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Create accountDrive Time
57m
Distance
40.4 mi
65 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carpentersville, IL
Stéphane Tendon
Spanning 40.4 miles, this direct route from Carpentersville to Cicero is a straightforward Midwest trip that typically takes about 57 minutes to complete. Because of the manageable duration, you can easily handle this as a one-day excursion without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $6 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. You will navigate a mix of thoroughfares, including the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, Higgins Road, and I-290. Whether you are heading into the city for business or personal errands, this drive offers a practical connection between these two Illinois locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
20.2 miles from Carpentersville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 28m into the drive .
This trip features a mixed driving profile, transitioning between high-speed tollways and slower local roads. With roughly 57% of your travel occurring on highways, you will encounter a variety of traffic patterns throughout the 40.4-mile journey. Your longest uninterrupted stretch covers 23.2 miles on I-290, which serves as the primary artery for the middle portion of your trip. As you move away from the suburban landscape of Carpentersville and head toward Cicero, the road environment shifts from open highway lanes to the more dense infrastructure typical of the region. Stay alert as the road dynamics change, moving from the open flow of the tollway into the tighter, more complex traffic flow near your destination.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
91 ft
Total Descent
376 ft
Highest Point
890 ft
Elevation Range
287 ft
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.7 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 40.4 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 13.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.4 miles (I 290): 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.
Take the exit toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 290 toward I 290 East: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Central Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto South Laramie Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Carpentersville, IL to Cicero, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Suburbs along the way.
Suburbs
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 290 | 23.2 mi | 30m |
| Higgins Road | 6.3 mi | 9m |
| Jane Addams Memorial Tollway | 4.5 mi | 4m |
| North Kennedy Drive | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| South Laramie Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| West Roosevelt Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| South Barrington Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Central Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Carpentersville, IL and Cicero, IL.
Start on IL 25
Turn left onto IL 72
Turn sharp left onto South Barrington Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 90
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on this road
Merge onto I 290; IL 53
Keep slight right at fork onto I 290
Take the exit
Turn right onto South Central Avenue
Turn left onto West Roosevelt Road
Turn right onto South Laramie Avenue
Arrive at destination
Given the 57-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding when you hit the road, though you should account for potential congestion on I-290 during typical commuting hours. Since this is a relatively short trip, you likely won't need to plan for formal rest stops, but keeping the $6 fuel estimate in mind will help you budget for the round trip. Because there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you can easily adjust your pace to accommodate your personal agenda. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to toll signage on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, as your electronic payment method will be essential for a smooth transition onto the highway system.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 40.4 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 20.2 miles or 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cicero, IL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Carpentersville, 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 Carpentersville, IL
This is one driving day of about 40.4 miles and 57m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.2 mi from Carpentersville, IL · 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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 40.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 20.2 miles from Carpentersville, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$6.14 one way
$12.27 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $6.76 | $13.53 |
| premium | $4.80 | $7.63 | $15.25 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.98 | $17.95 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.32
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.1 | 0 | $4.24 | $1.94 |
| Efficient EV | 10.1 | 0 | $3.53 | $1.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.2 | 0 | $5.66 | $2.59 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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 Carpentersville on Sunday
Local time
4:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Cloudy
Destination
Afternoon in Cicero on Sunday
Local time
4:21 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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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