Origin
Cicero, IL
Evening in Cicero on Sunday
Local time
5:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cicero, IL to Johnston City, IL
Drive Time
5h 45m
Distance
307.6 mi
495 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 33m
★
6 AM
5h 46m
8 AM
6h 12m
10 AM
5h 55m
12 PM
5h 53m
3 PM
5h 57m
5 PM
6h 11m
8 PM
5h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Johnston City, IL
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Traveling from Cicero to Johnston City covers 307.6 miles across the heart of Illinois. You should plan for a driving time of approximately 5 hours and 45 minutes, making this a manageable one-day trip for most drivers. With a fuel budget of about $47, it is an affordable way to traverse the state from the Chicago suburbs down to the southern regions. Since the route is primarily interstate-focused, you can expect a straightforward journey that moves you efficiently between these two Midwest locations. While it is certainly feasible to complete this drive in a single sitting, having flexibility in your schedule will make the experience much more relaxed.
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
153.8 miles from Cicero, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 57m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is defined by a heavy reliance on high-speed infrastructure, with 93% of your journey taking place on highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-57, which accounts for a significant 254.2-mile stretch of the drive. The experience is largely a highway-focused grind, perfect for those who prioritize speed and efficiency over winding backroads. As you transition from the suburban traffic near South Cicero Avenue onto the open interstate, the pace becomes consistent and predictable. Navigating the Ken Gray Expressway toward the end of your trip provides a final change in scenery as you reach your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near IL 50 / South Cicero Avenue.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 307.6 miles you will encounter 13 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 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 13 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 none lane.
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 none / 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
5
305.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 41m in
Take the exit toward Johnston City, Herrin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Johnston City, Herrin
5
306.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 42m in
|
Herrin Road
Turn left onto Herrin Road
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 254.2 mi | 4h 34m |
| Ken Gray Expressway | 32.7 mi | 35m |
| South Cicero Avenue | 10.6 mi | 17m |
| Cicero Avenue | 6.6 mi | 10m |
| West Broadway Boulevard | 1 mi | 2m |
| South Laramie Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West 31st Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Washington Avenue | 0.3 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 Johnston City, IL.
1
Start on South Laramie Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Laramie Avenue
Use the none lane.
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 none lane.
4
Continue on IL 50
6.6 mi
·
10 min
·
Cicero Avenue
Use the none lane.
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 none / 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
33 mi
·
35 min
·
Ken Gray Expressway
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward Johnston City, Herrin
11
Turn left onto Herrin Road
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Herrin Road
12
Continue on West Broadway Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Broadway Boulevard
13
Turn left onto Washington Avenue
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Washington Avenue
14
At end of road, turn left onto East 9th Street
49 ft
·
4 sec
·
East 9th Street
15
Turn right onto Washington Avenue
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Washington Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
Washington Avenue
Trip Plan
To keep your 5-hour and 45-minute trek smooth, aim to depart early to avoid peak traffic congestion near the start of your journey in Cicero. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to break up the long 254.2-mile stretch on I-57. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $47 estimate can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and current pump prices. Since this is a single-day route, utilize your one planned stop to stretch your legs thoroughly before finishing the final leg into Johnston City. Having a clear plan for your mid-trip break will ensure you arrive feeling refreshed rather than fatigued.
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 153.8 miles from Cicero, IL, or about 2h 57m 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 80 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.8 miles or 2h 57m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Johnston City, 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 307.6 miles and 5h 45m.
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.
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 153.8 mi from Cicero, IL · 2h 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
154 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 153.8 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 Johnston City, IL
The final approach into Johnston City, 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 Johnston City, 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
$46.72 one way
$93.44 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
108 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $51.50 | $103.01 |
| premium | $4.80 | $58.07 | $116.14 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $68.34 | $136.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 92.3 | 1 | $32.30 | $14.76 |
| Efficient EV | 76.9 | 0 | $26.92 | $12.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 123 | 1 | $43.06 | $19.69 |
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 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
Johnston City, IL
Evening in Johnston City on Sunday
Local time
5:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°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
29 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 45m 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 Johnston City, IL covers 307.6 miles and takes about 5h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, Ken Gray Expressway, South Cicero Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 153.8 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 $46.72 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 307.6 miles you will encounter 13 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 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 Johnston City, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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