Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountData updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
6h 17m
Distance
325.6 mi
524 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Markham, IL
Stéphane Tendon
Chester, IL
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Markham, IL to Chester, IL covers 325.6 miles and takes about 6h 17m 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, IL 3 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 235.7 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $50.90 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
162.8 miles from Markham, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 1m into the drive .
Loading map...
This is a 6h 17m highway drive covering 325.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and I 80. The longest continuous stretch is about 235.7 miles on I 55.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 80. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near I 80.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 325.6 miles you will encounter 11 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Merge onto I 55
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Markham, IL to Chester, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
Springfield
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 235.7 mi | 4h 14m |
| I 80 | 28 mi | 34m |
| IL 3 | 23.3 mi | 28m |
| North Illinois Street | 9.8 mi | 15m |
| South Illinois Street | 8.3 mi | 12m |
| Main Street | 8 mi | 11m |
| State Route 159 | 6.1 mi | 9m |
| Vandalia Street | 3 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Markham, IL and Chester, IL.
Start on 163rd Street
Turn right onto Kedzie Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 80
Take the exit
Merge onto I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
Take the exit
Continue on IL 159
Continue on IL 159
Continue on IL 159
Enter roundabout onto IL 159
Continue on IL 159
Continue on IL 159
Continue on IL 156; IL 159
Continue on IL 159
Continue on IL 159
Continue on IL 3
Turn right onto IL 3; IL 150
Turn right onto East Stacey Street
Arrive at destination
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 162.8 miles or 3h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chester, IL than in the middle of the route.
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 325.6 miles and 6h 17m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 162.8 mi from Markham, IL · 3h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
163 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 162.8 miles from Markham, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 235.7 miles.
The final approach into Chester, 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 Chester, 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.
Regular Gas
$50.90 one way
$101.81 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $55.89 | $111.78 |
| premium | $4.89 | $62.66 | $125.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $71.89 | $143.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 97.7 | 1 | $34.19 | $15.63 |
| Efficient EV | 81.4 | 0 | $28.49 | $13.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 130.2 | 1 | $45.58 | $20.84 |
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Markham on Tuesday
Local time
11:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Morning in Chester on Tuesday
Local time
11:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Markham, IL or browse trips ending in Chester, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.
Explore maps for Markham, IL or Chester, IL on MapSof.net.