Trip from Cicero, IL to Carpentersville, IL

Drive Time

57m

Distance

40.5 mi

65 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$6

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 14 min
4 AM
0h 53m ★
6 AM
0h 58m
8 AM
1h 7m
10 AM
1h 1m
12 PM
1h 0m
3 PM
1h 2m
5 PM
1h 7m
8 PM
0h 55m

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

Downtown Carpentersville, IL, IL

Carpentersville, IL

Stéphane Tendon

Trip Overview

If you are planning a quick excursion from Cicero to Carpentersville, expect a straightforward 40.5-mile journey that typically takes about 57 minutes. You will primarily navigate via I-290, the Eisenhower Expressway, and the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. Given the short duration and distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. With a modest fuel cost of approximately $6, it is an economical drive for commuters or weekend travelers. Both locations sit firmly within the Midwest, offering a consistent regional feel as you transition between these Illinois communities.

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 Cicero, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 28m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip features a mixed drive profile, blending urban expressway navigation with suburban transit. You will spend about 53% of your travel time on highways, providing a balance of speed and local transitions. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 14.5 miles on I-290, which serves as the primary backbone of your journey. As you move away from the city, the road’s personality shifts from the dense traffic patterns of the Eisenhower Expressway to the more open flow of the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. Expect a functional, efficient drive that prioritizes direct transit over scenic detours.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 290 is the longest continuous segment at about 14.5 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

890 ft 604 ft

Total Climb

372 ft

Total Descent

87 ft

Highest Point

890 ft

~40.5 mi in

Elevation Range

286 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 2.5 miles in near I 290; IL 110 / Eisenhower Expressway.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 40.5 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 2.5 miles (I 290; IL 110 / Eisenhower Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.6 miles (I 290): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

5
2.5 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 290; IL 110 / Eisenhower Expressway

Merge onto I 290; IL 110 / Eisenhower Expressway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
8
9.6 mi into trip | ~14m in | I 290

Keep slight right at fork onto I 290 toward I 290 West, I 294 North Toll: Rockford, Milwaukee

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none lane. Toward I 290 West, I 294 North Toll: Rockford,...
8
24.1 mi into trip | ~33m in

Take the exit toward IL 72, IL 58: Higgins Road, Woodfield Road, Golf Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Exit 1B Toward IL 72, IL 58: Higgins Road, Woodfield Ro...
6
26.8 mi into trip | ~38m in

Turn left toward I 90 Toll West: Rockford

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 90 Toll West: Rockford
7
34 mi into trip | ~47m in

Take the exit toward IL 59

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 59 Toward IL 59

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Cicero, IL to Carpentersville, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Milwaukee along the way.

Milwaukee

9.6 mi in | ~14m | via I 290

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 290 14.5 mi 19m
Eisenhower Expressway 7.1 mi 9m
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway 6.7 mi 7m
West Higgins Road 3.8 mi 5m
South Kennedy Drive 1.9 mi 3m
South Laramie Avenue 1.8 mi 3m
North Meacham Road 1.4 mi 2m
East Higgins Road 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 290 — 14.5 mi, about 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on South Laramie Avenue

1.8 mi · 3 min · South Laramie Avenue
Use the none lane.
2

Turn left onto West Flournoy Street

0.5 mi · 55 sec · West Flournoy Street
3

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 25 sec · this road
Toward I 290 West Use the left / straight / right lanes.
4

Merge onto I 290; IL 110

7.1 mi · 9 min · Eisenhower Expressway
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
5

Keep slight right at fork onto I 290

15 mi · 19 min · I 290
Toward I 290 West, I 294 North Toll: Rockford, Milwaukee Use the none lane.
6

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Exit 1B Toward IL 72, IL 58: Higgins Road, Woodfield Road, Golf Road Use the right lane.
7

Turn left onto IL 72

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Higgins Road
Use the left / none lanes.
8

Turn right onto North Meacham Road

1.4 mi · 2 min · North Meacham Road
Use the none lane.
9

Turn left

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90 Toll West: Rockford Use the left lane.
10

Merge onto I 90

6.7 mi · 7 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the none lane.
11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Exit 59 Toward IL 59 Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Turn right onto IL 59

0.4 mi · 40 sec · New Sutton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
13

Turn left onto IL 72

3.8 mi · 5 min · West Higgins Road
Use the left lane.
14

Turn right onto IL 25

1.9 mi · 3 min · South Kennedy Drive
Use the none lane.
15

Arrive at destination

IL 25

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short 57-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, because you are utilizing major arteries like the Eisenhower Expressway, try to avoid traditional rush hour windows to ensure your travel time stays close to the 57-minute estimate. You won’t need to plan for formal stops, as the entire distance is easily manageable in one go. Keep your $6 fuel budget in mind when planning your departure, and ensure you have an active toll transponder ready for the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway sections. Staying alert during the transition between the expressway and tollway is the best way to keep your trip stress-free.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 20.2 miles from Cicero, IL, or about 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.5 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 40.5 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 Carpentersville, 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 40.5 miles and 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cicero, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 290 for about 14.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 20.2 mi from Cicero, IL · 28m into the drive

Downtown Des Plaines, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Des Plaines, IL

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Elgin, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 40.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Schaumburg, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 20.2 miles from Cicero, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Carpentersville, IL

The final approach into Carpentersville, 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 Carpentersville, IL.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$6.15 one way

$12.30 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 14 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $6.78 $13.56
premium $4.80 $7.65 $15.29
diesel $5.64 $9.00 $18.00

Estimated Tolls: $0.47

Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (6.7 mi) $0.47

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

$32–$57

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 14.2 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 12.2 0 $4.25 $1.94
Efficient EV 10.1 0 $3.54 $1.62
EV Truck/SUV 16.2 0 $5.67 $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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

Cicero, IL

Evening in Cicero on Sunday

Local time

5:39 PM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Carpentersville, IL

Evening in Carpentersville on Sunday

Local time

5:39 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Mostly Cloudy

ESE 10 mph 11% chance 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

10 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

57m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Cicero, IL to Carpentersville, IL covers 40.5 miles and takes about 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 290, Eisenhower Expressway, Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 20.2 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 $6.15 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 40.5 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 2.5 miles (I 290; IL 110 / Eisenhower Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.6 miles (I 290): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Cicero, IL to Carpentersville, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Milwaukee along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 604 ft to 890 ft elevation with about 372 ft of total climbing.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Carpentersville, IL to Cicero, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

40.4 mi 57m

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

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