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Trip from Cicero, IL to Grafton, IL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

5h 39m

Distance

292.4 mi

471 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 26m ★
6 AM
5h 40m
8 AM
6h 6m
10 AM
5h 49m
12 PM
5h 46m
3 PM
5h 50m
5 PM
6h 5m
8 PM
5h 32m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Illinois, United States

Grafton, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Cicero, IL to Grafton, IL covers 292.4 miles and takes about 5h 39m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I 55, I 72 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 127.8 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $45.71 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

146.2 miles from Cicero, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 47m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 39m. Total distance: 292.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 5h 39m highway drive covering 292.4 miles, with most of the trip on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 55. The longest continuous stretch is about 127.8 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.

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.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 127.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 55. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near West 31st Street.

Driving Effort 5/10

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

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 292.4 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.6 miles (West 31st Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 131.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

4
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | West 31st Street

Turn right onto West 31st Street

Navigation decision point

5
3.4 mi into trip | ~6m in | I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway

Merge onto I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
131.2 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in | I 55

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
6
196 mi into trip | ~3h 41m in | I 72; US 36

Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36 toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
5
292.4 mi into trip | ~5h 39m in | Oak Street

Turn left onto Oak Street

Navigation decision point

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

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

Springfield

131.2 mi in | ~2h 31m | via I 55

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Adlai Stevenson Expressway 127.8 mi 2h 24m
I 55 64.8 mi 1h 10m
I 72 37.2 mi 39m
United States Route 67 20.4 mi 23m
North 5th Street 14.5 mi 16m
McClusky Road 8.2 mi 14m
IL 3 8 mi 14m
South State Avenue 2.4 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Adlai Stevenson Expressway — 127.8 mi, about 2h 24m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on South Laramie Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Laramie Avenue
2

Turn right onto West 31st Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · West 31st Street
3

Turn left onto South Central Avenue

1.7 mi · 3 min · South Central Avenue
4

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 55 South
5

Merge onto I 55

128 mi · 2 hr 24 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

65 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36

37 mi · 39 min · I 72; US 36
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward US 67 South: Alton
9

Merge onto US 67

12 mi · 13 min · United States Route 67
10

Continue on US 67

2.3 mi · 2 min · 1440 E
11

Continue on US 67

1.4 mi · 1 min · North State Street
12

Continue on US 67

2.4 mi · 2 min · South State Avenue
13

Continue on US 67

1.4 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
14

Continue on US 67

8.1 mi · 9 min · United States Route 67
15

Continue on US 67

15 mi · 16 min · North 5th Street
16

Turn right onto IL 109

8.2 mi · 14 min · McClusky Road
17

Turn right onto IL 3

8.0 mi · 14 min · IL 3
18

Turn left onto IL 100

0.2 mi · 23 sec · East Main Street
19

Turn left onto Oak Street

86 ft · 3 sec · Oak Street
20

Arrive at destination

Oak Street

Trip Plan

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 146.2 miles from Cicero, IL, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 127.8 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 64 miles or 1h 15m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 146.2 miles or 2h 47m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 29m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Grafton, 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 292.4 miles and 5h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 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 Adlai Stevenson Expressway for about 127.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 146.2 mi from Cicero, IL · 2h 47m into the drive

city in Macon County, Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Decatur, IL

146 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

Joliet, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bloomington, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 146.2 miles from Cicero, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 127.8 miles.

Arriving in Grafton, IL

The final approach into Grafton, 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 Grafton, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

National Monument

In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 191.6
View on nps.gov
Pullman National Historical Park

Pullman National Historical Park

National Historical Park

In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...

13 mi from route ~32 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$45.71 one way

$91.43 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 102 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $50.19 $100.38
premium $4.89 $56.27 $112.54
diesel $5.61 $64.56 $129.12

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$46

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$71–$96

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 102.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 87.7 1 $30.70 $14.04
Efficient EV 73.1 0 $25.58 $11.70
EV Truck/SUV 117 1 $40.94 $18.71

Gas CO2

102 kg

EV CO2

34 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Cicero, IL

Evening in Cicero on Thursday

Local time

5:14 PM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Grafton, IL

Evening in Grafton on Thursday

Local time

5:14 PM

CDT

Current temp

79°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

27 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

5h 39m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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 Grafton, IL covers 292.4 miles and takes about 5h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I 55, I 72. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 146.2 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 $45.71 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 292.4 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.6 miles (West 31st Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 131.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Cicero, IL to Grafton, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park.

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