Origin
Cicero, IL
Night in Cicero on Saturday
Local time
11:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cicero, IL to Carbondale, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 9m
Distance
325.9 mi
525 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 57m
★
6 AM
6h 10m
8 AM
6h 35m
10 AM
6h 19m
12 PM
6h 16m
3 PM
6h 20m
5 PM
6h 34m
8 PM
6h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carbondale, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
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
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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
163 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 72 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 163 miles from Cicero, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 254.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 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
$50.95 one way
$101.90 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
114 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $55.94 | $111.88 |
| premium | $4.89 | $62.72 | $125.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $71.95 | $143.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
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, 2026-04-13.
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.
Destination
Carbondale, IL
Night in Carbondale on Saturday
Local time
11:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
5 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
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.
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 Effort
7/10
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.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
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.
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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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.
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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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