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Trip from Blue Mound, IL to Markham, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 12m

Distance

175 mi

282 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
3h 1m ★
6 AM
3h 12m
8 AM
3h 36m
10 AM
3h 21m
12 PM
3h 18m
3 PM
3h 22m
5 PM
3h 35m
8 PM
3h 5m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
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Downtown Blue Mound, IL, IL

Blue Mound, IL

Siarhei Nester

Downtown Markham, IL, IL

Markham, IL

Stéphane Tendon

Trip Overview

The drive from Blue Mound, IL to Markham, IL covers 175 miles and takes about 3h 12m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 57, I 72, US 51 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 109.6 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.36 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

87.5 miles from Blue Mound, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 175 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 12m highway drive covering 175 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and I 72. The longest continuous stretch is about 109.6 miles on I 57.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 109.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and I 72. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 9.3 miles in.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 175 miles you will encounter 9 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 9.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 61.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 61.6 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
9.3 mi into trip | ~10m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

5
61.3 mi into trip | ~1h 6m in

Take the exit toward I 57 North: Chicago

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 182B Toward I 57 North: Chicago
5
61.6 mi into trip | ~1h 7m in | I 57

Merge onto I 57

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
171.2 mi into trip | ~3h 6m 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
174 mi into trip | ~3h 10m 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

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 57 109.6 mi 1h 58m
I 72 36.6 mi 39m
US 51 15.1 mi 16m
North Railroad Avenue 9.3 mi 10m
I 80 2.2 mi 3m
Kedzie Avenue 0.8 mi 1m
163rd Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 57 — 109.6 mi, about 1h 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Blue Mound, IL and Markham, IL.

1

Start on IL 48

9.3 mi · 10 min · North Railroad Avenue
2

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
3

Merge onto US 51

15 mi · 16 min · US 51
4

Continue on I 72

37 mi · 39 min · I 72
5

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Exit 182B Toward I 57 North: Chicago
6

Merge onto I 57

110 mi · 1 hr 58 min · I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 50 sec
Exit 345A Toward I 80 East: Indiana Use the slight right lane.
8

Merge onto I 80

2.2 mi · 3 min · I 80
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Exit 154 Toward Kedzie Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue

0.8 mi · 1 min · Kedzie Avenue
11

Turn left onto 163rd Street

64 ft · 2 sec · 163rd Street
12

Arrive at destination

163rd Street

Trip Plan

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 87.5 miles from Blue Mound, IL, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.6 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 39 miles or 42m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 87.5 miles or 1h 35m 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 36m

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 Blue Mound, 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 Blue Mound, IL

This is one driving day of about 175 miles and 3h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Blue Mound, 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 109.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 87.5 mi from Blue Mound, IL · 1h 35m into the drive

Downtown Onarga, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Onarga, IL

88 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

Atwood, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Onarga, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 88 miles from Blue Mound, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Pullman National Historical Park

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 175
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

National Monument

In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...

28 mi from route ~71 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.36 one way

$54.72 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $30.04 $60.08
premium $4.89 $33.68 $67.35
diesel $5.61 $38.64 $77.28

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 61.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 52.5 0 $18.38 $8.40
Efficient EV 43.8 0 $15.31 $7.00
EV Truck/SUV 70 0 $24.50 $11.20

Gas CO2

61 kg

EV CO2

20 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 15, 2026

Origin

Blue Mound, IL

Morning in Blue Mound on Saturday

Local time

9:56 AM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Markham, IL

Morning in Markham on Saturday

Local time

9:56 AM

CDT

Current temp

69°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

15 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 12m 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 Blue Mound, IL to Markham, IL covers 175 miles and takes about 3h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 57, I 72, US 51. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 87.5 miles from Blue Mound, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.36 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 175 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: at 9.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 61.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 61.6 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Blue Mound, IL to Markham, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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