Origin
Bourbon, IL
Afternoon in Bourbon on Sunday
Local time
4:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountDrive 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
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bourbon, IL
Chad Populis
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 .
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.
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn right onto US 36 / County Road 950 N
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Vollmer Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward Vollmer Road West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto West 31st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto South Laramie Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Bourbon, IL to Cicero, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Vollmer Road West along the way.
Vollmer Road West
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Bourbon, IL and Cicero, IL.
Start on County Road 490E
Turn left onto North County Road 490 East
Continue on North County Road 475 East
Continue on County Highway 16
Turn left onto North County Road 540 East
Continue on North County Road 560 East
Continue on North County Road 590 East
At end of road, turn right onto US 36
Continue on US 36
Continue on US 36
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 57
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn right onto CH B66
Turn left onto IL 50
Continue on IL 50
Turn left onto West 31st Street
Turn right onto South Laramie Avenue
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
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
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129.9 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$24.67 one way
$49.33 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Bourbon on Sunday
Local time
4:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Cicero on Sunday
Local time
4:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Bourbon, IL or browse trips ending in Cicero, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.
Explore maps for Bourbon, IL or Cicero, IL on MapSof.net.