If you are planning to travel from Cicero to Markham, expect a straightforward 240.5-mile journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 33 minutes. This route is designed as a single-day trip, making it an efficient option if you prefer to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major corridors like the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I-55, and I-72. Budgeting approximately $37 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. Since both the start and end points are located within the Midwest, the drive stays consistently within the region, offering a familiar landscape throughout the transit. It is a highly practical choice for travelers prioritizing speed and directness over rural detours.
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
120.3 miles from Cicero, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Cicero, IL and Markham, IL.
1
Start on South Laramie Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·South Laramie Avenue
2
Turn right onto West 31st Street
0.5 mi·1 min·West 31st Street
3
Turn left onto South Central Avenue
1.7 mi·3 min·South Central Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 55 South
5
Merge onto I 55
128 mi·2 hr 24 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
65 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, SpringfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36
37 mi·39 min·I 72; US 36
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 72 Business East, US 67 North: Jacksonville
9
Merge onto I 72 Bus; US 67
6.0 mi·6 min·I 72 Bus; US 67
10
Turn left onto Markham Road
1.1 mi·4 min·Markham Road
11
Arrive at destination
Markham Road
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 33-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. While the route is manageable in one go, scheduling at least one stop is recommended to break up the monotony of the 240.5-mile distance. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the long 127.8-mile stretch on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, as you will want to ensure you are fueled up before hitting that extended highway section. Since you are staying exclusively on major interstates, prioritize checking real-time traffic reports for the Adlai Stevenson Expressway before you leave to avoid potential congestion. This streamlined approach keeps your travel time predictable and your transit stress-free.
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 120.3 miles from Cicero, IL, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 127.8 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 53 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.3 miles or 2h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Markham, 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 240.5 miles and 4h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 Adlai Stevenson Expressway for about 127.8 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 232.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|West 31st Street
Turn right onto West 31st Street
Navigation decision point
5
3.4 mi into trip|~6m in|I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge onto I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
131.2 mi into trip|~2h 31m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
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 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
6
196 mi into trip|~3h 41m in|I 72; US 36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36 toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
5
232.8 mi into trip|~4h 20m in
Take the exit toward I 72 Business East, US 67 North: Jacksonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 72 Business East, US 67 North: Jackson...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.60 one way
$75.20 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$41.28
$82.57
premium
$4.89
$46.28
$92.56
diesel
$5.61
$53.10
$106.20
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.1
0
$25.25
$11.54
Efficient EV
60.1
0
$21.04
$9.62
EV Truck/SUV
96.2
1
$33.67
$15.39
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 14, 2026
Origin
Cicero, IL
Morning
in Cicero on Sunday
Local time
6:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 15 mph37% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Markham, IL
Morning
in Markham on Sunday
Local time
6:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Bloomington, IL
120 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
38 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 33m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a quintessential highway-focused drive, with 98% of your time spent on high-speed interstate roads. You should prepare for a consistent, steady pace as you navigate these major thoroughfares. The longest uninterrupted portion of your trip covers 127.8 miles along the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, which will demand your focus for a significant chunk of the drive. Because the route relies so heavily on I-55 and I-72, the experience is largely about maintaining momentum rather than navigating technical local roads. Expect a functional, efficient driving experience that favors highway cruising over scenic, winding backroads.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 127.8 mi on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 55. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near West 31st Street.
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 240.5 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.6 miles (West 31st Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 131.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Cicero, IL to Markham, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 33m. Total distance: 240.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 33m 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 127.8 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. 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 0.6 miles (West 31st Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 131.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Markham, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
