How far is Markham, IL from Columbia, IL?

The driving distance from Markham, IL to Columbia, IL is about 291.1 miles (468.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 25m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 254.8 miles (410.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
291.04 mi
05h 25m
Flight
254.84 mi
410.13 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Markham.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
254.84 mi
Kilometers
410.13 km
Flight Time
00h 30m

Driving Distance

Road route
291.04 mi
Kilometers
468.39 km
Drive Time
05h 25m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 05h 25m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbia
Thu, Oct 15, 11:55 PM CDT
Return by in Markham
Fri, Oct 16, 5:20 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Markham
2026-10-15T18:29
Arrive Columbia
Thu, Oct 15, 11:55 PM CDT
Route Timing
05h 25m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:25 AM to 1:25 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:10 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Markham
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Lawndale
IL

Unincorporated community in Illinois, United States

From Markham
145.5 mi
02h 42m
To Columbia
145.5 mi
02h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
65°F
This Afternoon

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 2:00 PM CDT
Wind
10 mph SSE
Destination
81°F
This Afternoon

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 12:00 PM CDT
Wind
10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Markham and Columbia.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Markham and Columbia.

  1. 1

    Start on 163rd Street

    20 m · 7 sec · 163rd Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Kedzie Avenue

    2913 ft · 1 min · Kedzie Avenue

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 West

    2482 ft · 1 min

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    28 mi · 35 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

    1900 ft · 54 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    93 mi · 1 hr 40 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

    64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis

    82 mi · 1 hr 29 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 255: Memphis, Interstate 270

    1386 ft · 34 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 255 South: Memphis

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    17.2 mi · 20 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight left toward IL 3 South: Columbia

    1.8 mi · 3 min

  13. 13

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · North Main Street

  14. 14

    Turn right

    24 m · 6 sec

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Markham and Columbia.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 South
240 mi · 83%
I 80 West
28.4 mi · 10%
I 255 South
18.3 mi · 6%
IL 3 South
1.84 mi · 1%
North Main Street
1.43 mi
Kedzie Avenue
0.55 mi
Longest Stretch

I 55 South

Merge slight left

93 mi · 01h 40m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
05h 25m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+36.3 mi
254.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lawndale
02h 42m from Markham
Leave By
6:10 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Markham and Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbia.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Markham to Columbia?

The road trip is about 291.1 miles (468.4 km) and usually takes 05h 25m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Lawndale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 145.5 miles from Markham and 145.5 miles from Columbia.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 254.8 miles (410.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:10 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $47.91 one way or $95.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 91.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Markham and Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbia.

Stop Ideas Near Lawndale

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Lawndale and the surrounding midpoint area.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
Scenic stop 5.9 mi away

Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!

Atlanta , IL
865 SW Arch St, Atlanta, IL 61723, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Tourist attraction
City of Lincoln
Meeting point 5.1 mi away

City of Lincoln

Lincoln , IL
700 Broadway St, Lincoln, IL 62656
Rating 3.8/5 4 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lawndale.

RAIL

Lincoln

10 mi away
Broadway and North Chicago Sts.
RAIL

Uptown Station

41 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
RAIL

Springfield station

56 mi away
East Washington and North Third Sts.
BUS

Peoria, Illinois

61 mi away
6100 West Everett M. Dirksen Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Markham and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 254.84 mi (410.13 km).

Markham

#1 Markham

A city located in Cook County, Illinois.

Population13,400
Coordinates41.5936500, -87.6947700
Altitude189
CountryUnited States
Columbia

#2 Columbia

City in Illinois, United States

Population10,627
Coordinates38.4436600, -90.2012200
Altitude153
CountryUnited States
Start: Markham (-87.69477, 41.59365)
End: Columbia (-90.20122, 38.44366)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 468 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 41m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 16m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 49m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 09m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.27 gal
38.88 L · about $47.91
Round trip
$95.82
20.54 gal · 77.76 L
Estimated CO2
91.3 kg one way
Round trip: 182.5 kg / 402 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.67 $47.91 $95.82
Mid-grade $5.29 $54.35 $108.70
Premium $5.84 $59.95 $119.89
Diesel $6.57 $67.48 $134.97

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Illinois · Oct 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Markham and Columbia. The current time is 18:29:59.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.