Traveling from Centreville to Cicero covers a distance of 289.1 miles and takes approximately 5 hours and 25 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is entirely within Illinois, you will remain in the Midwest throughout the duration of your trip. Plan for a fuel budget of about $43 to reach your destination. While the route is manageable as a single-day commitment, be prepared for a drive that requires your full attention due to its local road focus. It is a straightforward trip that works best for travelers who prefer navigating surface streets over highway cruising.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
144.6 miles from Centreville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
275.9 mi
5h 4m
I 255
7.7 mi
8m
South Cicero Avenue
1.4 mi
2m
New Missouri Avenue
0.9 mi
1m
South Laramie Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
South 42nd Street
0.6 mi
1m
West 31st Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Trendley Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 275.9 mi, about 5h 4m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,733 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,150
Quietest
2 AM
~161 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Centreville, IL and Cicero, IL.
1
Start on Trendley Avenue
0.1 mi·27 sec·Trendley Avenue
2
Turn right onto South 42nd Street
0.3 mi·53 sec·South 42nd Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto Converse Avenue
184 ft·9 sec·Converse Avenue
4
Turn right onto South 42nd Street
0.3 mi·49 sec·South 42nd Street
5
Turn left onto IL 163
291 ft·11 sec·Old Missouri Avenue
6
Turn right onto IL 15
0.9 mi·1 min·New Missouri Avenue
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 255 North: Chicago
8
Merge onto I 255; US 50
7.7 mi·8 min·I 255; US 50
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East: Indianapolis, Chicago
10
Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40
8.3 mi·9 min·I 55; I 70; US 40
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
108 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
130 mi·2 hr 27 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·51 sec
Exit 286Toward IL 50: Cicero AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn left onto IL 50
1.4 mi·2 min·South Cicero Avenue
16
Turn left onto West 31st Street
0.5 mi·58 sec·West 31st Street
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto South Laramie Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·South Laramie Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
South Laramie Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 25-minute duration, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid mid-day congestion on local roads. You are limited to one recommended stop, so plan your break strategically to maximize your efficiency during the 289.1-mile trek. Keep your navigation system updated, as the reliance on local streets like Converse Avenue and Old Missouri Avenue means you will be making frequent turns. Since fuel costs are estimated at $43, consider topping off your tank before leaving Centreville to avoid hunting for stations while navigating local traffic. Maintaining a consistent pace is difficult on this route, so build in a little extra time for the unexpected.
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 144.6 miles from Centreville, IL, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 275.9 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 64 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.6 miles or 2h 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 4h 24m
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 Centreville, 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 Centreville, IL
This is one driving day of about 289.1 miles and 5h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Centreville, 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 55 for about 275.9 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 286.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|Converse Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto Converse Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
18.7 mi into trip|~24m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springf...
7
126.6 mi into trip|~2h 21m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
155.9 mi into trip|~2h 52m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7
286.3 mi into trip|~5h 19m in
Take the exit toward IL 50: Cicero Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 286
Toward IL 50: Cicero Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.69 one way
$85.39 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$47.13
$94.26
premium
$4.72
$53.68
$107.35
diesel
$4.80
$54.59
$109.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.7
1
$30.36
$13.88
Efficient EV
72.3
0
$25.30
$11.56
EV Truck/SUV
115.6
1
$40.47
$18.50
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Centreville, IL
Late night
in Centreville on Sunday
Local time
4:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
SW 2 to 7 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Cicero, IL
Late night
in Cicero on Sunday
Local time
4:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SW 5 to 10 mph22% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
85°F
Bloomington, IL
145 mi in
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
1 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
5h 25m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 289.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy experience on this route, as it relies on local roads rather than major interstates. You will navigate stretches including South 42nd Street, Converse Avenue, and Old Missouri Avenue to complete your journey. With a 0% highway share, you should anticipate frequent stops and intersections rather than the steady pace of an open highway. Because the longest stretch on any single road—South 42nd Street—is 0 miles, the drive feels constant and requires active steering. This is a technical, local-focused trip that demands patience behind the wheel.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 275.9 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 255. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near Converse Avenue.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 289.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (Converse Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 18.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
891 ft412 ft
Total Climb
760 ft
Total Descent
568 ft
Highest Point
891 ft
~165.2 mi in
Elevation Range
478 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Centreville, IL and Cicero, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.
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.
Top landmarks
•Hawthorne Works — Factory complex in Cicero, Illinois
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 25m. Total distance: 289.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 275.9 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 35 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Cicero, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 35 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (Converse Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 18.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cicero, IL before the return drive.
