The drive from Markham, IL to Lancaster, IL covers 250 miles and takes about 5h 17m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 57, County Road 1150, North 1250th Street for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 155.1 miles on I 57.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.08 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
125 miles from Markham, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 17m. Total distance: 250 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
This is a 5h 17m highway drive covering 250 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and County Road 1150. The longest continuous stretch is about 155.1 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 29 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 155.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and County Road 1150. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 17m drive. You will face about 9 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 158.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 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
158.8 mi into trip|~2h 53m in
Take the exit toward IL 16 East: Charleston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 190A
Toward IL 16 East: Charleston
4
167.6 mi into trip|~3h 6m in|IL 130 / 18th Street
Turn right onto IL 130 / 18th Street
Navigation decision point
4
238.4 mi into trip|~4h 48m in|County Road 1850 N
Turn left onto County Road 1850 N
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
155.1 mi
2h 47m
County Road 1150
14.3 mi
19m
North 1250th Street
13.3 mi
19m
South Van Buren Street
11 mi
15m
Route 130
10 mi
14m
County Road 1100 East
6.7 mi
9m
Illinois Route 16
6 mi
8m
CR 11
5.3 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 155.1 mi, about 2h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Markham, IL and Lancaster, 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 151AToward I 57 South: MemphisUse the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Merge onto I 57
155 mi·2 hr 47 min·I 57
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Exit 190AToward IL 16 East: Charleston
8
Turn straight onto IL 16
0.7 mi·1 min·Charleston Avenue East
9
Continue on IL 16
6.0 mi·8 min·Illinois Route 16
10
Continue on IL 16
1.8 mi·2 min·West Lincoln Avenue
11
Turn right onto IL 130
1.6 mi·2 min·18th Street
12
Continue on IL 130
0.8 mi·1 min·Illinois Route 130
13
Continue on IL 130
10.0 mi·14 min·Route 130
14
Continue on IL 130
2.0 mi·2 min·County Road 1825 East
15
Continue on IL 130
0.8 mi·1 min·County Road 1775 E
16
Continue on IL 130
0.4 mi·32 sec·North Haughton Highway
17
Continue on IL 130
1.3 mi·1 min·1700E
18
Continue on IL 130
4.0 mi·5 min·North Haughton Highway
19
Continue on IL 130
2.1 mi·3 min·County Road 1700E
20
Continue on IL 130
13 mi·19 min·North 1250th Street
21
Turn left onto IL 130
11 mi·15 min·South Van Buren Street
22
Continue on IL 130
6.7 mi·9 min·County Road 1100 East
23
Continue on IL 130
2.5 mi·4 min·North West Street
24
Continue on IL 130
14 mi·19 min·County Road 1150
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn left onto County Road 1850 N
2.0 mi·4 min·County Road 1850 N
26
Continue on Champion Drive
0.8 mi·1 min·Champion Drive
27
Continue on West Lancaster Road
3.5 mi·8 min·West Lancaster Road
28
Continue on CR 11
5.3 mi·12 min·CR 11
29
Arrive at destination
CR 11
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 125 miles from Markham, IL, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 155.1 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 55 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125 miles or 2h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lancaster, 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 250 miles and 5h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 155.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 125 mi from Markham, IL
· 2h 16m 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
$39.08 one way
$78.17 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$42.91
$85.83
premium
$4.89
$48.11
$96.22
diesel
$5.61
$55.20
$110.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75
0
$26.25
$12.00
Efficient EV
62.5
0
$21.88
$10.00
EV Truck/SUV
100
1
$35.00
$16.00
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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
Late night
in Markham on Friday
Local time
4:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lancaster, IL
Late night
in Lancaster on Friday
Local time
4:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 9 to 14 mph20% chanceLive forecast
53°F
Bourbon, IL
125 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
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
5h 17m 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 Lancaster, IL covers 250 miles and takes about 5h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, County Road 1150, North 1250th Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 125 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 $39.08 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 5h 17m drive. You will face about 9 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 158.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Markham, IL to Lancaster, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
