How far is Pontiac, IL from Markham, IL?

The driving distance from Pontiac, IL to Markham, IL is about 279.8 miles (450.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 10m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 240.4 miles (386.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 21m 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
279.79 mi
04h 10m
Flight
240.4 mi
386.88 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Pontiac.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
240.4 mi
Kilometers
386.88 km
Flight Time
00h 29m

Driving Distance

Road route
279.79 mi
Kilometers
450.28 km
Drive Time
04h 10m

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 04h 10m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Markham
Thu, Oct 15, 5:37 PM CDT
Return by in Pontiac
Thu, Oct 15, 9:48 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Pontiac
2026-10-15T13:26
Arrive Markham
Thu, Oct 15, 5:37 PM CDT
Route Timing
04h 10m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:11 AM to 12:11 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
8:38 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Pontiac
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
McLean
IL

Village in McLean County, Illinois, United States

From Pontiac
136.7 mi
02h 05m
To Markham
143 mi
02h 05m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Thursday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 10 mph SE
Destination
62°F
Thursday

Rain

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph ESE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    4 m · 3 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Illinois Street

    4.7 mi · 7 min · North Illinois Street

  3. 3

    Continue on South Morrison Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · South Morrison Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on Vandalia Street

    2.8 mi · 5 min · Vandalia Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 North, I 70 East

    2235 ft · 55 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    3.8 mi · 4 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City

    107.9 mi · 1 hr 57 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago

    29.4 mi · 31 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

    93.9 mi · 1 hr 41 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East: Indiana

    1.2 km · 1 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    27.6 mi · 34 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Kedzie Avenue

    1232 ft · 33 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue

    1.3 km · 2 min · Kedzie Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn left onto 163rd Street

    20 m · 3 sec · 163rd Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 163rd Street

Car Route Details

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

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
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 North
235 mi · 84%
I 80 East
28.3 mi · 10%
North Illinois Street
4.69 mi · 2%
Vandalia Street
2.76 mi · 1%
South Morrison Avenue
1.27 mi
Kedzie Avenue
1.02 mi
Longest Stretch

I 55 North

Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City

108 mi · 01h 57m

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
04h 10m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+39.4 mi
240.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
McLean
02h 05m from Pontiac
Leave By
8:38 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Pontiac and Rain near Markham.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 279.8 miles (450.3 km) and usually takes 04h 10m 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?

McLean is a useful midpoint, sitting about 136.7 miles from Pontiac and 143 miles from Markham.

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

The direct path is about 240.4 miles (386.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.4 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 8:38 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $46.04 one way or $92.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Pontiac and Rain near Markham.

Stop Ideas Near McLean

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 McLean and the surrounding midpoint area.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
Scenic stop 2.4 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 13.4 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 McLean.

RAIL

Lincoln

25 mi away
Broadway and North Chicago Sts.
RAIL

Uptown Station

27 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
BUS

Peoria, Illinois

59 mi away
6100 West Everett M. Dirksen Parkway
RAIL

Springfield station

70 mi away
East Washington and North Third Sts.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Pontiac and Markham. Straight-line distance: 240.4 mi (386.88 km).

Pontiac

#1 Pontiac

City in Illinois, USA

Population11,176
Coordinates38.5872700, -89.9848300
Altitude176
CountryUnited States
Markham

#2 Markham

A city located in Cook County, Illinois.

Population13,400
Coordinates41.5936500, -87.6947700
Altitude189
CountryUnited States
Start: North Illinois Street (-89.984873, 38.58727)
End: 163rd Street (-87.694771, 41.593508)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 450 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 59m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 59m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 29m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.87 gal
37.37 L · about $46.04
Round trip
$92.09
19.74 gal · 74.74 L
Estimated CO2
87.7 kg one way
Round trip: 175.4 kg / 387 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.67 $46.04 $92.09
Mid-grade $5.29 $52.23 $104.46
Premium $5.84 $57.61 $115.22
Diesel $6.57 $64.86 $129.71

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 Pontiac and Markham. The current time is 13:26:48.

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.