How far is Markham, IL from Lake Forest, IL?
The driving distance from Markham, IL to Lake Forest, IL is about 54.8 miles (88.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 46.5 miles (74.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 01h 16m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Township in Macon County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Markham and Lake Forest.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Markham and Lake Forest.
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1
Start on 163rd Street
20 m · 10 sec · 163rd Street
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2
Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue
2627 ft · 52 sec · Kedzie Avenue
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3
Turn left onto West 159th Street
2883 ft · 1 min · West 159th Street
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 57 North: Chicago, I-294 North
2747 ft · 1 min
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5
Merge slight left
10.1 mi · 14 min
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6
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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8
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
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9
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.5 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
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11
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road
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12
Turn right onto West Westleigh Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Westleigh Road
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13
Turn left onto South Western Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · South Western Avenue
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14
Turn right onto Illinois Road
73 m · 10 sec · Illinois Road
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15
Turn left onto North McKinley Road
2911 ft · 1 min · North McKinley Road
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16
Turn slight right onto East Woodland Road
62 m · 7 sec · East Woodland Road
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17
Turn slight left onto Griffith Road
22 m · 3 sec · Griffith Road
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Griffith Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Markham and Lake Forest.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Edens Expressway
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.5 mi · 00h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Rain leaving Markham and Rain Showers near Lake Forest.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Markham to Lake Forest?
The road trip is about 54.8 miles (88.2 km) and usually takes 01h 16m 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?
Austin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.4 miles from Markham and 27.4 miles from Lake Forest.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 46.5 miles (74.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:58 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.00 one way or $18.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain around Markham and Rain Showers near Lake Forest.
Stop Ideas Near Austin
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Austin.
Chicago Union Station
Summit
La Grange Road
Glenview station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Markham and Lake Forest. Straight-line distance: 46.55 mi (74.92 km).
#1 Markham
A city located in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 13,400 |
| Coordinates | 41.5936500, -87.6947700 |
| Altitude | 189 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lake Forest
City in Lake County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 19,379 |
| Coordinates | 42.2586300, -87.8406300 |
| Altitude | 210 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Forest (-87.84063, 42.25863)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 88 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $9.00 | $18.01 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $10.21 | $20.43 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $11.27 | $22.53 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $12.68 | $25.36 |
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