Cicero, IL to Carbondale, IL is 325.9 miles and takes about 6h 9m via I 57, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive keeps you within the Midwest region, staying entirely within Illinois. It's a highway-focused trip, making it a straightforward journey if you're looking for efficiency. With a recommended one-day drive and a relatively short duration, this route is ideal for a quick transition between the northern and southern parts of the state.
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
163 miles from Cicero, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
254.2 mi
4h 34m
Ken Gray Expressway
37.4 mi
40m
IL-13
11 mi
16m
South Cicero Avenue
10.6 mi
17m
Cicero Avenue
6.6 mi
10m
West Deyoung Street
3.4 mi
4m
South Laramie Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
West 31st Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 254.2 mi, about 4h 34m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,006 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,239
Quietest
3 AM
~158 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Cicero, IL and Carbondale, IL.
1
Start on South Laramie Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·South Laramie Avenue
2
Turn left onto West 31st Street
0.5 mi·58 sec·West 31st Street
3
Turn right onto IL 50
11 mi·17 min·South Cicero Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on IL 50
6.6 mi·10 min·Cicero Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Turn left onto 167th Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·167th Street
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 57 South: Kankakee, I-80
7
Merge onto I 57
188 mi·3 hr 23 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 57
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
37 mi·40 min·Ken Gray Expressway
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
13
Merge onto IL 13
3.4 mi·4 min·West Deyoung Street
14
Continue on IL 13
11 mi·16 min·IL-13
15
Arrive at destination
IL 13
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 9m estimated duration, leaving Cicero in the morning allows ample time to reach Carbondale before evening. With only one recommended stop and a highway-focused profile, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 254.2-mile stretch on I 57, as services can be spaced out. The $48 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a buffer for varying prices.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 163 miles from Cicero, IL, or about 3h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 254.2 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 72 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 163 miles or 3h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carbondale, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cicero, 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 Cicero, IL
This is one driving day of about 325.9 miles and 6h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Cicero, 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 254.2 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 1.1 and 311.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.1 mi into trip|~2m in|IL 50 / South Cicero Avenue
Turn right onto IL 50 / South Cicero Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
19 mi into trip|~31m in|I 57
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
207.5 mi into trip|~3h 55m in|I 57
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
6
310.9 mi into trip|~5h 47m in
Keep slight left at fork toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
6
311.4 mi into trip|~5h 48m in
Keep slight right at fork toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.13 one way
$96.26 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$53.13
$106.26
premium
$4.72
$60.51
$121.02
diesel
$4.80
$61.54
$123.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.8
1
$34.22
$15.64
Efficient EV
81.5
0
$28.52
$13.04
EV Truck/SUV
130.4
1
$45.63
$20.86
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Cicero, IL
Late night
in Cicero on Sunday
Local time
4:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Smoke
SW 5 to 10 mph43% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
Carbondale, IL
Late night
in Carbondale on Sunday
Local time
4:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 5 mph35% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
64°F
Charleston, IL
163 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
6h 9m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 11.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 93% of the journey on major roads like I 57. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 254.2 miles on I 57, so expect long periods of consistent driving. The primary roads, including Ken Gray Expressway and IL-13 near the end, ensure a smooth and generally fast pace for most of the 325.9 miles. This means fewer opportunities for spontaneous stops but a predictable and efficient travel experience.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 254.2 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near IL 50 / South Cicero Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 325.9 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 1.1 miles (IL 50 / South Cicero Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 19 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 207.5 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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
Carbondale is a small city of about 25,000 (2020) in Southern (Illinois) about 14 miles (22 km) east of the Mississippi River at roughly the southern edge of the plains, and the northern limit of the Shawnee hills. The surrounding area boasts some pleasant countryside, particularly in the Shawnee National Forest preserve.
The town hosts the main campus of Southern Illinois University.
Top landmarks
•West Walnut Street Historic District — Carbondale, Illinois, listed on the NRHP in Jackson County, Illinois
•Woodlawn Cemetery — cemetery in Carbondale, Illinois
•Illinois Central Railroad Passenger Depot — railway station in Carbondale, the United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 9m. Total distance: 325.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 254.2 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 45 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 Carbondale, 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 45 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (IL 50 / South Cicero Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 19 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 207.5 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Carbondale, IL before the return drive.
