Trip from Markham, IL to Vernon, IL

Q: What are the main roads on this route?

The main roads are I 57, I 70, United States Highway 51. 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 116.5 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 $36.43 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

4h 14m

Distance

233 mi

375 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

4h 2m ★

6 AM

4h 15m

8 AM

4h 41m

10 AM

4h 24m

12 PM

4h 22m

3 PM

4h 26m

5 PM

4h 40m

8 PM

4h 7m

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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Trip Overview

The drive from Markham, IL to Vernon, IL covers 233 miles and takes about 4h 14m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 57, I 70, United States Highway 51 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 187.1 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.43 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

116.5 miles from Markham, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 14m. Total distance: 233 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 4h 14m highway drive covering 233 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and I 70. The longest continuous stretch is about 187.1 miles on I 57.

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

There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 187.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and I 70. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 4h 14m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 3.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 190.7 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

7

3.3 mi into trip | ~5m in

Take the exit toward I 57 South: Memphis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Exit 151A Toward I 57 South: Memphis

5

3.6 mi into trip | ~5m in | I 57

Merge onto I 57

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

5

190.7 mi into trip | ~3h 27m in | I 70

Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 toward I 70 West: Saint Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 70 West: Saint Louis

6

219.8 mi into trip | ~3h 59m in

Take the exit toward US 51 (Kennedy Boulevard): Vandalia, Pana

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

Exit 63 Toward US 51 (Kennedy Boulevard): Vandalia, Pan...

5

233 mi into trip | ~4h 14m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

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 Vernon, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Pana along the way.

Pana

219.8 mi in | ~3h 59m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 57	187.1 mi	3h 22m
I 70	29.2 mi	31m
United States Highway 51	10.8 mi	12m
I 80	2.3 mi	3m
North Kennedy Boulevard	1.4 mi	1m
Kedzie Avenue	0.6 mi	1m
West Gallatin Street	0.5 mi	<1m
West Broadway Street	<0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 57 — 187.1 mi, about 3h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Markham, IL and Vernon, 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

2.3 mi · 3 min · I 80

5

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 31 sec

Exit 151A Toward I 57 South: Memphis Use the straight / slight left lanes.

6

Merge onto I 57

187 mi · 3 hr 22 min · I 57

Use the straight / right lanes.

7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 70

29 mi · 31 min · I 70

Toward I 70 West: Saint Louis

8

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 37 sec

Exit 63 Toward US 51 (Kennedy Boulevard): Vandalia, Pana

9

Merge onto US 51

1.4 mi · 1 min · North Kennedy Boulevard

10

Turn left onto US 40; US 51; IL 185

0.5 mi · 34 sec · West Gallatin Street

11

Turn right

0.1 mi · 7 sec

12

Continue on US 51

11 mi · 12 min · United States Highway 51

13

Turn right onto West Broadway Street

147 ft · 12 sec · West Broadway Street

14

Turn left

122 ft · 9 sec

15

Arrive at destination

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 116.5 miles from Markham, IL, or about 2h 7m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 187.1 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 51 miles or 56m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 116.5 miles or 2h 7m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 28m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Vernon, 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 233 miles and 4h 14m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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 57 for about 187.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 116.5 mi from Markham, IL · 2h 7m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Champaign, IL

117 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 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Champaign, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 116.5 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 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 187.1 miles.

Arriving in Vernon, IL

The final approach into Vernon, 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 Vernon, 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.

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

$36.43 one way

$72.85 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 82 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$40.00	$79.99
premium	$4.89	$44.84	$89.68
diesel	$5.61	$51.44	$102.89

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$36

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 81.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	69.9	0	$24.46	$11.18
Efficient EV	58.3	0	$20.39	$9.32
EV Truck/SUV	93.2	1	$32.62	$14.91

Gas CO2

82 kg

EV CO2

27 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

Afternoon in Markham on Thursday

Local time

3:17 PM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Vernon, IL

Afternoon in Vernon on Thursday

Local time

3:17 PM

CDT

Current temp

80°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 7 to 10 mph 8% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 7:58AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 7:30AM CDT until April 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL

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

11 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

4h 14m 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 Vernon, IL covers 233 miles and takes about 4h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 57, I 70, United States Highway 51. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 116.5 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 $36.43 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 straightforward 4h 14m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 3.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 190.7 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

On the drive from Markham, IL to Vernon, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Pana along the way.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.

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