The drive from Markham, IL to East Saint Louis, IL covers 278.1 miles and takes about 5h 8m 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, North 9th Street for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 247.1 miles on I 55.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $43.48 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
139 miles from Markham, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 8m. Total distance: 278.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 8m highway drive covering 278.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and I 80. The longest continuous stretch is about 247.1 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 19 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 247.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 80. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 122.3 miles in near I 55.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 278.1 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 122.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 187.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 276.4 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
7
187.1 mi into trip|~3h 28m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
8
276.4 mi into trip|~5h 5m in|I 70
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 toward I 70 West: Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 3B; 3C
Toward I 70 West: Kansas City
8
276.5 mi into trip|~5h 5m in
Take the exit toward Exchange Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 3C
Toward Exchange Avenue
6
277 mi into trip|~5h 6m in|North 9th Street
Enter roundabout onto North 9th Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Markham, IL to East Saint Louis, 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
247.1 mi
4h 27m
I 80
28 mi
34m
North 9th Street
1 mi
1m
Kedzie Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Exchange Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
North 10th Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Saint Louis Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
I 70
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 247.1 mi, about 4h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Markham, IL and East Saint Louis, 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 126AToward 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
65 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, SpringfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
89 mi·1 hr 37 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
248 ft·6 sec·I 70
Exit 3B; 3CToward I 70 West: Kansas CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 3CToward Exchange AvenueUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn left onto Exchange Avenue
0.2 mi·30 sec·Exchange Avenue
12
Turn right onto North 9th Street
0.2 mi·14 sec·North 9th Street
13
Enter roundabout onto North 9th Street
118 ft·1 sec·North 9th Street
14
Continue on North 9th Street
0.1 mi·11 sec·North 9th Street
15
Enter roundabout onto North 9th Street
127 ft·2 sec·North 9th Street
16
Continue on North 9th Street
0.7 mi·1 min·North 9th Street
17
Turn left onto Saint Louis Avenue
366 ft·15 sec·Saint Louis Avenue
18
Turn left onto North 10th Street
0.1 mi·9 sec·North 10th Street
19
Arrive at destination
0 ft·North 10th 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 139 miles from Markham, IL, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 247.1 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 61 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139 miles or 2h 35m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Saint Louis, 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 278.1 miles and 5h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 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 247.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 139 mi from Markham, IL
· 2h 35m into the drive
The midpoint is around 139 miles from Markham, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in East Saint Louis, IL
The final approach into East Saint Louis, 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 East Saint Louis, 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
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 182.2
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.48 one way
$86.96 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$47.74
$95.47
premium
$4.89
$53.52
$107.04
diesel
$5.61
$61.40
$122.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.4
1
$29.20
$13.35
Efficient EV
69.5
0
$24.33
$11.12
EV Truck/SUV
111.2
1
$38.93
$17.80
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Markham, IL
Night
in Markham on Thursday
Local time
9:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Areas Of Fog
ENE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
East Saint Louis, IL
Night
in East Saint Louis on Thursday
Local time
9:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Bloomington, IL
139 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
24 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
5h 8m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 East Saint Louis, IL covers 278.1 miles and takes about 5h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, I 80, North 9th Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 139 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 $43.48 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 278.1 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 122.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 187.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 276.4 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Markham, IL to East Saint Louis, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
