The drive from Bethalto, IL to Cicero, IL covers 271.3 miles and takes about 5h 7m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 55, State Route 140, South Cicero Avenue for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 256.4 miles on I 55.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.41 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
135.7 miles from Bethalto, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 271.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 7m highway drive covering 271.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and State Route 140. The longest continuous stretch is about 256.4 miles on I 55.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 256.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and State Route 140. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 11.8 miles in.
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 271.3 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: at 11.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 108.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
11.8 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
7
108.7 mi into trip|~2h 3m 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
138.1 mi into trip|~2h 34m 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
268.4 mi into trip|~5h 2m 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
270.2 mi into trip|~5h 5m in|West 31st Street
Turn left onto West 31st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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 Bethalto, IL to Cicero, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Peoria
138.1 mi in|~2h 34m|via I 55
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
256.4 mi
4h 43m
State Route 140
9.7 mi
13m
South Cicero Avenue
1.4 mi
2m
West State Street
0.8 mi
1m
East Bethalto Drive
0.7 mi
1m
South Laramie Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
South Prairie Street
0.6 mi
1m
West 31st Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 256.4 mi, about 4h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethalto, IL and Cicero, IL.
1
Start on West Sherman Street
8 ft·1 sec·West Sherman Street
2
Turn right onto South Prairie Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Prairie Street
3
Turn left onto IL 140
0.7 mi·1 min·East Bethalto Drive
4
Continue on IL 140
9.6 mi·13 min·State Route 140
5
Continue on IL 140
0.8 mi·1 min·West State Street
6
Continue on IL 140
443 ft·13 sec·State Route 140
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
8
Merge onto I 55
97 mi·1 hr 44 min·I 55
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·51 sec
Exit 286Toward IL 50: Cicero AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto IL 50
1.4 mi·2 min·South Cicero Avenue
13
Turn left onto West 31st Street
0.5 mi·58 sec·West 31st Street
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto South Laramie Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·South Laramie Avenue
15
Arrive at destination
South Laramie Avenue
Trip Plan
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 135.7 miles from Bethalto, IL, or about 2h 32m 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 60 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.7 miles or 2h 32m 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 10m
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 Bethalto, 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 Bethalto, IL
This is one driving day of about 271.3 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Bethalto, 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 135.7 mi from Bethalto, IL
· 2h 32m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 74.8
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 271.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.41 one way
$84.83 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$46.57
$93.14
premium
$4.89
$52.21
$104.42
diesel
$5.61
$59.90
$119.80
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: 94.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
3 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: fair
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Lincoln, Illinois
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Bloomington, Illinois
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
InCharge Energy Charging Station
Lincoln, Illinois
InCharge
1 DCFC
Other: 1
ChargePoint: 1
InCharge: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.4
1
$28.49
$13.02
Efficient EV
67.8
0
$23.74
$10.85
EV Truck/SUV
108.5
1
$37.98
$17.36
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Bethalto, IL
Morning
in Bethalto on Friday
Local time
11:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cicero, IL
Morning
in Cicero on Friday
Local time
11:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Bloomington, IL
136 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
5 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 7m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Bethalto, IL to Cicero, IL covers 271.3 miles and takes about 5h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, State Route 140, South Cicero Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 135.7 miles from Bethalto, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.41 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 271.3 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 108.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Bethalto, IL to Cicero, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
