Smithton, IL to Cicero, IL is 296 miles and takes about 5h 39m via I 55, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, specifically within Illinois for its entirety. Given its profile, the drive is mostly highway, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. You can expect a relatively quick transit between these two points, ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to cover the distance.
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
148 miles from Smithton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
271.4 mi
4h 59m
North Illinois Street
9.8 mi
15m
North Main Street
7.4 mi
11m
Vandalia Street
2.8 mi
4m
South Cicero Avenue
1.4 mi
2m
South Morrison Avenue
1.3 mi
1m
South Laramie Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
West 31st Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 271.4 mi, about 4h 59m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,681 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,233
Quietest
2 AM
~156 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Smithton, IL and Cicero, IL.
1
Start on Breckenridge Street
37 ft·3 sec·Breckenridge Street
2
Turn right onto IL 159
7.4 mi·11 min·North Main Street
3
Enter roundabout onto IL 159
177 ft·4 sec·North Illinois Street
4
Continue on IL 159
9.8 mi·15 min·North Illinois Street
5
Continue on IL 159
1.3 mi·1 min·South Morrison Avenue
6
Continue on IL 159
2.8 mi·4 min·Vandalia Street
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East
8
Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40
3.8 mi·4 min·I 55; I 70; US 40
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: ChicagoUse 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, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·51 sec
Exit 286Toward IL 50: Cicero AvenueUse 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 39m estimated drive time, starting in the morning should allow you to reach Cicero with plenty of daylight to spare. The route is primarily highway, so plan your one recommended stop strategically for a break or fuel refill along the 271.4-mile stretch of I 55. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the final 24.6 miles off the interstate, as services might become less frequent. The straightforward nature of this drive means you have flexibility if you encounter unexpected delays.
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 148 miles from Smithton, IL, or about 2h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 271.4 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 65 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148 miles or 2h 50m 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 37m
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 Smithton, 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 Smithton, IL
This is one driving day of about 296 miles and 5h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Smithton, 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 271.4 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 25.5 and 294.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
25.5 mi into trip|~38m 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
133.4 mi into trip|~2h 35m 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
162.8 mi into trip|~3h 6m 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
293.1 mi into trip|~5h 34m 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
6
294.8 mi into trip|~5h 37m in|West 31st Street
Turn left onto West 31st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.38 one way
$98.75 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg104 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$53.87
$107.75
premium
$5.25
$61.22
$122.43
diesel
$6.28
$73.14
$146.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.8
1
$31.08
$14.21
Efficient EV
74
0
$25.90
$11.84
EV Truck/SUV
118.4
1
$41.44
$18.94
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 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 Oct 22, 2026
Origin
Smithton, IL
Late night
in Smithton on Saturday
Local time
3:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
NE 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Cicero, IL
Late night
in Cicero on Saturday
Local time
3:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Sunny
ENE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
74°F
Athens, IL
148 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
6 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 39m 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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 102.1
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 296
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 92% of the trip taking place on major interstates. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on I 55, with one continuous stretch covering 271.4 miles. The transition to surface streets happens late in the drive, with North Illinois Street and North Main Street marking the final approach to Cicero. Expect frequent exits and potential for merging traffic as you near your destination.
92% 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: 271.4 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and North Illinois Street. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 25.5 miles in near I 55.
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 296 miles you will encounter 10 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 25.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 162.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
795 ft472 ft
Total Climb
561 ft
Total Descent
429 ft
Highest Point
795 ft
~169.1 mi in
Elevation Range
323 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Smithton, IL and Cicero, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.
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 39m. Total distance: 296 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 271.4 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 34 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 34 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 25.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 162.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 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.
