This 81.1-mile drive from Flagg, IL to Cicero, IL is a straightforward, one-day trip that will take about 1 hour and 43 minutes to complete. The route primarily utilizes the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway and the Eisenhower Expressway, with a portion on Lincoln Avenue. You can expect a fuel cost of around $13 for this journey. Given the relatively short distance and duration, it's perfectly suited for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. This drive stays within the Midwest region, connecting two points within Illinois.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.5 miles from Flagg, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
64.3 mi
1h 13m
Eisenhower Expressway
7 mi
9m
Lincoln Avenue
4 mi
7m
IL 251
1.7 mi
2m
South Laramie Avenue
1.4 mi
2m
South Grange Road
1.1 mi
4m
West Roosevelt Road
0.5 mi
<1m
South Central Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
— 64.3 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Flagg, IL and Cicero, IL.
1
Start on East Titus Road
62 ft·4 sec·East Titus Road
2
Turn right onto South Grange Road
1.1 mi·4 min·South Grange Road
3
Turn right onto IL 38
4.0 mi·7 min·Lincoln Avenue
4
Turn left onto IL 38
399 ft·10 sec·8th Street
5
Turn right onto IL 38
265 ft·4 sec·4th Avenue
6
Turn right onto IL 251
1.7 mi·2 min·IL 251
Use the right lane.
7
Turn left
0.4 mi·53 sec
8
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
58 mi·1 hr 5 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
Merge onto I 290; IL 110
7.0 mi·9 min·Eisenhower Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 23BToward Central AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto South Central Avenue
0.3 mi·44 sec·South Central Avenue
13
Turn left onto West Roosevelt Road
0.5 mi·57 sec·West Roosevelt Road
14
Turn right onto South Laramie Avenue
1.4 mi·2 min·South Laramie Avenue
15
Arrive at destination
South Laramie Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 43-minute drive, consider departing early to avoid peak traffic, especially as you approach Cicero. While the total distance is only 81.1 miles, the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests being prepared for frequent stops and slower speeds on city roads. The estimated fuel cost is $13, so ensure your tank is adequately full before you begin, as fuel stops might be less frequent on the highway segments. Since this is a short, manageable drive, you have flexibility; however, pay close attention to signage as you transition between the major expressways and Lincoln Avenue to stay on course.
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 40.5 miles from Flagg, IL, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.3 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 18 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.5 miles or 52m 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 25m
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 Flagg, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Flagg, IL
This is one driving day of about 81.1 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Flagg, 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 64.3 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.1 and 78.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
5.1 mi into trip|~11m in|IL 38 / 4th Avenue
Turn right onto IL 38 / 4th Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
7.3 mi into trip|~15m 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
65.6 mi into trip|~1h 21m 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
71.6 mi into trip|~1h 28m 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
78.6 mi into trip|~1h 38m 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
$12.68 one way
$25.36 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$13.92
$27.84
premium
$4.89
$15.61
$31.21
diesel
$5.61
$17.91
$35.81
Estimated Tolls: $3.86
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(64.3 mi)$3.86
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
$13
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.3
0
$8.52
$3.89
Efficient EV
20.3
0
$7.10
$3.24
EV Truck/SUV
32.4
0
$11.35
$5.19
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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 19, 2026
Origin
Flagg, IL
Late night
in Flagg on Tuesday
Local time
5:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cicero, IL
Late night
in Cicero on Tuesday
Local time
5:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
21 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 43m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 81.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly urbanized, turn-heavy local drive for much of this route, though it does incorporate significant highway stretches. With only 11% of the drive on highways, you'll experience more varied road conditions and traffic patterns typical of commutes. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 64.3 miles, primarily on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, offering a period of consistent speed before transitioning to more local roads. This mix means you'll be navigating city streets and expressways, requiring attentive driving.
Only 11% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.3 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.1 miles in near IL 38 / 4th Avenue.
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 81.1 miles you will encounter 13 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 5.1 miles (IL 38 / 4th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 7.3 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.6 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 1h 43m. Total distance: 81.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.3 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.86 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 5.1 miles (IL 38 / 4th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 7.3 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.6 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.
