Trip from Markham, IL to Elmwood, IL

Q: What are the main roads on this route?

The main roads are I 80, IL 29, I 74. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

Q: Is this a good same-day trip?

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Q: Where should I stop halfway?

The midpoint is about 85.5 miles from Markham, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

Q: How much does gas cost for this trip?

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.75 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Q: What is the best time to leave?

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.

Q: How many breaks should I plan?

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

3h 20m

Distance

171.1 mi

275 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

3h 8m ★

6 AM

3h 20m

8 AM

3h 44m

10 AM

3h 29m

12 PM

3h 26m

3 PM

3h 30m

5 PM

3h 43m

8 PM

3h 13m

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

Stéphane Tendon

city in Peoria County, Illinois, United States

Elmwood, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Markham, IL to Elmwood, IL covers 171.1 miles and takes about 3h 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 80, IL 29, I 74 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 92.6 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.75 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

85.5 miles from Markham, IL

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

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 20m. Total distance: 171.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 20m highway drive covering 171.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and IL 29. The longest continuous stretch is about 92.6 miles on I 80.

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

There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 92.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and IL 29. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near I 80.

Driving Effort 5/10

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

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 171.1 miles you will encounter 14 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 93.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 103.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

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.

93.7 mi into trip | ~1h 46m in

Take the exit toward I 180 South: Hennepin

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I 180 South: Hennepin

103.4 mi into trip | ~1h 57m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Peoria

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward Peoria

138.2 mi into trip | ~2h 38m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

163.6 mi into trip | ~3h 8m in

Take the exit toward Canton, Kewanee

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

Toward Canton, Kewanee

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 Elmwood, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.

Peoria

103.4 mi in | ~1h 57m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 80	92.6 mi	1h 43m
IL 29	32.6 mi	38m
I 74	15 mi	16m
I 180	8.7 mi	9m
IL 6	8.6 mi	9m
IL 78	4.5 mi	7m
West Tucker Road	2 mi	2m
North Bell School Road	0.6 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 80 — 92.6 mi, about 1h 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on 163rd Street

64 ft · 6 sec · 163rd Street

Turn right onto Kedzie Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · Kedzie Avenue

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 80 West

Merge onto I 80

93 mi · 1 hr 43 min · I 80

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 2 min

Toward I 180 South: Hennepin

Continue on I 180

8.7 mi · 9 min · I 180

Keep slight right at fork

2.1 mi · 2 min

Toward Peoria

Continue on IL 29

33 mi · 38 min · IL 29

Continue on IL 29

0.1 mi · 14 sec · North Galena Road

Turn right

0.1 mi · 9 sec

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 2 min

Continue on IL 6

8.6 mi · 9 min · IL 6

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 55 sec

Toward I 74 West: Galesburg

Merge onto I 74

15 mi · 16 min · I 74

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec

Toward Canton, Kewanee

At end of road, turn left onto C-34

0.6 mi · 57 sec · North Bell School Road

Turn right onto West Tucker Road

2.0 mi · 2 min · West Tucker Road

Turn left onto IL 78

4.5 mi · 7 min · IL 78

Turn right onto IL 8; IL 78

99 ft · 2 sec · West Main Street

Arrive at destination

IL 8; IL 78

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

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.6 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 38 miles or 43m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 85.5 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 42m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elmwood, 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 171.1 miles and 3h 20m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 80 for about 92.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 85.5 mi from Markham, IL · 1h 36m into the drive

United States cavalry commander (1839–1876)

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Custer, IL

86 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

Joliet, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Peru, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 85.5 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 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 92.6 miles.

Arriving in Elmwood, IL

The final approach into Elmwood, 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 Elmwood, 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

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

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

$26.75 one way

$53.50 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 60 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$29.37	$58.74
premium	$4.89	$32.93	$65.85
diesel	$5.61	$37.78	$75.55

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 59.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

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

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	51.3	$17.97	$8.21
Efficient EV	42.8	$14.97	$6.84
EV Truck/SUV	68.4	$23.95	$10.95

Gas CO2

60 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 as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Markham, IL

Night in Markham on Thursday

Local time

9:49 PM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Elmwood, IL

Night in Elmwood on Thursday

Local time

9:49 PM

CDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

52°F

Custer, IL

86 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

16 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 20m 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 Elmwood, IL covers 171.1 miles and takes about 3h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 80, IL 29, I 74. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 85.5 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 $26.75 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.