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Trip from Vernon Hills, IL to Markham, IL

Drive Time

1h 15m

Distance

56.3 mi

91 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$9

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 18 min
4 AM
1h 10m ★
6 AM
1h 16m
8 AM
1h 28m
10 AM
1h 20m
12 PM
1h 19m
3 PM
1h 21m
5 PM
1h 27m
8 PM
1h 12m

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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Downtown Vernon Hills, IL, IL

Vernon Hills, IL

Chris Flaten

Downtown Markham, IL, IL

Markham, IL

Stéphane Tendon

Trip Overview

The drive from Vernon Hills, IL to Markham, IL covers 56.3 miles and takes about 1h 15m 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 45, West Half Day Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 48 miles on Tri-State Tollway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.55 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

28.1 miles from Vernon Hills, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 39m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 1h 15m drive with frequent turns across 56.3 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 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 48 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near US 45.

Route Complexity 9/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 56.3 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 0.7 miles (US 45): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.1 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

7
0.7 mi into trip | ~3m in | US 45

At end of road, turn right onto US 45

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
8
8.6 mi into trip | ~14m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare
6
36.1 mi into trip | ~49m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
54.6 mi into trip | ~1h 12m 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
6
54.9 mi into trip | ~1h 12m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 6 West: 159th Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 6B Toward US 6 West: 159th Street

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Vernon Hills, IL to Markham, IL, road signs begin pointing toward O'hare along the way.

O'hare

8.6 mi in | ~14m | via I 294

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Tri-State Tollway 48 mi 59m
US 45 2.4 mi 3m
West Half Day Road 1.8 mi 2m
Mile-Long Bridge 0.9 mi 1m
Kedzie Avenue 0.5 mi 1m
Olde Half Day Road 0.4 mi <1m
West 159th Street 0.4 mi <1m
Evergreen Drive 0.2 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Tri-State Tollway — 48 mi, about 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Oakwood Road

35 ft · 6 sec · Oakwood Road
2

Turn left onto Westmoreland Drive

0.1 mi · 31 sec · Westmoreland Drive
3

Turn right onto Cherry Valley Road

0.1 mi · 27 sec · Cherry Valley Road
4

Turn right onto Camden Place

0.2 mi · 53 sec · Camden Place
5

Turn left onto Evergreen Drive

0.2 mi · 1 min · Evergreen Drive
6

At end of road, turn right onto US 45

2.4 mi · 3 min · US 45
Use the left lane.
7

Continue on Olde Half Day Road

0.4 mi · 50 sec · Olde Half Day Road
Use the left lane.
8

At end of road, turn left onto IL 22

1.8 mi · 2 min · West Half Day Road
Use the left lane.
9

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 53 sec
Toward I 94 East Toll: Indiana
10

Merge onto I 94

2.9 mi · 3 min · Tri-State Tollway
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

23 mi · 28 min · Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on I 294

0.9 mi · 1 min · Mile-Long Bridge
15

Continue on I 294

14 mi · 17 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Exit 6B-A Toward US 6: 159th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 54 sec
Exit 6B Toward US 6 West: 159th Street
18

Turn straight onto US 6

0.4 mi · 56 sec · West 159th Street
19

Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Kedzie Avenue
20

Turn right onto 163rd Street

64 ft · 2 sec · 163rd Street
21

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 28.1 miles from Vernon Hills, IL, or about 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48 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 56.3 miles or 1h 15m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 28.1 miles or 39m 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 3m

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 Vernon Hills, 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 Vernon Hills, IL

This is one driving day of about 56.3 miles and 1h 15m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Vernon Hills, 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 48 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 28.1 mi from Vernon Hills, IL · 39m into the drive

Downtown Des Plaines, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Des Plaines, IL

28 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.

Popular next leg

Des Plaines, IL to Markham, IL

38.8 mi · 51m

Pacing Suggestions

Orland Park, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 56.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Berwyn, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 28.1 miles from Vernon Hills, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Pullman National Historical Park

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...

7 mi from route ~16 min detour Free near mile 52.4
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$8.55 one way

$17.10 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 20 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $9.43 $18.85
premium $4.80 $10.63 $21.26
diesel $5.64 $12.51 $25.02

Estimated Tolls: $2.89

Tri-state Tollway (48 mi) $2.89

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

$9

Tolls

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$36–$61

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 19.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 16.9 0 $5.91 $2.70
Efficient EV 14.1 0 $4.93 $2.25
EV Truck/SUV 22.5 0 $7.88 $3.60

Gas CO2

20 kg

EV CO2

7 kg (65% 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 5 hours ago

Origin

Vernon Hills, IL

Morning in Vernon Hills on Monday

Local time

9:42 AM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Mostly Cloudy

WSW 15 mph 5% 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

Destination

Markham, IL

Morning in Markham on Monday

Local time

9:42 AM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Mostly Cloudy

SW 15 mph 12% 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

1 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 15m 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 Vernon Hills, IL to Markham, IL covers 56.3 miles and takes about 1h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tri-State Tollway, US 45, West Half Day Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 28.1 miles from Vernon Hills, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.55 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 demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 56.3 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 0.7 miles (US 45): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.1 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Vernon Hills, IL to Markham, IL, road signs begin pointing toward O'hare along the way.

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