Origin
East Saint Louis, IL
Morning in East Saint Louis on Sunday
Local time
7:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from East Saint Louis, IL to Cicero, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 21m
Distance
287.2 mi
462 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 8m
★
6 AM
5h 21m
8 AM
5h 48m
10 AM
5h 31m
12 PM
5h 28m
3 PM
5h 32m
5 PM
5h 47m
8 PM
5h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
East Saint Louis, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
East Saint Louis, IL to Cicero, IL is 287.2 miles and takes about 5h 21m via I 55 and I 70, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused journey entirely within Illinois, connecting two points in the Midwest. It's designed for efficiency, making it a good option if you need to get from point A to point B without much fuss. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, so expect typical highway travel conditions. Consider this trip if your priority is a direct and relatively quick transit.
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
143.6 miles from East Saint Louis, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 37m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 267.6 mi | 4h 55m |
| I 70 | 15.6 mi | 18m |
| South Cicero Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| South Laramie Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West 31st Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| North 10th Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North 9th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Pennsylvania Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 267.6 mi, about 4h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Saint Louis, IL and Cicero, IL.
1
Start on North 10th Street
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
North 10th Street
2
Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue
362 ft
·
10 sec
·
Pennsylvania Avenue
3
Turn right onto North 9th Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
North 9th Street
4
Enter roundabout onto North 9th Street
106 ft
·
2 sec
·
North 9th Street
5
Continue on North 9th Street
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
North 9th Street
6
Enter roundabout
224 ft
·
3 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East
7
Continue
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East
8
Merge onto I 70
16 mi
·
18 min
·
I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
108 mi
·
1 hr 56 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
130 mi
·
2 hr 27 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 286
Toward IL 50: Cicero Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn left onto IL 50
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Cicero Avenue
14
Turn left onto West 31st Street
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
West 31st Street
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto South Laramie Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Laramie Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
South Laramie Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 21m duration, this drive is easily manageable in a single day, making it a recommended one-day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample daylight for the drive and any unforeseen delays. With a longest stretch of 267.6 miles on I 55, plan for at least one significant fuel and rest stop around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially on I 55, as services can be spread out during those longer segments. Your estimated fuel cost is around $45.
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 143.6 miles from East Saint Louis, IL, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 267.6 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 63 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.6 miles or 2h 37m 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 20m
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 East Saint Louis, 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 East Saint Louis, IL
This is one driving day of about 287.2 miles and 5h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from East Saint Louis, 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 55 for about 267.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
144 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 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 143.6 miles from East Saint Louis, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 267.6 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 284.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Enter roundabout toward I 55 North, I 70 East
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East
6
16.7 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springf...
7
124.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m in
|
I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
154 mi into trip
|
~2h 48m in
|
I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
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 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7
284.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 15m in
Take the exit toward IL 50: Cicero Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 286
Toward IL 50: Cicero Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.90 one way
$89.80 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
101 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $49.30 | $98.60 |
| premium | $4.89 | $55.27 | $110.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $63.41 | $126.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 86.2 | 1 | $30.16 | $13.79 |
| Efficient EV | 71.8 | 0 | $25.13 | $11.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 114.9 | 1 | $40.21 | $18.38 |
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Destination
Cicero, IL
Morning in Cicero on Sunday
Local time
7:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Bloomington, IL
144 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
22 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
5h 21m 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.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 99
View on nps.gov
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 287.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 99% of the journey on major interstates. You'll be on I 55 for a significant portion, including a stretch of 267.6 miles without needing to exit the highway. This means you can expect consistent speeds and a predictable driving experience for the majority of the trip. While there are brief transitions onto other roads like I 70 and South Cicero Avenue, the character remains that of a high-speed, long-distance transit.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 267.6 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 70. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 287.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.8 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 124.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between East Saint Louis, IL and Cicero, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.
Springfield
16.7 mi in
|
~20m
|
via I 55
Kansas City
16.7 mi in
|
~20m
|
via I 55
Peoria
154 mi in
|
~2h 48m
|
via I 55
About the Cities
Starting in East Saint Louis, IL
Full guide →Founded 1820
East St. Louis, commonly abbreviated as "ESL", is a city in Southern Illinois directly across the Mississippi River from St. Louis. It is a sprawling city with about 18,000 people, down from about 82,000 in the 1950s. While it attracts a few visitors who come mainly for gambling, East St. Louis is definitely not your typical travel destination. In 2013, it was considered to be the most dangerous city in the contiguous United States, based on violent crime statistics. A visit to ESL could be considered a way of getting a first-hand glimpse of the challenges that poverty-stricken U.S. urban areas face today.
Top landmarks
- • Eads Bridge — bridge spanning the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri
- • Spivey Building
- • Majestic Theatre — former movie theater in East St. Louis, Illinois, United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 21m. Total distance: 287.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 21m 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 267.6 miles on I 55. 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 124.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 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.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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