Spanning 264.1 miles across the Illinois landscape, this trip from Cicero to Pittsfield typically requires about 4 hours and 57 minutes of driving time. Because this route is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight highway shot, you should plan on dedicating a full day to complete the journey comfortably. Budgeting approximately $40 for fuel is a smart move before you head out. While it is certainly possible to tackle this in one go, the winding nature of the roads means you will want to stay alert. Both your starting point in Cicero and your destination in Pittsfield are firmly rooted in the Midwest, offering a consistent regional feel as you traverse 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
132 miles from Cicero, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Cicero, IL and Pittsfield, 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
62 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 72; US 36
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 35Toward US 54, IL 107: Griggsville, Pittsfield
9
Turn slight left onto US 54
5.2 mi·8 min·US 54
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn right onto East Adams Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·East Adams Street
11
Arrive at destination
East Adams Street
Trip Plan
To keep your day manageable, aim to depart Cicero early in the morning to account for the slower pace of local roads. Since the trip takes nearly five hours, identifying one solid stop along the way will help break up the drive and keep you refreshed. Keep in mind that with no significant highway-only stretches, your travel time can be sensitive to local traffic patterns or construction. Ensure your fuel tank is ready for the $40 cost, and consider filling up before you leave the more dense areas near Cicero. Being flexible with your pace is the biggest advantage here, so don't feel pressured to rush through the turns.
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 132 miles from Cicero, IL, or about 2h 32m 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 58 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132 miles or 2h 32m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pittsfield, 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 264.1 miles and 4h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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 258.5 — 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
6
258.5 mi into trip|~4h 48m in
Take the exit toward US 54, IL 107: Griggsville, Pittsfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 35
Toward US 54, IL 107: Griggsville, Pittsfield
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.29 one way
$82.58 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$45.33
$90.67
premium
$4.89
$50.82
$101.65
diesel
$5.61
$58.31
$116.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.2
0
$27.73
$12.68
Efficient EV
66
0
$23.11
$10.56
EV Truck/SUV
105.6
1
$36.97
$16.90
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Cicero, IL
Late night
in Cicero on Tuesday
Local time
5:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pittsfield, IL
Late night
in Pittsfield on Tuesday
Local time
5:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Bloomington, IL
132 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
3 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
4h 57m 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?
Expect a departure from the typical interstate grind, as this route relies on local navigation rather than high-speed highway travel. You will navigate through West 31st Street and South Central Avenue before transitioning to segments involving I-55 South. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, you will find yourself navigating frequent changes in direction rather than settling into long, monotonous stretches of asphalt. This lack of highway-heavy miles keeps the experience engaging, though it does demand more focus behind the wheel than a standard expressway cruise. Prepare for a more hands-on driving experience that prioritizes local navigation over sheer speed.
99% 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 264.1 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 Pittsfield, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield 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 4h 57m. Total distance: 264.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). 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 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Pittsfield, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
