Trip from Markham, IL to Bethany, IL

Drive Time

3h 21m

Distance

174.1 mi

280 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

3h 9m ★

6 AM

3h 21m

8 AM

3h 45m

10 AM

3h 30m

12 PM

3h 27m

3 PM

3h 31m

5 PM

3h 44m

8 PM

3h 14m

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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Markham, IL

Mike Tyurin

Bethany, IL

Stéphane Tendon

Trip Overview

Traveling from Markham to Bethany covers 174.1 miles across the Illinois landscape. You can expect a drive time of approximately 3 hours and 21 minutes, making this a manageable one-day trip. With a fuel budget of roughly $26, it is a budget-friendly way to cross the Midwest. You will primarily utilize I-57 and I-72 to navigate between these two points. Since the entire trip is contained within Illinois, the regional culture remains consistent throughout your journey. Whether you are heading out for a quick weekend getaway or a short-term visit, this route offers a straightforward path that avoids the need for an overnight stay.

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

87.1 miles from Markham, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a trip defined by efficiency, as 97% of your travel takes place on major highways. You will spend the bulk of your time on the interstate, including a significant 109.4-mile stretch along I-57. This makes for a predictable, highway-focused drive that favors steady speeds over winding backroads. Once you transition off the interstates and onto North State Route 121, the pace shifts slightly as you approach your destination. The experience is largely a functional interstate grind, ideal for those who prefer straightforward navigation and consistent road conditions.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 18 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 109.4 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 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Kedzie Avenue.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 174.1 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (Kedzie Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Kedzie Avenue

Turn right onto Kedzie Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

1 mi into trip | ~2m in | I 80

Merge onto I 80

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

Use the none lane.

3.3 mi into trip | ~5m in

Take the exit toward I 57 South: Memphis

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

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Exit 151A Toward I 57 South: Memphis

3.6 mi into trip | ~5m in | I 57

Merge onto I 57

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

Use the none / straight / right lanes.

150.1 mi into trip | ~2h 44m in

Take the exit toward IL 48: Oreana, Decatur

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

Exit 144 Toward IL 48: Oreana, Decatur

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Markham, IL to Bethany, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Decatur along the way.

Decatur

150.1 mi in | ~2h 44m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 57	109.4 mi	1h 58m
I 72	36.6 mi	39m
North State Route 121	12.8 mi	17m
IL 48	5.3 mi	8m
US 36	3.1 mi	4m
I 80	2.3 mi	3m
South Mount Zion Road	2.1 mi	3m
Kedzie Avenue	0.6 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 57 — 109.4 mi, about 1h 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on 163rd Street

64 ft · 6 sec · 163rd Street

Turn right onto Kedzie Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · Kedzie Avenue

Use the none lane.

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 80 West

Merge onto I 80

2.3 mi · 3 min · I 80

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 31 sec

Exit 151A Toward I 57 South: Memphis Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto I 57

109 mi · 1 hr 58 min · I 57

Use the none / straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 235B Toward I 72 West: Decatur

Merge onto I 72

37 mi · 39 min · I 72

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 38 sec

Exit 144 Toward IL 48: Oreana, Decatur

Turn left onto IL 48

5.3 mi · 8 min · IL 48

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto US 36; IL 121

3.1 mi · 4 min · US 36; IL 121

Continue on IL 121

2.1 mi · 3 min · South Mount Zion Road

Continue on IL 121

13 mi · 17 min · North State Route 121

Turn right onto North Washington Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · North Washington Street

Turn left onto West Main Street

138 ft · 11 sec · West Main Street

Turn left onto North Lincoln Street

56 ft · 4 sec · North Lincoln Street

Turn right

101 ft · 7 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Because this drive is easily completed in a single session, you have plenty of flexibility with your departure time. Aim to hit the road early to avoid potential congestion on the main interstate arteries. Since the trip includes only one planned stop, use that break strategically to stretch your legs and refuel before finishing the final leg of the drive. Keep in mind that your fuel costs will stay around $26, so budgeting is simple. For the smoothest experience, prioritize your main transition points between I-57, I-72, and North State Route 121 to ensure you stay on track throughout the 3-hour journey.

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 87.1 miles from Markham, IL, or about 1h 36m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.4 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 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 87.1 miles or 1h 36m 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 Bethany, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Markham, 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 Markham, IL

This is one driving day of about 174.1 miles and 3h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Markham, 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 109.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 87.1 mi from Markham, IL · 1h 36m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Champaign, IL

87 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

Champaign, IL

Fuel and coffee

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

Champaign, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 87.1 miles from Markham, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 109.4 miles.

Arriving in Bethany, IL

The final approach into Bethany, 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 Bethany, 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

$26.44 one way

$52.89 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$29.15	$58.30
premium	$4.80	$32.87	$65.73
diesel	$5.64	$38.68	$77.36

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 60.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

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

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	52.2	$18.28	$8.36
Efficient EV	43.5	$15.23	$6.96
EV Truck/SUV	69.6	$24.37	$11.14

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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Markham, IL

Evening in Markham on Sunday

Local time

5:29 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bethany, IL

Evening in Bethany on Sunday

Local time

5:29 PM

CDT

Current temp

76°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

22 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 21m 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 Markham, IL to Bethany, IL covers 174.1 miles and takes about 3h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 57, I 72, North State Route 121. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 87.1 miles from Markham, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.44 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.

On the drive from Markham, IL to Bethany, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Decatur along the way.

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Trip from Markham, IL to Bethany, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Bethany, IL

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Markham, IL

Bethany, IL

Same local time

22 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 21m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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