Traveling from Bourbon to Cicero covers 162.4 miles, a journey that typically takes 3 hours and 21 minutes. Since this route remains entirely within Illinois, you will stay within the Midwest region for the duration of the trip. Given the manageable timeframe, it serves perfectly as a straightforward one-day excursion. You should budget approximately $24 for fuel to complete the transit. While you will only need to plan for one formal stop, the drive is efficient enough that you can easily reach your destination without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
81.2 miles from Bourbon, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
129.9 mi
2h 19m
Cicero Avenue
10.8 mi
17m
South Cicero Avenue
10.6 mi
17m
County Road 950 N
3.9 mi
5m
North County Road 590 East
1.6 mi
6m
County Highway 16
1.1 mi
4m
County Road 950 North
0.8 mi
1m
South Laramie Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 129.9 mi, about 2h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bourbon, IL and Cicero, IL.
1
Start on County Road 490E
139 ft·10 sec·County Road 490E
2
Turn left onto North County Road 490 East
449 ft·19 sec·North County Road 490 East
3
Continue on North County Road 475 East
0.2 mi·56 sec·North County Road 475 East
4
Continue on County Highway 16
1.1 mi·4 min·County Highway 16
5
Turn left onto North County Road 540 East
0.5 mi·1 min·North County Road 540 East
6
Continue on North County Road 560 East
382 ft·16 sec·North County Road 560 East
7
Continue on North County Road 590 East
1.6 mi·6 min·North County Road 590 East
8
At end of road, turn right onto US 36
3.9 mi·5 min·County Road 950 N
9
Continue on US 36
0.5 mi·1 min·East Southline Road
10
Continue on US 36
0.8 mi·1 min·County Road 950 North
11
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
12
Merge onto I 57
130 mi·2 hr 19 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 342Toward Vollmer RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
522 ft·17 sec
Exit 342Toward Vollmer Road WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Turn right onto CH B66
0.4 mi·39 sec·Vollmer Road
16
Turn left onto IL 50
11 mi·17 min·Cicero Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on IL 50
11 mi·17 min·South Cicero Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto West 31st Street
0.5 mi·58 sec·West 31st Street
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto South Laramie Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·South Laramie Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
South Laramie Avenue
Trip Plan
Because this is a highway-heavy route, try to time your departure to avoid peak congestion periods on the interstate. With a 3 hour and 21 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your single required stop whenever you need a quick stretch or a snack. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the longer stretches of I-57 to ensure you don't run low during that 129.9-mile segment. If you prefer a relaxed pace, consider mapping out your break near the transition point where you exit the interstate onto South Cicero Avenue. This approach helps you maintain momentum while ensuring you remain comfortable behind the wheel.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 81.2 miles from Bourbon, IL, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.9 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 36 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.2 miles or 1h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cicero, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bourbon, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bourbon, IL
This is one driving day of about 162.4 miles and 3h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Bourbon, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 129.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.6 and 161.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.6 mi into trip|~14m in|US 36 / County Road 950 N
At end of road, turn right onto US 36 / County Road 950 N
Navigation decision point
5
9.3 mi into trip|~23m in|I 57
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
139.1 mi into trip|~2h 43m in
Take the exit toward Vollmer Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 342
Toward Vollmer Road
9
139.4 mi into trip|~2h 43m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Vollmer Road West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 342
Toward Vollmer Road West
6
161.2 mi into trip|~3h 19m in|West 31st Street
Turn left onto West 31st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.39 one way
$50.78 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$27.88
$55.75
premium
$4.89
$31.25
$62.50
diesel
$5.61
$35.86
$71.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.7
0
$17.05
$7.80
Efficient EV
40.6
0
$14.21
$6.50
EV Truck/SUV
65
0
$22.74
$10.39
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Bourbon, IL
Late night
in Bourbon on Tuesday
Local time
5:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cicero, IL
Late night
in Cicero on Tuesday
Local time
5:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
12 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 21m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 151.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 81% of your travel time spent on major routes. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-57, which accounts for a substantial 129.9-mile stretch of the journey. Expect a steady, consistent pace as you transition from this primary interstate onto Cicero Avenue and South Cicero Avenue for the final leg. The character of the road shifts from open interstate cruising to the more localized, urban environment of Cicero, requiring a shift in driving focus as you approach the city.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.9 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Cicero Avenue. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.6 miles in near US 36 / County Road 950 N.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 162.4 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.6 miles (US 36 / County Road 950 N): Navigation decision point; at 9.3 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Bourbon, IL to Cicero, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Vollmer Road West along the way.
Cicero is a town of 81,000 people (2019) in the Chicagoland area, just west of the Chicago city limits. It became famous when gangster Al Capone moved here to escape from the Chicago Police in the early 1920s.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 21m. Total distance: 162.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 129.9 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.6 miles (US 36 / County Road 950 N): Navigation decision point; at 9.3 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Cicero, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
