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Trip from Gilberts, 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

1h

Distance

45.4 mi

73 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$7

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 14 min
4 AM
0h 56m ★
6 AM
1h 0m
8 AM
1h 10m
10 AM
1h 4m
12 PM
1h 3m
3 PM
1h 4m
5 PM
1h 10m
8 PM
0h 57m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Gilberts, IL, IL

Gilberts, IL

Mike Tyurin

Trip Overview

This straightforward 45.4-mile drive from Gilberts, IL, to Cicero, IL, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour to complete. The journey primarily utilizes I-290 and the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, with a portion on East Higgins Road, making it a convenient option for a quick excursion within the Midwest region. Expect a fuel cost of around $7 for this route. Given its short duration and mixed driving profile, it's ideal for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 290 23.2 mi 30m
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway 14.7 mi 15m
East Higgins Road 1.9 mi 3m
Randall Road 1.7 mi 2m
South Laramie Avenue 1.4 mi 2m
West Roosevelt Road 0.5 mi <1m
South Central Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 290 — 23.2 mi, about 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gilberts, IL and Cicero, IL.

1

Start on IL 72

1.9 mi · 3 min · East Higgins Road
2

Turn right onto CR 34

1.7 mi · 2 min · Randall Road
Use the straight lane.
3

Turn left

0.3 mi · 47 sec
Toward I 90 East Toll: Chicago Use the left lane.
4

Merge onto I 90

15 mi · 15 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 68A-B Toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs Use the slight right lane.
6

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Exit 68A Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs Use the slight right lane.
7

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 33 sec · this road
Exit 68A Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs
8

Merge onto I 290; IL 53

5.7 mi · 7 min · I 290; IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 290

18 mi · 23 min · I 290
Toward I 290 East: Chicago Use the slight right lane.
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 33 sec
Exit 23B Toward Central Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Turn right onto South Central Avenue

0.3 mi · 44 sec · South Central Avenue
12

Turn left onto West Roosevelt Road

0.5 mi · 57 sec · West Roosevelt Road
13

Turn right onto South Laramie Avenue

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Laramie Avenue
14

Arrive at destination

South Laramie Avenue

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

village in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lombard, IL

23 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

East Dundee, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Itasca, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 22.7 miles from Gilberts, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.6 and 42.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
3.6 mi into trip | ~6m in

Turn left toward I 90 East Toll: Chicago

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 90 East Toll: Chicago
8
18.7 mi into trip | ~22m in

Take the exit toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 68A-B Toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs
9
19.2 mi into trip | ~23m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 68A Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West S...
7
25.4 mi into trip | ~32m in | I 290

Keep slight right at fork onto I 290 toward I 290 East: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 290 East: Chicago
7
42.9 mi into trip | ~55m 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

$7.10 one way

$14.20 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 16 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $7.79 $15.59
premium $4.89 $8.74 $17.47
diesel $5.61 $10.02 $20.05

Estimated Tolls: $1.03

Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (14.7 mi) $1.03

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$7

Tolls

$1

Total

$8

Estimated CO2 emission: 15.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 13.6 0 $4.77 $2.18
Efficient EV 11.4 0 $3.97 $1.82
EV Truck/SUV 18.2 0 $6.36 $2.91

Gas CO2

16 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (69% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Gilberts, IL

Late night in Gilberts on Sunday

Local time

2:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cicero, IL

Late night in Cicero on Sunday

Local time

2:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

18 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

1h 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.

What kind of drive is this?

The character of this drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 51% of the route on major roads like I-290 and the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 23.2 miles on I-290, offering a consistent pace for a good portion of the trip. The profile is described as a 'mixed drive,' suggesting a transition between faster highway speeds and potentially some local road segments. As you progress, the route will likely shift from the tollway system to more urban-influenced roadways.

51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 23.2 mi on I 290.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.6 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 45.4 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 3.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 18.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.2 miles: 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 Gilberts, IL to Cicero, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Suburbs along the way.

Suburbs

18.7 mi in | ~22m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h. Total distance: 45.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (51%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 23.2 miles on I 290. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.03 in tolls one way, starting with Jane Addams 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 3.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 18.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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.

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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Explore more options from Gilberts, IL or browse trips ending in Cicero, IL.

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