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Trip from Markham, IL to Clear Lake, IL

Drive Time

3h 27m

Distance

183.9 mi

296 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 15m ★
6 AM
3h 27m
8 AM
3h 51m
10 AM
3h 36m
12 PM
3h 33m
3 PM
3h 37m
5 PM
3h 50m
8 PM
3h 20m

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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Downtown Markham, IL, IL

Markham, IL

Mike Tyurin

Downtown Clear Lake, IL, IL

Clear Lake, IL

Tommes Frites

Trip Overview

The drive from Markham, IL to Clear Lake, IL covers 183.9 miles and takes about 3h 27m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 55, I 80, Camp Butler Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 150.8 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.93 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

92 miles from Markham, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 45m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 3h 27m highway drive covering 183.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and I 80. The longest continuous stretch is about 150.8 miles on I 55.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 150.8 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

800 ft 528 ft

Total Climb

432 ft

Total Descent

476 ft

Highest Point

800 ft

~122.6 mi in

Elevation Range

272 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 80. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near I 80.

Route Complexity 5/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 183.9 miles you will encounter 10 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 1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 29 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 29.3 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

5
1 mi into trip | ~2m in | I 80

Merge onto I 80

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

Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5
29 mi into trip | ~36m in

Take the exit toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 126A Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
5
29.3 mi into trip | ~37m in | I 55

Merge onto I 55

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

Use the right lane.
8
122.3 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in | I 55

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
5
183.8 mi into trip | ~3h 26m in | West Houston Street

Turn left onto West Houston Street

Navigation decision point

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Markham, IL to Clear Lake, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.

Springfield

122.3 mi in | ~2h 17m | via I 55

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 150.8 mi 2h 42m
I 80 28 mi 34m
Camp Butler Road 1.6 mi 2m
Old Route 36 0.8 mi 1m
South Camp Butler Road 0.6 mi 1m
Kedzie Avenue 0.6 mi 1m
East Sangamon Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
North Dixon Street 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 150.8 mi, about 2h 42m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on 163rd Street

64 ft · 6 sec · 163rd Street
2

Turn right onto Kedzie Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · Kedzie Avenue
3

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 80 West
4

Merge onto I 80

28 mi · 34 min · I 80
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 54 sec
Exit 126A Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
6

Merge onto I 55

93 mi · 1 hr 40 min · I 55
Use the right lane.
7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

58 mi · 1 hr 2 min · I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 57 sec
Toward IL 54 East: Clinton
9

Turn straight onto IL 54

0.2 mi · 21 sec · East Sangamon Avenue
10

Turn slight right onto Camp Butler Road

1.6 mi · 2 min · Camp Butler Road
11

Continue on South Camp Butler Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Camp Butler Road
12

At end of road, turn right onto Old Route 36

0.8 mi · 1 min · Old Route 36
13

Turn left onto North Dixon Street

0.1 mi · 25 sec · North Dixon Street
14

Turn left onto West Houston Street

491 ft · 16 sec · West Houston Street
15

Arrive at destination

West Houston 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 92 miles from Markham, IL, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 150.8 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 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 92 miles or 1h 45m 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 48m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clear Lake, 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 183.9 miles and 3h 27m.

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 55 for about 150.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 92 mi from Markham, IL · 1h 45m into the drive

Downtown Normal, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Normal, IL

92 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

Normal, IL

Fuel and coffee

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

Normal, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 92 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 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 150.8 miles.

Arriving in Clear Lake, IL

The final approach into Clear Lake, 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 Clear Lake, 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.

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...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 183.9
View on nps.gov
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
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.93 one way

$55.87 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 64 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $30.79 $61.58
premium $4.80 $34.72 $69.43
diesel $5.64 $40.86 $81.71

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 64.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 55.2 0 $19.31 $8.83
Efficient EV 46 0 $16.09 $7.36
EV Truck/SUV 73.6 0 $25.75 $11.77

Gas CO2

64 kg

EV CO2

22 kg (66% 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 3 hours ago

Origin

Markham, IL

Evening in Markham on Sunday

Local time

5:33 PM

CDT

Current temp

80°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 25 mph 13% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 1:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 12:16PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Destination

Clear Lake, IL

Evening in Clear Lake on Sunday

Local time

5:33 PM

CDT

Current temp

80°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SSW 23 mph 45% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 1:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 12:16PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00AM 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

3h 27m 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 Markham, IL to Clear Lake, IL covers 183.9 miles and takes about 3h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, I 80, Camp Butler Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 92 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 $27.93 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 183.9 miles you will encounter 10 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 1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 29 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 29.3 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Markham, IL to Clear Lake, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 528 ft to 800 ft elevation with about 432 ft of total climbing.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Clear Lake, IL to Markham, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

183.5 mi 3h 25m

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