The drive from Richmond, IL to Markham, IL covers 80.4 miles and takes about 1h 46m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 12, Tri-State Tollway, IL 53 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 31 miles on US 12.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.57 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
40.2 miles from Richmond, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 80.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (64%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 46m highway drive covering 80.4 miles, with most of the trip on US 12 and Tri-State Tollway. The longest continuous stretch is about 31 miles on US 12.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 12 is the longest continuous segment at about 31 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 12 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 32.7 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.4 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 32.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 37.4 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.4 miles (I 290): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
32.7 mi into trip|~42m in
Take the ramp toward IL 53 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward IL 53 South
8
37.4 mi into trip|~49m 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
7
44.4 mi into trip|~58m 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
8
53.6 mi into trip|~1h 10m 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
7
78.7 mi into trip|~1h 42m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Richmond, IL to Markham, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Indiana along the way.
Indiana
53.6 mi in|~1h 10m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 12
31 mi
40m
Tri-State Tollway
23.8 mi
30m
IL 53
11.3 mi
14m
I 290
9.3 mi
12m
Main Street
1.7 mi
2m
Mile-Long Bridge
0.9 mi
1m
Kedzie Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
West 159th Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 12
— 31 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond, IL and Markham, IL.
1
Start on Broadway Street
46 ft·7 sec·Broadway Street
2
Turn left onto US 12
1.7 mi·2 min·Main Street
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on US 12
12 mi·14 min·US 12
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on US 12; IL 59
1.1 mi·1 min·US 12; IL 59
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on US 12; IL 59
0.3 mi·26 sec·US 12; IL 59
6
Continue on US 12; IL 59
0.1 mi·7 sec·US 12; IL 59
7
Continue on US 12; IL 59
1.7 mi·1 min·US 12; IL 59
8
Continue on US 12; IL 59
1.1 mi·1 min·US 12; IL 59
9
Continue on US 12; IL 59
14 mi·20 min·US 12; IL 59
Use the left lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward IL 53 SouthUse the right lane.
11
Merge onto IL 53
4.4 mi·5 min·IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
7.0 mi·9 min·IL 53
Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 290
9.3 mi·12 min·I 290
Toward I 290 East: ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 15AToward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, IndianaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 294
0.4 mi·47 sec·Tri-State Tollway
Exit 15AToward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
16
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
17
Merge onto I 294
137 ft·1 sec·Tri-State Tollway
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
3.5 mi·4 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 294
0.9 mi·1 min·Mile-Long Bridge
21
Continue on I 294
14 mi·17 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 6B-AToward US 6: 159th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 6BToward US 6 West: 159th Street
24
Turn straight onto US 6
0.4 mi·56 sec·West 159th Street
25
Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Kedzie Avenue
26
Turn right onto 163rd Street
64 ft·2 sec·163rd Street
27
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 40.2 miles from Richmond, IL, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31 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 18 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.2 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 29m
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 Richmond, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Richmond, IL
This is one driving day of about 80.4 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Richmond, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 12 for about 31 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40.2 mi from Richmond, IL
· 52m into the drive
The midpoint is around 40.2 miles from Richmond, 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.
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 77.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.57 one way
$25.14 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$13.80
$27.60
premium
$4.89
$15.47
$30.94
diesel
$5.61
$17.75
$35.50
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
$13
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.1
0
$8.44
$3.86
Efficient EV
20.1
0
$7.04
$3.22
EV Truck/SUV
32.2
0
$11.26
$5.15
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Richmond, IL
Late night
in Richmond on Saturday
Local time
12:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Markham, IL
Late night
in Markham on Saturday
Local time
12:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 46m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Richmond, IL to Markham, IL covers 80.4 miles and takes about 1h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 12, Tri-State Tollway, IL 53. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 40.2 miles from Richmond, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.57 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.4 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 32.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 37.4 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.4 miles (I 290): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Richmond, IL to Markham, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Indiana along the way.
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.
