Origin
Ashland, IL
Evening in Ashland on Sunday
Local time
5:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ashland, IL to Markham, IL
Drive Time
3h 54m
Distance
201 mi
324 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 41m
★
6 AM
3h 54m
8 AM
4h 20m
10 AM
4h 3m
12 PM
4h 1m
3 PM
4h 5m
5 PM
4h 19m
8 PM
3h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ashland, IL
Tom Fisk
Markham, IL
Mike Tyurin
Trip Overview
Traveling from Ashland to Markham covers 201 miles of Illinois terrain, clocking in at approximately 3 hours and 54 minutes of driving time. This route is primarily highway-focused, utilizing I-55, I-80, and I-55 Business to connect the two locations. Because the trip is straightforward, it is perfectly manageable as a single-day journey, requiring no overnight stays. You can expect to spend around $31 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly option for your transit across the Midwest. Since you are staying within the same state, the transition between regions is seamless and familiar. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive designed for efficiency rather than sightseeing.
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
100.5 miles from Ashland, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h into the drive .
Drive Character
With 96% of the journey spent on highways, this trip is built for steady, consistent cruising. You will experience a significant stretch of open road, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted segment of 123.2 miles on I-55. The personality of this drive is functional and direct, favoring high-speed interstate travel over winding local backroads. As you move toward the Chicago suburbs, expect the environment to shift from rural stretches to the more congested infrastructure typical of the Illinois interstate system. Staying focused is key during the long interstate segments, as the landscape remains relatively uniform throughout the majority of your time behind the wheel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 123.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 0.6 miles in near IL 125.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 201 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 0.6 miles (IL 125): Lane positioning matters here; at 48.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
IL 125
At end of road, turn right onto IL 125
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
48.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
77.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m 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 none lane.
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7
171.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 16m 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
200 mi into trip
|
~3h 52m 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
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Ashland, IL to Markham, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Peoria
77.8 mi in
|
~1h 35m
|
via I 55
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 123.2 mi | 2h 12m |
| I 80 | 27.6 mi | 34m |
| I 55 Business | 21.4 mi | 23m |
| IL 125 | 11.9 mi | 17m |
| North Peoria Road | 5.3 mi | 8m |
| IL 97 | 5 mi | 7m |
| Veterans Parkway | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| Kedzie Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 123.2 mi, about 2h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ashland, IL and Markham, IL.
1
Start on West Washington Street
194 ft
·
13 sec
·
West Washington Street
2
Turn left onto South Yates Street
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
South Yates Street
3
Turn right onto East Fremont Street
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
East Fremont Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto IL 125
11 mi
·
16 min
·
IL 125
Use the none lane.
5
Continue on IL 125
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
IL 125
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on IL 97
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
IL 97
Use the none lane.
7
Turn left onto IL 4
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Veterans Parkway
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on I 55 Business
5.3 mi
·
8 min
·
North Peoria Road
Use the none lane.
9
Take the exit onto I 55 Business
21 mi
·
23 min
·
I 55 Business
Use the none lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
94 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 250A
Toward I 80 East: Indiana
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 80
28 mi
·
34 min
·
I 80
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 154
Toward Kedzie Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Kedzie Avenue
Use the none lane.
16
Turn left onto 163rd Street
64 ft
·
2 sec
·
163rd Street
17
Arrive at destination
163rd Street
Trip Plan
To keep your 3-hour and 54-minute drive stress-free, aim to leave during off-peak hours to avoid the inevitable slowdowns as you approach the Markham area. Since the itinerary suggests one planned stop, use that break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs before tackling the final leg of the journey. Given that the route is heavily reliant on I-55 and I-80, check for real-time traffic updates before you depart to account for potential construction or accidents on these major arteries. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so adjust your pace based on the flow of traffic. A helpful tip for this specific route is to monitor your fuel levels before hitting the 123.2-mile stretch on I-55, ensuring you aren't caught low on gas between interchanges.
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 100.5 miles from Ashland, IL, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 123.2 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 80 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.5 miles or 2h 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 9m
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 Ashland, 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 Ashland, IL
This is one driving day of about 201 miles and 3h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ashland, 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 123.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 100.5 mi from Ashland, IL · 2h into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
101 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 100.5 miles from Ashland, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 123.2 miles.
Arriving in Markham, IL
The final approach into Markham, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Markham, IL.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.53 one way
$61.06 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
70 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $33.66 | $67.31 |
| premium | $4.80 | $37.94 | $75.89 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $44.66 | $89.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.3 | 0 | $21.10 | $9.65 |
| Efficient EV | 50.3 | 0 | $17.59 | $8.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.4 | 1 | $28.14 | $12.86 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Markham, IL
Evening in Markham on Sunday
Local time
5:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
53°F
Bloomington, IL
101 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
4 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
3h 54m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ashland, IL to Markham, IL covers 201 miles and takes about 3h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, I 80, I 55 Business. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 100.5 miles from Ashland, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.53 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 201 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (IL 125): Lane positioning matters here; at 48.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Ashland, IL to Markham, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
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