Staunton to Cicero is 251.3 miles and takes about 4h 42m via I 55, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a predominantly highway experience, making it a straightforward option for a quick trip between these two points. The route is set up for a single-day drive, with minimal need to break it up unless you prefer a more leisurely pace.
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
125.6 miles from Staunton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
245.5 mi
4h 31m
West Main Street
1.5 mi
2m
South Cicero Avenue
1.4 mi
2m
Staunton Road
1 mi
1m
South Laramie Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
West 31st Street
0.5 mi
<1m
North Hibbard Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 245.5 mi, about 4h 31m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,743 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,333
Quietest
2 AM
~157 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
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 Staunton, IL and Cicero, IL.
1
Start on IL 4
75 ft·6 sec·North Hibbard Street
2
Turn left onto West Main Street
1.5 mi·2 min·West Main Street
3
Continue on Staunton Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Staunton Road
4
Take the ramp
127 ft·6 sec
Toward I 55 North: Springfield
5
Turn left
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 55 North: Springfield
6
Merge onto I 55
86 mi·1 hr 32 min·I 55
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·51 sec
Exit 286Toward IL 50: Cicero AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn left onto IL 50
1.4 mi·2 min·South Cicero Avenue
11
Turn left onto West 31st Street
0.5 mi·58 sec·West 31st Street
Use the left lane.
12
Turn right onto South Laramie Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·South Laramie Avenue
13
Arrive at destination
South Laramie Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 42m estimated duration, leaving Staunton in the morning should get you to Cicero with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $40, you can be quite flexible with your timing. The vast majority of this drive is on I 55, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge as the longest stretch is nearly the entire route. Plan for a brief stop roughly 245 miles into your trip to stretch your legs before the final approach into Cicero.
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 125.6 miles from Staunton, IL, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 245.5 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 55 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.6 miles or 2h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 49m
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 Staunton, 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 Staunton, IL
This is one driving day of about 251.3 miles and 4h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Staunton, 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 245.5 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 250.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|West Main Street
Turn left onto West Main Street
Navigation decision point
7
88.7 mi into trip|~1h 38m 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
118.1 mi into trip|~2h 9m 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
248.4 mi into trip|~4h 37m 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
250.2 mi into trip|~4h 40m in|West 31st Street
Turn left onto West 31st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.92 one way
$83.84 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$45.74
$91.48
premium
$5.25
$51.97
$103.94
diesel
$6.28
$62.09
$124.19
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: 87.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.4
0
$26.39
$12.06
Efficient EV
62.8
0
$21.99
$10.05
EV Truck/SUV
100.5
1
$35.18
$16.08
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 19, 2026
Origin
Staunton, IL
Morning
in Staunton on Thursday
Local time
6:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Sunny
SE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Cicero, IL
Morning
in Cicero on Thursday
Local time
6:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Sunny
SSW 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
64°F
Bloomington, IL
126 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
4 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
4h 42m 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 251.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 98% highway, meaning you'll spend almost the entire 251.3 miles on major roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll be on is 245.5 miles of I 55. You'll transition from I 55 to West Main Street and then South Cicero Avenue, indicating a shift from high-speed interstate travel to more urban surface streets as you approach your destination. Be prepared for an increase in exits and local traffic during the final part of the drive.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 245.5 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and West Main Street. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Main Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 251.3 miles you will encounter 9 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 (West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 88.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
854 ft556 ft
Total Climb
560 ft
Total Descent
575 ft
Highest Point
854 ft
~125.6 mi in
Elevation Range
297 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 Staunton, 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 4h 42m. Total distance: 251.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 245.5 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 88.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.1 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Cicero, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
