Trip from Bourbon, IL to Cicero, IL

Drive Time

3h 21m

Distance

162.4 mi

261 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 9m ★
6 AM
3h 21m
8 AM
3h 45m
10 AM
3h 30m
12 PM
3h 27m
3 PM
3h 31m
5 PM
3h 44m
8 PM
3h 14m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Bourbon, IL, IL

Bourbon, IL

Chad Populis

Trip Overview

Traveling from Bourbon to Cicero covers 162.4 miles, a journey that typically takes 3 hours and 21 minutes. Since this route remains entirely within Illinois, you will stay within the Midwest region for the duration of the trip. Given the manageable timeframe, it serves perfectly as a straightforward one-day excursion. You should budget approximately $24 for fuel to complete the transit. While you will only need to plan for one formal stop, the drive is efficient enough that you can easily reach your destination without feeling rushed.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

81.2 miles from Bourbon, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 81% of your travel time spent on major routes. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-57, which accounts for a substantial 129.9-mile stretch of the journey. Expect a steady, consistent pace as you transition from this primary interstate onto Cicero Avenue and South Cicero Avenue for the final leg. The character of the road shifts from open interstate cruising to the more localized, urban environment of Cicero, requiring a shift in driving focus as you approach the city.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 129.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Cicero Avenue. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.6 miles in near US 36 / County Road 950 N.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 162.4 miles you will encounter 11 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 3.6 miles (US 36 / County Road 950 N): Lane positioning matters here; at 139.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
3.6 mi into trip | ~14m in | US 36 / County Road 950 N

At end of road, turn right onto US 36 / County Road 950 N

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
7
139.1 mi into trip | ~2h 43m 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
139.4 mi into trip | ~2h 43m 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
161.2 mi into trip | ~3h 19m in | West 31st Street

Turn left onto West 31st Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
161.8 mi into trip | ~3h 20m in | South Laramie Avenue

Turn right onto South Laramie Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Bourbon, IL to Cicero, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Vollmer Road West along the way.

Vollmer Road West

139.4 mi in | ~2h 43m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 57 129.9 mi 2h 19m
Cicero Avenue 10.8 mi 17m
South Cicero Avenue 10.6 mi 17m
County Road 950 N 3.9 mi 5m
North County Road 590 East 1.6 mi 6m
County Highway 16 1.1 mi 4m
County Road 950 North 0.8 mi 1m
South Laramie Avenue 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 57 — 129.9 mi, about 2h 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bourbon, IL and Cicero, IL.

1

Start on County Road 490E

139 ft · 10 sec · County Road 490E
2

Turn left onto North County Road 490 East

449 ft · 19 sec · North County Road 490 East
3

Continue on North County Road 475 East

0.2 mi · 56 sec · North County Road 475 East
4

Continue on County Highway 16

1.1 mi · 4 min · County Highway 16
5

Turn left onto North County Road 540 East

0.5 mi · 1 min · North County Road 540 East
6

Continue on North County Road 560 East

382 ft · 16 sec · North County Road 560 East
7

Continue on North County Road 590 East

1.6 mi · 6 min · North County Road 590 East
8

At end of road, turn right onto US 36

3.9 mi · 5 min · County Road 950 N
Use the none lane.
9

Continue on US 36

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Southline Road
10

Continue on US 36

0.8 mi · 1 min · County Road 950 North
11

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
12

Merge onto I 57

130 mi · 2 hr 19 min · I 57
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Exit 342 Toward Vollmer Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork

522 ft · 17 sec
Exit 342 Toward Vollmer Road West Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15

Turn right onto CH B66

0.4 mi · 39 sec · Vollmer Road
16

Turn left onto IL 50

11 mi · 17 min · Cicero Avenue
Use the left lane.
17

Continue on IL 50

11 mi · 17 min · South Cicero Avenue
Use the none lane.
18

Turn left onto West 31st Street

0.5 mi · 58 sec · West 31st Street
Use the left lane.
19

Turn right onto South Laramie Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Laramie Avenue
Use the none lane.
20

Arrive at destination

South Laramie Avenue

Trip Plan

Because this is a highway-heavy route, try to time your departure to avoid peak congestion periods on the interstate. With a 3 hour and 21 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your single required stop whenever you need a quick stretch or a snack. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the longer stretches of I-57 to ensure you don't run low during that 129.9-mile segment. If you prefer a relaxed pace, consider mapping out your break near the transition point where you exit the interstate onto South Cicero Avenue. This approach helps you maintain momentum while ensuring you remain comfortable behind the wheel.

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 81.2 miles from Bourbon, IL, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.9 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 80 miles or 1h 39m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 81.2 miles or 1h 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 2h 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 Bourbon, 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 Bourbon, IL

This is one driving day of about 162.4 miles and 3h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bourbon, 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 57 for about 129.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 81.2 mi from Bourbon, IL · 1h 40m into the drive

Downtown Joliet, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Joliet, IL

81 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Champaign, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Champaign, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 81.2 miles from Bourbon, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129.9 miles.

Arriving in Cicero, IL

The final approach into Cicero, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Cicero, IL.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.67 one way

$49.33 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 57 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $27.19 $54.38
premium $4.80 $30.66 $61.32
diesel $5.64 $36.08 $72.16

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 56.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 48.7 0 $17.05 $7.80
Efficient EV 40.6 0 $14.21 $6.50
EV Truck/SUV 65 0 $22.74 $10.39

Gas CO2

57 kg

EV CO2

19 kg (67% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Bourbon, IL

Afternoon in Bourbon on Sunday

Local time

4:17 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cicero, IL

Afternoon in Cicero on Sunday

Local time

4:17 PM

CDT

Current temp

47°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

7 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

3h 21m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Bourbon, IL to Cicero, IL covers 162.4 miles and takes about 3h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, Cicero Avenue, 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 81.2 miles from Bourbon, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.67 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 162.4 miles you will encounter 11 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 3.6 miles (US 36 / County Road 950 N): Lane positioning matters here; at 139.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Bourbon, IL to Cicero, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Vollmer Road West along the way.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Cicero, IL to Bourbon, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

160.7 mi 3h 20m

Explore more options from Bourbon, IL or browse trips ending in Cicero, IL.

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