Origin
Decatur, IL
Afternoon in Decatur on Sunday
Local time
3:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Decatur, IL to Markham, IL
Drive Time
1h 40m
Distance
86 mi
138 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 33m
★
6 AM
1h 40m
8 AM
1h 55m
10 AM
1h 45m
12 PM
1h 44m
3 PM
1h 46m
5 PM
1h 54m
8 PM
1h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Decatur, IL
Stéphane Tendon
Markham, IL
Mike Tyurin
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Decatur to Markham, expect a straightforward 86-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes. Because the total distance is relatively short, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-72, West Eldorado Street, and I-72 Bus, making for a direct transit across the Illinois landscape. With an estimated fuel cost of just $13, this is an affordable drive that remains budget-friendly for solo travelers and families alike. Both the origin and destination are located within the Midwest, keeping the drive consistent in terms of regional character and climate expectations. It is a practical, efficient connection that gets you from point A to point B without unnecessary complexity.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
43 miles from Decatur, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 86-mile trek offers a mixed driving profile, balancing local navigation with steady interstate travel. You will spend roughly 56% of your time on highways, providing a consistent pace for the majority of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs along I-72, where you can settle in for 42 miles of highway driving. Transitioning from the local streets of Decatur onto the larger interstate system creates a noticeable shift in rhythm, moving from urban traffic patterns to a more open, high-speed environment. As you progress, the road feel changes from the slower, multi-lane city infrastructure to the more predictable flow of the interstate, ensuring a functional experience behind the wheel.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 72 is the longest continuous segment at about 42 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near US 36 / West Eldorado Street.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Decatur, IL to Markham, IL is easy. At 1h 40m with 56% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (US 36 / West Eldorado Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 36.2 miles (I 72; US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.5 miles (I 72; US 36): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 36 / West Eldorado Street
Turn left onto US 36 / West Eldorado Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
36.2 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
I 72; US 36
Take the exit onto I 72; US 36 toward I 55 South, I 72 West: Saint Louis, Jacksonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South, I 72 West: Saint Louis, Jack...
6
41.5 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
I 72; US 36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36 toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
5
78.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 72 Business East, US 67 North: Jacksonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 72 Business East, US 67 North: Jackson...
4
84.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
|
Markham Road
Turn left onto Markham Road
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Decatur, IL to Markham, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Jacksonville along the way.
Jacksonville
36.2 mi in
|
~41m
|
via I 72; US 36
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 72 | 42 mi | 46m |
| West Eldorado Street | 35.8 mi | 40m |
| I 72 Bus | 6 mi | 6m |
| Markham Road | 1.1 mi | 4m |
| South Franklin Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East Wood Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 72
— 42 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Decatur, IL and Markham, IL.
1
Start on East Wood Street
507 ft
·
23 sec
·
East Wood Street
2
Turn left onto US 51 Business
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
South Franklin Street
3
Turn left onto US 36
36 mi
·
40 min
·
West Eldorado Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit onto I 72; US 36
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
I 72; US 36
Toward I 55 South, I 72 West: Saint Louis, Jacksonville
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36
37 mi
·
39 min
·
I 72; US 36
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 72 Business East, US 67 North: Jacksonville
7
Merge onto I 72 Bus; US 67
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
I 72 Bus; US 67
8
Turn left onto Markham Road
1.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Markham Road
9
Arrive at destination
Markham Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though leaving during off-peak hours can help you avoid potential congestion on the main roads. Because there are no mandatory stops listed for this 1 hour and 40-minute duration, you can easily complete the trip in one go without extensive planning. However, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is always wise; with a $13 fuel budget, you should be able to cover the distance comfortably on a single tank. Make sure to account for the transition between the I-72 Bus route and the main interstate, as these sections require more attention to signage compared to the longer, uninterrupted stretches. Use the shorter duration to your advantage by planning your arrival to coincide with local traffic lulls in the Markham area.
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 43 miles from Decatur, IL, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43 miles or 50m 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 22m
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 Decatur, 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 Decatur, IL
This is one driving day of about 86 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Decatur, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 72 for about 42 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43 mi from Decatur, IL · 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 43 miles from Decatur, 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
$13.06 one way
$26.13 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $14.40 | $28.80 |
| premium | $4.80 | $16.24 | $32.47 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $19.11 | $38.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.8 | 0 | $9.03 | $4.13 |
| Efficient EV | 21.5 | 0 | $7.52 | $3.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.4 | 0 | $12.04 | $5.50 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Markham, IL
Afternoon in Markham on Sunday
Local time
3:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
55°F
Peoria, IL
43 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
18 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 40m 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 Decatur, IL to Markham, IL covers 86 miles and takes about 1h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 72, West Eldorado Street, I 72 Bus. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43 miles from Decatur, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.06 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Decatur, IL to Markham, IL is easy. At 1h 40m with 56% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (US 36 / West Eldorado Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 36.2 miles (I 72; US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.5 miles (I 72; US 36): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Decatur, IL to Markham, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Jacksonville along the way.
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