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Trip from Colchester, IL to Markham, IL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 46m

Distance

236.4 mi

380 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 34m ★
6 AM
3h 47m
8 AM
4h 12m
10 AM
3h 56m
12 PM
3h 53m
3 PM
3h 57m
5 PM
4h 11m
8 PM
3h 39m

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

Downtown Colchester, IL, IL

Colchester, IL

upelo .

Downtown Markham, IL, IL

Markham, IL

Armando Ascorve

Trip Overview

Spanning 236.4 miles across Illinois, this trek from Colchester to Markham is a manageable journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 46 minutes behind the wheel. Because you are navigating local corridors rather than major interstates, plan on setting aside one full day to complete the transit comfortably. You should budget approximately $36 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Midwest locations. While the drive is straightforward enough to tackle in a single push, the turn-heavy nature of the route means you will want to stay alert. It is an ideal trip for those who prefer the pace of local roads over the high-speed monotony of the highway system.

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

118.2 miles from Colchester, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 46m. Total distance: 236.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

Expect a very different experience than a typical interstate haul, as this route relies entirely on local streets like Macomb Street, West Jackson Street, and North Johnson Street. With zero percent of the trip spent on highways, you will be constantly engaged with the road rather than cruising on autopilot. The character of the drive is defined by its technical, turn-heavy profile, which demands your full attention as you transition between local segments. Because the road lacks long, uninterrupted stretches, you will find the pace remains steady but requires frequent adjustments. Prepare for a hands-on driving experience that keeps you moving through the Illinois landscape at a deliberate, local speed.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Macomb Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 46m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Colchester, IL to Markham, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Macomb Street
West Jackson Street
North Johnson Street
West Calhoun Street
North Lafayette Street
East 1200th Street
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
South Monmouth Street

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: Macomb Street — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on East North Street

436 ft · 7 sec · East North Street
2

Continue on Macomb Street

0.6 mi · 50 sec · Macomb Street
3

Continue on West Jackson Street

6.2 mi · 10 min · West Jackson Street
4

Turn left onto North Johnson Street

0.1 mi · 16 sec · North Johnson Street
5

Turn slight right onto West Calhoun Street

0.2 mi · 30 sec · West Calhoun Street
6

Turn left onto North Lafayette Street

1.6 mi · 2 min · North Lafayette Street
7

Continue on East 1200th Street

1.2 mi · 1 min · East 1200th Street
8

Continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

3.4 mi · 4 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
9

Continue on South Monmouth Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Monmouth Street
10

Continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

45 mi · 52 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
11

Keep slight right to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

31 mi · 34 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
12

Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East: Chicago

0.6 mi · 49 sec · I 80 East: Chicago
13

Merge slight left

144 mi · 2 hr 38 min
14

Take the exit slight right toward Kedzie Avenue

0.2 mi · 33 sec · Kedzie Avenue
15

Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue

0.8 mi · 1 min · Kedzie Avenue
16

Turn left onto 163rd Street

66 ft · 3 sec · 163rd Street
17

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

For the smoothest experience, plan your departure early in the morning to navigate local traffic patterns with ease. Since the route involves a single planned stop, use that break to stretch your legs and refuel before the final push toward Markham. Given that the entire 236.4-mile trek occurs on local roads, keep a close eye on your navigation to ensure you don't miss any of the frequent turns required along West Jackson Street or North Johnson Street. Flexibility is your best asset here, so don't feel pressured to rush the drive if you encounter unexpected road work or local congestion. Keep your $36 fuel budget handy and double-check your turn-by-turn directions before leaving Colchester to avoid unnecessary backtracking.

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 118.2 miles from Colchester, IL, or about 1h 53m into the drive.

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 52 miles or 49m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 118.2 miles or 1h 53m 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 5m

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 Colchester, 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 Colchester, IL

This is one driving day of about 236.4 miles and 3h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Colchester, 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.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 118.2 mi from Colchester, IL · 1h 53m into the drive

Downtown Kewanee, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Kewanee, IL

118 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

Burgess, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Kewanee, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 118.2 miles from Colchester, 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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$36.96 one way

$73.92 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 83 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $40.58 $81.16
premium $4.89 $45.49 $90.99
diesel $5.61 $52.19 $104.39

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$37

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$62–$87

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 82.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 70.9 0 $24.82 $11.35
Efficient EV 59.1 0 $20.69 $9.46
EV Truck/SUV 94.6 1 $33.10 $15.13

Gas CO2

83 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (66% 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Colchester, IL

Afternoon in Colchester on Thursday

Local time

2:11 PM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Markham, IL

Afternoon in Markham on Thursday

Local time

2:11 PM

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

17 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 46m 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 Colchester, IL to Markham, IL covers 236.4 miles and takes about 3h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Macomb Street, West Jackson Street, North Johnson Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 118.2 miles from Colchester, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.96 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 straightforward 3h 46m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Colchester, IL to Markham, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Colchester, IL to Markham, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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