Paxton, IL to Cicero, IL is 105.1 miles and takes about 2h 7m via I 57 and Cicero Avenue, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, connecting two points in Illinois. It's a fairly direct trip, primarily utilizing interstate highways before transitioning to a more urban surface street for the final approach. Given its relatively short distance and duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day journey, making it a convenient option for those needing to travel between these locations without an overnight commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.6 miles from Paxton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
80.5 mi
1h 26m
Cicero Avenue
10.8 mi
17m
South Cicero Avenue
10.6 mi
17m
South Laramie Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
West 31st Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Ottawa Road
0.5 mi
<1m
Vollmer Road
0.4 mi
<1m
South Railroad Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 80.5 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paxton, IL and Cicero, IL.
1
Start on this road
16 ft·6 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto IL 9
172 ft·8 sec·East Pells Street
3
Turn left onto US 45; IL 9
0.2 mi·19 sec·South Railroad Avenue
4
Turn slight right
155 ft·5 sec
5
Turn right onto IL 9
345 ft·11 sec·East Patton Street
6
Turn left onto IL 9
0.2 mi·16 sec·South Market Street
7
Continue on IL 9
0.5 mi·44 sec·Ottawa Road
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I-57 North: Kankakee
9
Merge onto I 57
81 mi·1 hr 26 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 342Toward Vollmer RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
522 ft·17 sec
Exit 342Toward Vollmer Road WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto CH B66
0.4 mi·39 sec·Vollmer Road
13
Turn left onto IL 50
11 mi·17 min·Cicero Avenue
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on IL 50
11 mi·17 min·South Cicero Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn left onto West 31st Street
0.5 mi·58 sec·West 31st Street
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto South Laramie Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·South Laramie Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
South Laramie Avenue
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over two hours, this route is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for a flexible departure time. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid peak rush hour traffic in the Chicago metropolitan area. You won't need to worry about extensive fuel stops, as the estimated fuel cost is only $16. The longest continuous stretch is 80.5 miles on I 57, so plan for a brief rest stop before or after this segment if needed. Keep an eye out for the transition from I 57 to Cicero Avenue, as this is where the driving environment will change most significantly.
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 52.6 miles from Paxton, IL, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.5 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 23 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.6 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 36m
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 Paxton, 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 Paxton, IL
This is one driving day of about 105.1 miles and 2h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Paxton, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 80.5 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 104 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|IL 9 / East Pells Street
Turn left onto IL 9 / East Pells Street
Navigation decision point
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 45; IL 9 / South Railroad Avenue
Turn left onto US 45; IL 9 / South Railroad Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
81.9 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Take the exit toward Vollmer Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 342
Toward Vollmer Road
9
82.2 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Vollmer Road West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 342
Toward Vollmer Road West
6
104 mi into trip|~2h 5m in|West 31st Street
Turn left onto West 31st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.43 one way
$32.86 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$18.04
$36.08
premium
$4.89
$20.23
$40.45
diesel
$5.61
$23.20
$46.41
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.5
0
$11.04
$5.04
Efficient EV
26.3
0
$9.20
$4.20
EV Truck/SUV
42
0
$14.71
$6.73
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 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
Paxton, IL
Late night
in Paxton on Tuesday
Local time
3:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cicero, IL
Late night
in Cicero on Tuesday
Local time
3:08 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
17 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
2h 7m 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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 94.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 77% of the route utilizing interstates. You'll experience a significant stretch of 80.5 miles on I 57, offering a consistent pace. As you approach your destination, the main roads shift to Cicero Avenue and South Cicero Avenue, indicating a transition from open highway to more developed, potentially busier, urban and suburban environments. Expect a primarily functional driving experience, prioritizing efficiency over scenic detours.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.5 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Cicero Avenue. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IL 9 / East Pells Street.
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 105.1 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: near the start (IL 9 / East Pells Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (US 45; IL 9 / South Railroad Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 81.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Paxton, IL to Cicero, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Vollmer Road West 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 7m. Total distance: 105.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.5 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IL 9 / East Pells Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (US 45; IL 9 / South Railroad Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 81.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
