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Trip from Galena, IL to Markham, IL

Drive Time

3h 47m

Distance

179.8 mi

289 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

44 DC fast

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.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Download GPX
county seat of Jo Daviess County, Illinois

Galena, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Markham, IL, IL

Markham, IL

Stéphane Tendon

Trip Overview

The drive from Galena, IL to Markham, IL covers 179.8 miles and takes about 3h 47m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, Tri-State Tollway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 71.5 miles on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.31 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

89.9 miles from Galena, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 3h 47m drive with frequent turns across 179.8 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 71.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 137.1 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 179.8 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 137.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.8 miles (I 290): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

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

8
137.1 mi into trip | ~2h 49m in

Take the exit toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 68A-B Toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs
9
137.6 mi into trip | ~2h 50m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 68A Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West S...
7
143.8 mi into trip | ~2h 58m in | I 290

Keep slight right at fork onto I 290 toward I 290 East: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 290 East: Chicago
8
153.1 mi into trip | ~3h 10m in

Take the exit toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

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 15A Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
7
178.1 mi into trip | ~3h 43m in

Take the exit toward US 6: 159th Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 6B-A Toward US 6: 159th Street

Towns Along This Route

Between Galena, IL and Markham, IL, road signs point toward Suburbs and Indiana.

Suburbs

137.1 mi in | ~2h 49m

Indiana

153.1 mi in | ~3h 10m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway 71.5 mi 1h 31m
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway 49.5 mi 53m
Tri-State Tollway 23.8 mi 30m
I 290 14.9 mi 19m
West State Road 9.8 mi 11m
West North Avenue 2.1 mi 3m
Mile-Long Bridge 0.9 mi 1m
Madison Street 0.7 mi 1m
Longest stretch: U.S. Grant Memorial Highway — 71.5 mi, about 1h 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on South Bench Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Bench Street
2

At end of road, turn right onto South Bench Street

106 ft · 10 sec · South Bench Street
3

Turn left onto US 20; IL 84

0.7 mi · 1 min · Decatur Street
4

Continue on US 20; IL 84

13 mi · 17 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
5

Continue on US 20

0.7 mi · 1 min · Madison Street
6

Continue on US 20

0.1 mi · 20 sec · West Diagonal Street
7

Continue on US 20

0.4 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
8

Continue on US 20

4.6 mi · 6 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
9

Continue on US 20

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Woodbine Street
10

Continue on US 20

6.4 mi · 8 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
11

Continue on US 20

2.1 mi · 3 min · West North Avenue
12

Continue on US 20

33 mi · 41 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
13

Continue on US 20

9.8 mi · 11 min · West State Road
14

Continue on US 20

14 mi · 16 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Toward US 20 East: Chicago
15

Continue on I 39; US 51

0.6 mi · 41 sec · I 39; US 51
16

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90 East: Chicago
17

Merge onto I 90

20 mi · 21 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90

30 mi · 31 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 68A-B Toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs Use the slight right lane.
20

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Exit 68A Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs Use the slight right lane.
21

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 33 sec · this road
Exit 68A Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs
22

Merge onto I 290; IL 53

5.7 mi · 7 min · I 290; IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Keep slight right at fork onto I 290

9.3 mi · 12 min · I 290
Toward I 290 East: Chicago Use the slight right lane.
24

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Exit 15A Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Continue on I 294

0.4 mi · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway
Exit 15A Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
26

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

1.0 mi · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
27

Merge onto I 294

137 ft · 1 sec · Tri-State Tollway
28

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway
29

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30

Continue on I 294

0.9 mi · 1 min · Mile-Long Bridge
31

Continue on I 294

14 mi · 17 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Exit 6B-A Toward US 6: 159th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 54 sec
Exit 6B Toward US 6 West: 159th Street
34

Turn straight onto US 6

0.4 mi · 56 sec · West 159th Street
35

Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Kedzie Avenue
36

Turn right onto 163rd Street

64 ft · 2 sec · 163rd Street
37

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 89.9 miles from Galena, IL, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.5 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 46m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 89.9 miles or 1h 58m 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 3m

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 Galena, 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 Galena, IL

This is one driving day of about 179.8 miles and 3h 47m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Galena, 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 U.S. Grant Memorial Highway for about 71.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 89.9 mi from Galena, IL · 1h 58m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rockford, IL

90 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

Rockford, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rockford, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 89.9 miles from Galena, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before U.S. Grant Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.5 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.

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...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour Free near mile 173.6
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.31 one way

$54.62 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 63 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $30.11 $60.21
premium $4.80 $33.94 $67.89
diesel $5.64 $39.95 $79.89

Estimated Tolls: $4.89

Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (49.5 mi) $3.46
Tri-state Tollway (23.8 mi) $1.43

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Tolls

$5

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 62.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

44 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Eleventh Street Plaza Shopping Center - Tesla Supercharger

Rockford, IL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Woodman's Food Market - Tesla Supercharger

Rockford, IL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Meijer - Tesla Supercharger

Elgin, IL

Tesla

12 DCFC

CherryVale Mall - Tesla Supercharger

Cherry Valley, IL

Tesla

8 DCFC

HAMBLOCK FORD - DCFC

Belvidere, IL

Blink Network

6 DCFC

Thorntons, IL- 47, Huntley, IL

Huntley, IL

BP_PULSE

6 DCFC

Randall Point

Elgin, IL

NAYAX_ENERGY

6 DCFC

Thorntons, Dundee Ave, E Dundee, IL

East Dundee, IL

BP_PULSE

6 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 19 UNIVERSAL: 5 Tesla: 4 EV Connect: 2 RED_E: 2 Blink Network: 2 BP_PULSE: 2 NAYAX_ENERGY: 2 ZEFNET: 1 CIRCLE_K: 1 Electrify America: 1 NOODOE: 1 IN_CHARGE: 1 Non-Networked: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 53.9 0 $18.88 $8.63
Efficient EV 45 0 $15.73 $7.19
EV Truck/SUV 71.9 0 $25.17 $11.51

Gas CO2

63 kg

EV CO2

21 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 data refreshed 4 hours ago

Origin

Galena, IL

Morning in Galena on Monday

Local time

10:55 AM

CDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Markham, IL

Morning in Markham on Monday

Local time

10:55 AM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Mostly Cloudy

SW 15 mph 9% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

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

19 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 47m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Galena, IL to Markham, IL covers 179.8 miles and takes about 3h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, Tri-State Tollway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 89.9 miles from Galena, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.31 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 19 significant decision points across 179.8 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 137.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.8 miles (I 290): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Galena, IL and Markham, IL, road signs point toward Suburbs and Indiana.

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