The drive from Markham, IL to Richmond, IL covers 80.7 miles and takes about 1h 45m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Tri-State Tollway, US 12, North Rand Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 22.9 miles on Tri-State Tollway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.62 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.
Midpoint
40.3 miles from Markham, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 54m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 45m. Total distance: 80.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (48%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Markham, IL to Richmond, IL covers 80.7 miles and takes about 1h 45m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Tri-State Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 22.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.7 miles you will encounter 13 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 2.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 24.1 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 25.3 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
2.7 mi into trip|~4m in
Turn left toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Exit 8
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
6
24.1 mi into trip|~31m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
25.3 mi into trip|~33m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Take the exit onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 31
Toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Roc...
7
25.3 mi into trip|~33m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 290 West, I 294 North: Rockford, Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 31
Toward I 290 West, I 294 North: Rockford, Milwa...
6
40.7 mi into trip|~54m in|IL 53
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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 Richmond, IL, road signs point toward Milwaukee, Chicago and Saint Charles Road West.
Milwaukee
25.3 mi in|~33m|via I 294
Chicago
25.3 mi in|~33m|via I 294
Saint Charles Road West
27 mi in|~36m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Tri-State Tollway
22.9 mi
28m
US 12
16 mi
18m
North Rand Road
14.3 mi
18m
I 290
13.4 mi
17m
IL 53
8.9 mi
11m
Kedzie Avenue
2.3 mi
4m
Lake Cook Road
0.7 mi
1m
West 147th Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Tri-State Tollway
— 22.9 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Markham, IL and Richmond, IL.
1
Start on 163rd Street
64 ft·10 sec·163rd Street
2
Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue
2.3 mi·4 min·Kedzie Avenue
3
Turn right onto IL 83
0.4 mi·38 sec·West 147th Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 8Toward I 294 North: WisconsinUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 294
21 mi·25 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
1.2 mi·1 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto I 294
321 ft·7 sec·Tri-State Tollway
Exit 31Toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
0.8 mi·1 min·Tri-State Tollway
Exit 31Toward I 290 West, I 294 North: Rockford, Milwaukee
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 290 West: Rockford
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward Saint Charles Road West
11
Merge onto I 290
13 mi·17 min·I 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
8.9 mi·11 min·IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on Lake Cook Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Lake Cook Road
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on US 12
14 mi·18 min·North Rand Road
Use the right lane.
15
Continue on US 12; IL 59
1.9 mi·2 min·US 12; IL 59
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on US 12; IL 59
12 mi·14 min·US 12; IL 59
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on US 12
1.7 mi·2 min·US 12
18
Turn right onto Broadway Street
46 ft·2 sec·Broadway Street
19
Arrive at destination
Broadway 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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 40.3 miles from Markham, IL, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22.9 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 18 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.3 miles or 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richmond, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Markham, IL
This is one driving day of about 80.7 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Markham, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Tri-State Tollway for about 22.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40.3 mi from Markham, IL
· 54m into the drive
The midpoint is around 40.3 miles from Markham, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Richmond, IL
The final approach into Richmond, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.62 one way
$25.23 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$13.85
$27.70
premium
$4.89
$15.53
$31.06
diesel
$5.61
$17.82
$35.64
Estimated Tolls: $1.37
Tri-state Tollway
(22.9 mi)$1.37
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.2
0
$8.47
$3.87
Efficient EV
20.2
0
$7.06
$3.23
EV Truck/SUV
32.3
0
$11.30
$5.16
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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
Morning
in Markham on Saturday
Local time
9:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Richmond, IL
Morning
in Richmond on Saturday
Local time
9:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1h 45m 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 Richmond, IL covers 80.7 miles and takes about 1h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tri-State Tollway, US 12, North Rand Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 40.3 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 $12.62 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.7 miles you will encounter 13 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 2.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 24.1 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 25.3 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Markham, IL and Richmond, IL, road signs point toward Milwaukee, Chicago and Saint Charles Road West.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
