Origin
Cicero, IL
Morning in Cicero on Saturday
Local time
8:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cicero, IL to Carbondale, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 9m
Distance
325.9 mi
525 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 57m
★
6 AM
6h 10m
8 AM
6h 35m
10 AM
6h 19m
12 PM
6h 16m
3 PM
6h 20m
5 PM
6h 34m
8 PM
6h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carbondale, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Cicero, IL to Carbondale, IL is 325.9 miles and takes about 6h 9m via I 57, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive keeps you within the Midwest region, staying entirely within Illinois. It's a highway-focused trip, making it a straightforward journey if you're looking for efficiency. With a recommended one-day drive and a relatively short duration, this route is ideal for a quick transition between the northern and southern parts of the state.
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
163 miles from Cicero, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 7m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 9m. Total distance: 325.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 93% of the journey on major roads like I 57. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 254.2 miles on I 57, so expect long periods of consistent driving. The primary roads, including Ken Gray Expressway and IL-13 near the end, ensure a smooth and generally fast pace for most of the 325.9 miles. This means fewer opportunities for spontaneous stops but a predictable and efficient travel experience.
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 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 254.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near IL 50 / South Cicero Avenue.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 325.9 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 1.1 miles (IL 50 / South Cicero Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 19 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 207.5 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
IL 50 / South Cicero Avenue
Turn right onto IL 50 / South Cicero Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
19 mi into trip
|
~31m in
|
I 57
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
207.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 55m in
|
I 57
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
6
310.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 47m in
Keep slight left at fork toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
6
311.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 48m in
Keep slight right at fork toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 254.2 mi | 4h 34m |
| Ken Gray Expressway | 37.4 mi | 40m |
| IL-13 | 11 mi | 16m |
| South Cicero Avenue | 10.6 mi | 17m |
| Cicero Avenue | 6.6 mi | 10m |
| West Deyoung Street | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| South Laramie Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West 31st Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 254.2 mi, about 4h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cicero, IL and Carbondale, IL.
1
Start on South Laramie Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Laramie Avenue
2
Turn left onto West 31st Street
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
West 31st Street
3
Turn right onto IL 50
11 mi
·
17 min
·
South Cicero Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on IL 50
6.6 mi
·
10 min
·
Cicero Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Turn left onto 167th Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
167th Street
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 57 South: Kankakee, I-80
7
Merge onto I 57
188 mi
·
3 hr 23 min
·
I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
66 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 57
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
37 mi
·
40 min
·
Ken Gray Expressway
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
13
Merge onto IL 13
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West Deyoung Street
14
Continue on IL 13
11 mi
·
16 min
·
IL-13
15
Arrive at destination
IL 13
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 9m estimated duration, leaving Cicero in the morning allows ample time to reach Carbondale before evening. With only one recommended stop and a highway-focused profile, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 254.2-mile stretch on I 57, as services can be spaced out. The $48 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a buffer for varying prices.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 163 miles from Cicero, IL, or about 3h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 254.2 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 72 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 163 miles or 3h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carbondale, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cicero, 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 Cicero, IL
This is one driving day of about 325.9 miles and 6h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Cicero, 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 254.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 163 mi from Cicero, IL · 3h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
163 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 72 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 163 miles from Cicero, 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 254.2 miles.
Arriving in Carbondale, IL
The final approach into Carbondale, 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 Carbondale, 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
$48.38 one way
$96.77 round trip
$3.77/gal
25.4 MPG avg
114 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $54.57 | $109.14 |
| premium | $4.65 | $59.71 | $119.43 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $68.05 | $136.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 97.8 | 1 | $34.22 | $15.64 |
| Efficient EV | 81.5 | 0 | $28.52 | $13.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 130.4 | 1 | $45.63 | $20.86 |
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Carbondale, IL
Morning in Carbondale on Saturday
Local time
8:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
5 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 9m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Cicero, IL to Carbondale, IL covers 325.9 miles and takes about 6h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, Ken Gray Expressway, IL-13. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 163 miles from Cicero, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.38 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 325.9 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (IL 50 / South Cicero Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 19 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 207.5 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Cicero, IL to Carbondale, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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