Trip from McHenry, IL to Markham, IL

Drive Time

1h 40m

Distance

71.4 mi

115 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min

4 AM

1h 33m ★

6 AM

1h 41m

8 AM

1h 56m

10 AM

1h 46m

12 PM

1h 45m

3 PM

1h 47m

5 PM

1h 55m

8 PM

1h 36m

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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McHenry, IL

Stéphane Tendon

Markham, IL

Stéphane Tendon

Trip Overview

The drive from McHenry, IL to Markham, IL covers 71.4 miles and takes about 1h 40m 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, IL 53 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 23.8 miles on Tri-State Tollway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.84 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

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

35.7 miles from McHenry, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from McHenry, IL to Markham, IL covers 71.4 miles and takes about 1h 40m, 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 29 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 23.8 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 23.8 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 71.4 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 23.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 28.5 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.4 miles (I 290): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

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

23.8 mi into trip | ~36m in

Take the ramp toward IL 53 South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward IL 53 South

28.5 mi into trip | ~43m in | IL 53

Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53 toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road

35.4 mi into trip | ~52m in | I 290

Keep slight right at fork onto I 290 toward I 290 East: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 290 East: Chicago

44.7 mi into trip | ~1h 4m in

Take the exit toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

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 15A Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

69.8 mi into trip | ~1h 37m in

Take the exit toward US 6: 159th Street

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 6B-A Toward US 6: 159th Street

Towns Along This Route

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

Indiana

44.7 mi in | ~1h 4m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Tri-State Tollway	23.8 mi	30m
US 12	17.3 mi	24m
IL 53	11.3 mi	14m
I 290	9.3 mi	12m
West Elm Street	2.6 mi	4m
West Belvidere Road	1.9 mi	2m
Rand Road	1.1 mi	1m
Mile-Long Bridge	0.9 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Tri-State Tollway — 23.8 mi, about 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between McHenry, IL and Markham, IL.

Start on this road

73 ft · 10 sec · this road

Turn left

109 ft · 10 sec

Turn right onto North Green Street

0.9 mi · 2 min · North Green Street

Turn right onto IL 120

2.6 mi · 4 min · West Elm Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on IL 120

1.1 mi · 1 min · Rand Road

Continue on IL 120

1.9 mi · 2 min · West Belvidere Road

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto US 12; IL 59

0.1 mi · 7 sec · US 12; IL 59

Use the right lane.

Continue on US 12; IL 59

0.1 mi · 7 sec · US 12; IL 59

Continue on US 12; IL 59

1.7 mi · 1 min · US 12; IL 59

Continue on US 12; IL 59

1.1 mi · 1 min · US 12; IL 59

Continue on US 12; IL 59

14 mi · 20 min · US 12; IL 59

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Toward IL 53 South Use the right lane.

Merge onto IL 53

4.4 mi · 5 min · IL 53

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53

7.0 mi · 9 min · IL 53

Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 290

9.3 mi · 12 min · I 290

Toward I 290 East: Chicago Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Exit 15A Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 294

0.4 mi · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway

Exit 15A Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

1.0 mi · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway

Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

Merge onto I 294

137 ft · 1 sec · Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 294

0.9 mi · 1 min · Mile-Long Bridge

Continue on I 294

14 mi · 17 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Exit 6B-A Toward US 6: 159th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 54 sec

Exit 6B Toward US 6 West: 159th Street

Turn straight onto US 6

0.4 mi · 56 sec · West 159th Street

Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Kedzie Avenue

Turn right onto 163rd Street

64 ft · 2 sec · 163rd Street

Arrive at destination

163rd 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 35.7 miles from McHenry, IL, or about 52m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.8 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 71.4 miles or 1h 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 35.7 miles or 52m 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 25m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Markham, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving McHenry, 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 McHenry, IL

This is one driving day of about 71.4 miles and 1h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from McHenry, IL.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.

The longest stretch is on Tri-State Tollway for about 23.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 35.7 mi from McHenry, IL · 52m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Palatine, IL

36 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

Orland Park, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 71.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Schaumburg, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 35.7 miles from McHenry, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Markham, IL

The final approach into Markham, 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 Markham, IL.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$10.84 one way

$21.69 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 25 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$11.96	$23.91
premium	$4.80	$13.48	$26.96
diesel	$5.64	$15.86	$31.73

Estimated Tolls: $1.43

Tri-state Tollway (23.8 mi) $1.43

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

$11

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 25 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	21.4	$7.50	$3.43
Efficient EV	17.9	$6.25	$2.86
EV Truck/SUV	28.6	$10.00	$4.57

Gas CO2

25 kg

EV CO2

8 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 data refreshed 6 hours ago

Origin

McHenry, IL

Afternoon in McHenry on Monday

Local time

1:18 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Markham, IL

Afternoon in Markham on Monday

Local time

1:18 PM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 15 mph 38% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA 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

28 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

1h 40m 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 McHenry, IL to Markham, IL covers 71.4 miles and takes about 1h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Tri-State Tollway, US 12, IL 53. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 35.7 miles from McHenry, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.84 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.

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

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Trip from McHenry, IL to Markham, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Markham, IL

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

McHenry, IL

Markham, IL

Same local time

28 degrees warmer at arrival

1h 40m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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