The drive from Petersburg, IL to Markham, IL covers 276.1 miles and takes about 5h 9m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 55, I 80, North Illinois Street for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 234.9 miles on I 55.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $43.17 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
138 miles from Petersburg, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 9m. Total distance: 276.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 9m highway drive covering 276.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and I 80. The longest continuous stretch is about 234.9 miles on I 55.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 234.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 80. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 276.1 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 3.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 123.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
3.3 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the exit toward IL 159: Belleville, Collinsville
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 12
Toward IL 159: Belleville, Collinsville
8
3.6 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Collinsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward Collinsville
7
123.5 mi into trip|~2h 19m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
152.9 mi into trip|~2h 51m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7
246.7 mi into trip|~4h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Indiana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 250A
Toward I 80 East: Indiana
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Petersburg, IL and Markham, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.
Springfield
15.6 mi in|~23m|via I 55
Kansas City
15.6 mi in|~23m|via I 55
Peoria
152.9 mi in|~2h 51m|via I 55
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
234.9 mi
4h 13m
I 80
27.6 mi
34m
North Illinois Street
3.8 mi
5m
Vandalia Street
2.8 mi
4m
I 64
1.8 mi
2m
South Morrison Avenue
1.3 mi
1m
Kedzie Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
West State Street
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 234.9 mi, about 4h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Petersburg, IL and Markham, IL.
1
Start on West State Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West State Street
2
Enter roundabout onto West State Street
72 ft·3 sec·West State Street
3
Continue on West State Street
0.2 mi·27 sec·West State Street
4
Turn right onto West Highway 50
0.5 mi·51 sec·West Highway 50
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·51 sec
6
Merge onto I 64; US 50
1.8 mi·2 min·I 64; US 50
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 12Toward IL 159: Belleville, CollinsvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
220 ft·5 sec
Toward CollinsvilleUse the right lane.
9
Turn straight onto IL 159
3.8 mi·5 min·North Illinois Street
10
Continue on IL 159
1.3 mi·1 min·South Morrison Avenue
11
Continue on IL 159
2.8 mi·4 min·Vandalia Street
12
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East
13
Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40
3.8 mi·4 min·I 55; I 70; US 40
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
108 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
94 mi·1 hr 40 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 250AToward I 80 East: IndianaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 80
28 mi·34 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 154Toward Kedzie AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·Kedzie Avenue
21
Turn left onto 163rd Street
64 ft·2 sec·163rd Street
22
Arrive at destination
163rd Street
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 138 miles from Petersburg, IL, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 234.9 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 61 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138 miles or 2h 35m 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 10m
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 Petersburg, 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 Petersburg, IL
This is one driving day of about 276.1 miles and 5h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Petersburg, 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 55 for about 234.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 138 mi from Petersburg, IL
· 2h 35m 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.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
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
near mile 276.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.17 one way
$86.33 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$47.39
$94.79
premium
$4.89
$53.13
$106.27
diesel
$5.61
$60.96
$121.92
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.8
1
$28.99
$13.25
Efficient EV
69
0
$24.16
$11.04
EV Truck/SUV
110.4
1
$38.65
$17.67
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Petersburg, IL
Night
in Petersburg on Thursday
Local time
9:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Markham, IL
Night
in Markham on Thursday
Local time
9:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 10 to 15 mph28% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 16 at 3:15PM CDT until April 16 at 4:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 16 at 3:10PM CDT until April 16 at 4:15PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
52°F
Bloomington, IL
138 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
13 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 9m 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 Petersburg, IL to Markham, IL covers 276.1 miles and takes about 5h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, I 80, North Illinois 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 138 miles from Petersburg, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $43.17 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 demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 276.1 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 123.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Petersburg, IL and Markham, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park.
