This 272.5-mile drive from Cincinnati, IL to Cicero, IL is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 38 minutes. Primarily a highway-focused journey, you'll spend about 71% of your time on major roads like I-57 and US-45. With an estimated fuel cost of $43, this route offers a straightforward trip through the Midwest. You'll encounter just one recommended stop along the way. Given its manageable duration and distance, it's an ideal day trip for those looking to travel between these two Illinois locations efficiently.
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
136.2 miles from Cincinnati, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
179.3 mi
3h 12m
County Road 925 E
16.2 mi
24m
United States Route 45
14.9 mi
22m
County Road 1400E
14.3 mi
20m
Cicero Avenue
10.8 mi
17m
South Cicero Avenue
10.6 mi
17m
County Road 1600E
8.4 mi
12m
County Road 800 North
7 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 179.3 mi, about 3h 12m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~783 veh/hr typical
Quietest
3 AM
~77 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 5 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 Cincinnati, IL and Cicero, IL.
Toward I 57 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 342Toward Vollmer RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
522 ft·17 sec
Exit 342Toward Vollmer Road WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Turn right onto CH B66
0.4 mi·39 sec·Vollmer Road
22
Turn left onto IL 50
11 mi·17 min·Cicero Avenue
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on IL 50
11 mi·17 min·South Cicero Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn left onto West 31st Street
0.5 mi·58 sec·West 31st Street
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto South Laramie Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·South Laramie Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
South Laramie Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour and 38-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight and avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Cicero. With only one recommended stop, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or before you begin the longest 179.3-mile stretch on I-57. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $43, and fuel availability might be more spread out on the less populated county road sections. This route is well-suited for a single-day adventure, so you can maintain flexibility with your schedule.
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 136.2 miles from Cincinnati, IL, or about 2h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 179.3 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 60 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.2 miles or 2h 59m 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 33m
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 Cincinnati, 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 Cincinnati, IL
This is one driving day of about 272.5 miles and 5h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Cincinnati, 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 179.3 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 69.4 and 271.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
69.4 mi into trip|~1h 47m in
Take the ramp toward I-57 North, I-70 East: Champaign, Terre Haute
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-57 North, I-70 East: Champaign, Terre...
7
70.7 mi into trip|~1h 49m in|I 57
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
7
249.2 mi into trip|~5h in
Take the exit toward Vollmer Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 342
Toward Vollmer Road
9
249.5 mi into trip|~5h 1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Vollmer Road West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 342
Toward Vollmer Road West
6
271.3 mi into trip|~5h 36m in|West 31st Street
Turn left onto West 31st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.24 one way
$80.48 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$44.43
$88.85
premium
$4.72
$50.59
$101.19
diesel
$4.80
$51.45
$102.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.8
1
$28.61
$13.08
Efficient EV
68.1
0
$23.84
$10.90
EV Truck/SUV
109
1
$38.15
$17.44
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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
Cincinnati, IL
Late night
in Cincinnati on Monday
Local time
2:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Clear
SW 3 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
Cicero, IL
Late night
in Cicero on Monday
Local time
2:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 to 10 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
85°F
Shelby, IN
136 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
4 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 38m 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.
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 263.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 272.5-mile journey. You'll be on major arteries like I-57 for the longest stretch, covering an uninterrupted 179.3 miles. While the majority of the route emphasizes speed and efficiency on highways, you'll also navigate some county roads, including County Road 925 E, offering a slight change of pace. The overall feel is one of steady progress, with the bulk of the driving concentrated on well-traveled routes, making for a predictable driving experience.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 179.3 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and County Road 925 E. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 69.4 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
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 272.5 miles you will encounter 14 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 69.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.7 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 249.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
749 ft424 ft
Total Climb
464 ft
Total Descent
284 ft
Highest Point
749 ft
~155.7 mi in
Elevation Range
325 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cincinnati, IL and Cicero, IL, road signs point toward Terre Haute and Vollmer Road West.
Cincinnati is Ohio's third largest city and the largest metro region, and lies on the north bank of the Ohio River in Southwest Ohio in the United States of America.
Cincinnati is distinct amongst Midwestern cities. Its culture is a mixture of the Northeast, Old South, Midwest, and Appalachia blended with a strong German-Catholic heritage. It was one of the United States' early boomtowns, and the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood is the largest National Historic District in the country. Today, it's part of a fast-growing metro area, and home to a remarkable blend of industry and architecture. Downtown Cincinnati is surrounded by picturesque foothills that add a beautiful backdrop to the Queen City and its legendary skyline – celebrated in the opening credits of television show WKRP in Cincinnati.
Top landmarks
•Carew Tower — skyscraper in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
•Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains — cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati in downtown Cincinnati...
•Cincinnati Observatory — other organization in Cincinnati, United States
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 38m. Total distance: 272.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 179.3 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 31 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 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 69.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.7 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 249.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 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.
