How far is Markham, IL from Prairie, IL?
The driving distance from Markham, IL to Prairie, IL is about 305.2 miles (491.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 264.6 miles (425.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 05h 57m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Markham and Prairie.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Markham and Prairie.
-
1
Start on 163rd Street
20 m · 7 sec · 163rd Street
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2
Turn right onto Kedzie Avenue
2913 ft · 1 min · Kedzie Avenue
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3
Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 West
2482 ft · 1 min
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4
Merge slight left
28 mi · 35 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
1900 ft · 54 sec
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6
Merge slight left
93 mi · 1 hr 40 min
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
77.9 mi · 1 hr 24 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward IL 159 South: Collinsville
1434 ft · 48 sec
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10
Continue on Vandalia Street
3 mi · 5 min · Vandalia Street
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11
Continue on South Morrison Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · South Morrison Avenue
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12
Continue on North Illinois Street
9.8 mi · 15 min · North Illinois Street
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Illinois Street
55 m · 5 sec · South Illinois Street
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14
Exit the rotary onto South Illinois Street
8.3 mi · 13 min · South Illinois Street
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15
Continue on State Route 159
6.1 mi · 9 min · State Route 159
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16
Continue on North Main Street
1163 ft · 20 sec · North Main Street
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17
Continue on N Main St
810 ft · 14 sec · N Main St
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18
Continue on Main Street
6.4 mi · 10 min · Main Street
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19
Turn left onto East Market Street
3 mi · 4 min · East Market Street
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20
Turn right onto South Prairie Road
1.7 mi · 6 min · South Prairie Road
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Prairie Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Markham and Prairie.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Markham and Mostly Sunny near Prairie.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Markham to Prairie?
The road trip is about 305.2 miles (491.2 km) and usually takes 05h 57m 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?
Lincoln is a useful midpoint, sitting about 152.7 miles from Markham and 152.6 miles from Prairie.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 264.6 miles (425.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.6 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 5:04 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.61 one way or $81.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 95.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Markham and Mostly Sunny near Prairie.
Stop Ideas Near Lincoln
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
City of Lincoln
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lincoln.
Lincoln
Springfield station
Uptown Station
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Markham and Prairie. Straight-line distance: 264.67 mi (425.95 km).
#1 Markham
A city located in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 13,400 |
| Coordinates | 41.5936500, -87.6947700 |
| Altitude | 189 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Prairie
Unincorporated community in Illinois
| Population | 244 |
| Coordinates | 38.1731100, -89.9431600 |
| Altitude | 125 |
| Country | United States |
End: Prairie (-89.94316, 38.17311)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 491 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $40.61 | $81.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $45.80 | $91.61 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $50.12 | $100.25 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $57.12 | $114.25 |
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 · May 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.