Connecting Dixon to Cicero, this 98.2-mile trek through the Illinois Midwest is a straightforward journey typically lasting about 1 hour and 56 minutes. Since the entire trip can be completed in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Expect to spend approximately $15 on fuel to complete the transit between these two points. By utilizing the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway and the Eisenhower Expressway, you’ll spend the bulk of your time on efficient transit corridors before transitioning to local roads like South Laramie Avenue. Whether you are heading toward the suburbs of Chicago or returning to the heart of the state, this route serves as a practical, no-nonsense connection.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.1 miles from Dixon, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
86.5 mi
1h 37m
Eisenhower Expressway
7 mi
9m
South Laramie Avenue
1.4 mi
2m
South Galena Avenue
1.3 mi
2m
West Roosevelt Road
0.5 mi
<1m
South Central Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
East 6th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
— 86.5 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dixon, IL and Cicero, IL.
1
Start on East 6th Street
282 ft·17 sec·East 6th Street
2
Turn left onto US 52; IL 26
1.3 mi·2 min·South Galena Avenue
3
Turn left
0.2 mi·26 sec
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
5
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
80 mi·1 hr 29 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110
6.0 mi·7 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 290; IL 110
7.0 mi·9 min·Eisenhower Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 23BToward Central AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn right onto South Central Avenue
0.3 mi·44 sec·South Central Avenue
10
Turn left onto West Roosevelt Road
0.5 mi·57 sec·West Roosevelt Road
11
Turn right onto South Laramie Avenue
1.4 mi·2 min·South Laramie Avenue
12
Arrive at destination
South Laramie Avenue
Trip Plan
Because this is a sub-two-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though it is wise to monitor traffic levels on the Eisenhower Expressway before heading out. Since the trip is short and requires no mandatory stops, you can easily complete it in one go without needing a formal itinerary. Keep a close eye on your GPS as you transition off the main tollway, as the final leg involves more frequent turns compared to the long, steady interstate portion. Budget your $15 for fuel before leaving Dixon to avoid needing to refuel in busier, higher-traffic areas closer to the destination. Embracing the short duration allows you to focus on a direct, efficient arrival rather than planning for extensive mid-trip breaks.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 49.1 miles from Dixon, IL, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.5 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 22 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.1 miles or 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 32m
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 Dixon, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Dixon, IL
This is one driving day of about 98.2 miles and 1h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Dixon, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for about 86.5 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 95.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 52; IL 26 / South Galena Avenue
Turn left onto US 52; IL 26 / South Galena Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
2.2 mi into trip|~4m in|I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Merge onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
82.7 mi into trip|~1h 34m in|I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
88.7 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|I 290; IL 110 / Eisenhower Expressway
Merge onto I 290; IL 110 / Eisenhower Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
95.7 mi into trip|~1h 51m in
Take the exit toward Central Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 23B
Toward Central Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.35 one way
$30.70 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$16.86
$33.71
premium
$4.89
$18.90
$37.80
diesel
$5.61
$21.68
$43.36
Estimated Tolls: $5.19
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(86.5 mi)$5.19
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.5
0
$10.31
$4.71
Efficient EV
24.6
0
$8.59
$3.93
EV Truck/SUV
39.3
0
$13.75
$6.28
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 13, 2026
Origin
Dixon, IL
Morning
in Dixon on Sunday
Local time
10:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cicero, IL
Morning
in Cicero on Sunday
Local time
10:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 15 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
51°F
Aurora, IL
49 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
12 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
1h 56m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 98.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive defined by a transition from open transit to more technical local navigation. You will spend roughly 7% of your time on highways, with the vast majority of the distance covered by an 86.5-mile stretch along the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. Once you exit the high-speed tollway and navigate the Eisenhower Expressway, the trip evolves into a turn-heavy local drive as you approach your destination. The rhythm of the road shifts significantly during the final miles, requiring more attention to local traffic patterns and turns. It is a functional route that balances long-distance cruising with the precise maneuvering needed to reach your final destination in Cicero.
Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.5 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 52; IL 26 / South Galena Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 98.2 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.1 miles (US 52; IL 26 / South Galena Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 82.7 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
894 ft604 ft
Total Climb
287 ft
Total Descent
360 ft
Highest Point
894 ft
~42.1 mi in
Elevation Range
289 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 56m. Total distance: 98.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 86.5 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.19 in tolls one way, starting with Reagan Memorial Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 52; IL 26 / South Galena Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 82.7 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cicero, IL before heading back.
