The drive from Markham, IL to Washburn, IL covers 118.9 miles and takes about 2h 23m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 80, I 39, 700 North Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 75.6 miles on I 80.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.59 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
59.5 miles from Markham, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 23m. Total distance: 118.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
This is a 2h 23m highway drive covering 118.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and I 39. The longest continuous stretch is about 75.6 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 12 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 75.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 39. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Kedzie Avenue.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 23m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Kedzie Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Kedzie Avenue
Turn right onto Kedzie Avenue
Navigation decision point
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.
6
76.6 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Normal, Bloomington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 79A
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Normal, Bloomin...
5
100.7 mi into trip|~1h 54m in
Take the exit toward IL 17: Lacon, Wenona
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IL 17: Lacon, Wenona
4
118.6 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|IL 89 / North Jefferson Street
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 89 / North Jefferson Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
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 Washburn, IL, road signs point toward Bloomington and Wenona.
Bloomington
76.6 mi in|~1h 27m
Wenona
100.7 mi in|~1h 54m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
75.6 mi
1h 25m
I 39
23.6 mi
25m
700 North Road
9.1 mi
13m
Main Street
5.4 mi
9m
2160 E Rd
3 mi
5m
Kedzie Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
North Jefferson Street
0.4 mi
<1m
163rd Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 75.6 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Markham, IL and Washburn, 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
76 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 79AToward I 39 South, US 51 South: Normal, Bloomington
6
Merge onto I 39; US 51
24 mi·25 min·I 39; US 51
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward IL 17: Lacon, Wenona
8
Turn straight onto IL 17
9.1 mi·13 min·700 North Road
9
Turn left onto IL 89
3.0 mi·5 min·2160 E Rd
10
Continue on IL 89
5.4 mi·9 min·Main Street
11
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 89
0.4 mi·37 sec·North Jefferson Street
12
Arrive at destination
IL 89
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 59.5 miles from Markham, IL, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.6 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 26 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.5 miles or 1h 8m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washburn, 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 118.9 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Markham, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 75.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.5 mi from Markham, IL
· 1h 8m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.59 one way
$37.18 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$20.41
$40.82
premium
$4.89
$22.88
$45.76
diesel
$5.61
$26.25
$52.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.7
0
$12.48
$5.71
Efficient EV
29.7
0
$10.40
$4.76
EV Truck/SUV
47.6
0
$16.65
$7.61
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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 17, 2026
Origin
Markham, IL
Afternoon
in Markham on Friday
Local time
4:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Mostly Sunny
S 15 to 20 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 12:41PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 12:41PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Washburn, IL
Afternoon
in Washburn on Friday
Local time
4:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 18 to 23 mph31% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 12:41PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 12:41PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
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
3 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 23m 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 Washburn, IL covers 118.9 miles and takes about 2h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, I 39, 700 North 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 59.5 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 $18.59 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 is a straightforward 2h 23m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Kedzie Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Markham, IL and Washburn, IL, road signs point toward Bloomington and Wenona.
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.
