Godfrey, IL to Cicero, IL is 281.5 miles and takes about 5h 21m via I 55 and IL 255, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This all-Illinois route stays within the Midwest region, offering a straightforward trip between two points in the state. With a 97% highway share, expect mostly high-speed driving, making it a quick option for a single-day trip. If you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground within Illinois, this route prioritizes speed and directness.
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
140.7 miles from Godfrey, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
256.4 mi
4h 43m
State Route 140
9.7 mi
13m
IL 255
7.9 mi
9m
West Bethalto Drive
1.8 mi
3m
South Cicero Avenue
1.4 mi
2m
West State Street
0.8 mi
1m
South Laramie Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
West 31st Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 256.4 mi, about 4h 43m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,689 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,115
Quietest
2 AM
~152 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Godfrey, IL and Cicero, IL.
1
Start on Isabel Street
312 ft·13 sec·Isabel Street
2
Continue on Isabel Drive
0.2 mi·45 sec·Isabel Drive
3
At end of road, turn right onto Pearl Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Pearl Street
4
Turn left onto Humbert Road
0.3 mi·34 sec·Humbert Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 255 South
6
Merge onto IL 255
7.9 mi·9 min·IL 255
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 10Toward IL 111, IL 140: Alton, Bethalto
8
Keep slight left at fork
206 ft·6 sec
Toward IL 111, IL 140: Bethalto
9
Turn slight left onto IL 111; IL 140
0.3 mi·36 sec·East MacArthur Drive
10
Continue on IL 140
1.8 mi·3 min·West Bethalto Drive
11
Continue on IL 140
9.6 mi·13 min·State Route 140
12
Continue on IL 140
0.8 mi·1 min·West State Street
13
Continue on IL 140
443 ft·13 sec·State Route 140
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
15
Merge onto I 55
97 mi·1 hr 44 min·I 55
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
130 mi·2 hr 27 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·51 sec
Exit 286Toward IL 50: Cicero AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn left onto IL 50
1.4 mi·2 min·South Cicero Avenue
20
Turn left onto West 31st Street
0.5 mi·58 sec·West 31st Street
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto South Laramie Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·South Laramie Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
South Laramie Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, departing in the morning from Godfrey will allow you to arrive in Cicero with plenty of daylight remaining. You can easily complete this drive in one day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider an early afternoon departure and a brief stop. With a fuel cost estimated at $44, be sure to fill up before leaving Godfrey, as the longest stretch on I 55 is quite substantial. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that 256-mile segment.
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 140.7 miles from Godfrey, IL, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 256.4 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 62 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.7 miles or 2h 40m 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 21m
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 Godfrey, 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 Godfrey, IL
This is one driving day of about 281.5 miles and 5h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Godfrey, 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 256.4 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 9.1 and 278.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
9.1 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward IL 111, IL 140: Alton, Bethalto
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 10
Toward IL 111, IL 140: Alton, Bethalto
7
9.3 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward IL 111, IL 140: Bethalto
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IL 111, IL 140: Bethalto
7
118.9 mi into trip|~2h 16m 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
148.2 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
278.6 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
$41.57 one way
$83.14 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$45.89
$91.79
premium
$4.72
$52.27
$104.53
diesel
$4.80
$53.15
$106.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.5
1
$29.56
$13.51
Efficient EV
70.4
0
$24.63
$11.26
EV Truck/SUV
112.6
1
$39.41
$18.02
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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
Godfrey, IL
Late night
in Godfrey on Sunday
Local time
4:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
SW 3 to 7 mph2% 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 Sunday
Local time
4:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SW 5 to 10 mph16% 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
87°F
Athens, IL
141 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
3 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 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...
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 281.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on the highway for 97% of this drive, with a significant 256.4-mile stretch on I 55. This means your experience will be dominated by high-speed cruising. The transition from highway to surface roads will likely be gradual as you approach your destination. Expect a high volume of exits and potential for merging traffic as you near Cicero.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 256.4 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and State Route 140. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.1 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 281.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 9.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
803 ft529 ft
Total Climb
578 ft
Total Descent
583 ft
Highest Point
803 ft
~160.8 mi in
Elevation Range
274 ft
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 Godfrey, IL to Cicero, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
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 21m. Total distance: 281.5 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 (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 256.4 miles on I 55. 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 9.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.9 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.
