How far is Markham, IL from Empire, IL?

The driving distance from Markham, IL to Empire, IL is about 126.5 miles (203.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 31m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 103.5 miles (166.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 02m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
126.49 mi
02h 31m
Flight
103.51 mi
166.58 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Markham.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
103.51 mi
Kilometers
166.58 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
126.49 mi
Kilometers
203.57 km
Drive Time
02h 31m

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 02h 31m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Empire
Wed, Apr 15, 8:54 PM CDT
Return by in Markham
Wed, Apr 15, 11:26 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Markham
2026-04-15T18:23
Arrive Empire
Wed, Apr 15, 8:54 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 31m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:31 AM to 12:31 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:28 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Markham
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Gilman
IL

Human settlement in Iroquois County, Illinois, United States of America

From Markham
63.3 mi
01h 15m
To Empire
63.3 mi
01h 15m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Today

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 7:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SW
Destination
77°F
Today

Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 7:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 17 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    2.3 mi · 3 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight left toward I 57 South: Memphis

    1640 ft · 32 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight right

    94.3 mi · 1 hr 42 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 136: Rantoul, Fisher

    1572 ft · 45 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on US 136: Rantoul, Fisher

    1290 ft · 37 sec

  9. 9

    Turn straight onto Champaign Avenue

    2.4 mi · 4 min · Champaign Avenue

  10. 10

    Continue on County Road 3000 North

    5.5 mi · 8 min · County Road 3000 North

  11. 11

    Continue on East Division Street

    1 mi · 2 min · East Division Street

  12. 12

    Continue on County Road 3000 North

    5.4 mi · 7 min · County Road 3000 North

  13. 13

    Continue on East 200 North Road

    12.7 mi · 17 min · East 200 North Road

  14. 14

    Turn sharp left

    1227 ft · 20 sec

  15. 15

    Turn right onto North 2950 East Road

    1682 ft · 1 min · North 2950 East Road

  16. 16

    Turn right onto East 150 North Road

    2657 ft · 2 min · East 150 North Road

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East 150 North Road

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 57 South
94.6 mi · 75%
East 200 North Road
12.7 mi · 10%
County Road 3000 North
10.9 mi · 9%
I 80 West
2.73 mi · 2%
Champaign Avenue
2.37 mi · 2%
East Division Street
1.02 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 57 South

Merge slight right

94.3 mi · 01h 42m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 31m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23 mi
103.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Gilman
01h 15m from Markham
Leave By
1:28 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Markham and Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Empire.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 126.5 miles (203.6 km) and usually takes 02h 31m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Gilman is a useful midpoint, sitting about 63.3 miles from Markham and 63.3 miles from Empire.

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

The direct path is about 103.5 miles (166.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 23 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:28 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.82 one way or $33.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Markham and Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Empire.

Stop Ideas Near Gilman

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Gilman, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Gilman

1 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.
RAIL

Kankakee

41 mi away
199 South East Ave.
RAIL

Dwight station

51 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Rantoul

53 mi away
West Sangamon and North Kentucky Aves.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Markham and Empire. Straight-line distance: 103.51 mi (166.58 km).

Markham

#1 Markham

A city located in Cook County, Illinois.

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

#2 Empire

Township in McLean County, Illinois

Population4,024
Coordinates40.3055900, -88.7075700
Altitude231
CountryUnited States
Start: Markham (-87.69477, 41.59365)
End: Empire (-88.70757, 40.30559)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 204 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.46 gal
16.9 L · about $16.82
Round trip
$33.64
8.92 gal · 33.8 L
Estimated CO2
39.6 kg one way
Round trip: 79.3 kg / 175 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.82 $33.64
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.97 $37.94
Premium $4.65 $20.76 $41.51
Diesel $5.30 $23.66 $47.31

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 · Apr 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Markham and Empire. The current time is 18:23:27.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

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