point in your navigation.
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 34.7 miles from Zion, IL, or about 47m 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 15 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.7 miles or 47m 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 20m
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 Zion, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Zion, IL
This is one driving day of about 69.5 miles and 1h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Zion, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Edens Expressway for about 13.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.7 miles from Zion, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Lake Forest Oasis
2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 10.5 and 66 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
10.5 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
IL 137 / Buckley Road
Turn right onto IL 137 / Buckley Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
49.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
|
I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express
8
57.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
|
I 57
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 63
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
8
65.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
Take the exit toward IL 83: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street
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 350
Toward IL 83: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street
10
66 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
Keep slight right at fork toward IL 83: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 350
Toward IL 83: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.60 one way
$21.21 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.27 | $11.68 | $23.36 |
| premium | $4.81 | $13.15 | $26.30 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $14.78 | $29.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.8 | 0 | $7.30 | $3.34 |
| Efficient EV | 17.4 | 0 | $6.08 | $2.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.8 | 0 | $9.73 | $4.45 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Origin
Zion, IL
Late night in Zion on Sunday
Local time
2:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Mostly Cloudy then Areas Of Fog
NE 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live 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
2:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Mostly Cloudy then Patchy Fog
ENE 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live 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
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 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 36m 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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 57.5
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
With 67% of this route on highways, you'll experience a significant amount of high-speed driving. The longest uninterrupted stretch on a highway is 13.7 miles on the Edens Expressway. Expect dense exits and merging traffic as you navigate the expressways, particularly on the Dan Ryan Expressway (Express). The latter part of the drive transitions to more urban freeway conditions.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 13.7 mi on Edens Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Edens Expressway and Dan Ryan Expressway (Express). This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.5 miles in near IL 137 / Buckley Road.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 69.5 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: at 10.5 miles (IL 137 / Buckley Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 49.1 miles (I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57.9 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Zion, IL
Full guide →Founded 1901
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 36m. Total distance: 69.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (67%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 13.7 miles on Edens Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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.
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 10.5 miles (IL 137 / Buckley Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 49.1 miles (I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57.9 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Markham, IL before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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