The drive from Markham, IL to Heyworth, IL covers 134.2 miles and takes about 2h 34m 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 1450 East Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 93 miles on I 55.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.98 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
67.1 miles from Markham, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 18m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 34m. Total distance: 134.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 34m highway drive covering 134.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and I 80. The longest continuous stretch is about 93 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 14 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 93 miles.
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.
Driving Effort5/10
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 134.2 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.
6
122.3 mi into trip|~2h 17m in|I 74; US 51
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74; US 51 toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business N...
6
124.4 mi into trip|~2h 20m in|US 51
Take the exit onto US 51 toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Decatur, Bloomington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 135
Toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Decat...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Markham, IL and Heyworth, IL, road signs point toward Decatur and Bloomington.
Decatur
122.3 mi in|~2h 17m|via I 74; US 51
Bloomington
124.4 mi in|~2h 20m|via US 51
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
93 mi
1h 40m
I 80
28 mi
34m
North 1450 East Road
8.1 mi
10m
I 74
2.1 mi
2m
West Cleveland Street
0.8 mi
2m
Kedzie Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
US 51
0.3 mi
<1m
East 200 North Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 93 mi, about 1h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Markham, IL and Heyworth, 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 left at fork onto I 74; US 51
2.1 mi·2 min·I 74; US 51
Toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur
8
Take the exit onto US 51
0.3 mi·39 sec·US 51
Exit 135Toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Decatur, Bloomington
9
Continue on US 51
8.1 mi·10 min·North 1450 East Road
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·59 sec
Toward US 136: Heyworth, McLean
11
Turn left onto US 136
0.2 mi·15 sec·East 200 North Road
12
Continue on West Cleveland Street
0.8 mi·2 min·West Cleveland Street
13
Turn left onto Emery Street
501 ft·21 sec·Emery Street
14
Arrive at destination
Emery Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.1 miles from Markham, IL, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93 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 30 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.1 miles or 1h 18m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Heyworth, 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 134.2 miles and 2h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 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 93 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 67.1 mi from Markham, IL
· 1h 18m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.3
0
$14.09
$6.44
Efficient EV
33.6
0
$11.74
$5.37
EV Truck/SUV
53.7
0
$18.79
$8.59
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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 as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Markham, IL
Morning
in Markham on Saturday
Local time
11:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Partly Sunny
WNW 20 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 9:34AM CDT until April 21 at 5:46AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 9:33AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Heyworth, IL
Morning
in Heyworth on Saturday
Local time
11:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Gardner, IL
67 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
2 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
2h 34m 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 Heyworth, IL covers 134.2 miles and takes about 2h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, I 80, North 1450 East 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 67.1 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 $20.98 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 134.2 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.
Between Markham, IL and Heyworth, IL, road signs point toward Decatur and Bloomington.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
