Origin
Cicero, IL
Evening in Cicero on Sunday
Local time
5:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cicero, IL to Markham, IL
Drive Time
4h 33m
Distance
240.5 mi
387 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 20m
★
6 AM
4h 33m
8 AM
5h 0m
10 AM
4h 42m
12 PM
4h 40m
3 PM
4h 44m
5 PM
4h 59m
8 PM
4h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Markham, IL
Mike Tyurin
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Cicero to Markham, expect a straightforward 240.5-mile journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 33 minutes. This route is designed as a single-day trip, making it an efficient option if you prefer to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major corridors like the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I-55, and I-72. Budgeting approximately $37 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. Since both the start and end points are located within the Midwest, the drive stays consistently within the region, offering a familiar landscape throughout the transit. It is a highly practical choice for travelers prioritizing speed and directness over rural detours.
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
120.3 miles from Cicero, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a quintessential highway-focused drive, with 98% of your time spent on high-speed interstate roads. You should prepare for a consistent, steady pace as you navigate these major thoroughfares. The longest uninterrupted portion of your trip covers 127.8 miles along the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, which will demand your focus for a significant chunk of the drive. Because the route relies so heavily on I-55 and I-72, the experience is largely about maintaining momentum rather than navigating technical local roads. Expect a functional, efficient driving experience that favors highway cruising over scenic, winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 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 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near South Central Avenue.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 240.5 miles you will encounter 10 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 (South Central Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; 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 10 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
|
South Central Avenue
Turn left onto South Central Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
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 none / 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 none / 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
232.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 20m in
Take the exit toward I 72 Business East, US 67 North: Jacksonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 72 Business East, US 67 North: Jackson...
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Cicero, IL to Markham, 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 | 36.8 mi | 39m |
| I 72 Bus | 6 mi | 6m |
| South Central Avenue | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Markham Road | 1.1 mi | 4m |
| South Laramie Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West 31st Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
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 Markham, IL.
1
Start on South Laramie Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Laramie Avenue
Use the none lane.
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
Use the none lane.
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 none / 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 none / 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
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 72 Business East, US 67 North: Jacksonville
9
Merge onto I 72 Bus; US 67
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
I 72 Bus; US 67
10
Turn left onto Markham Road
1.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Markham Road
11
Arrive at destination
Markham Road
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 33-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. While the route is manageable in one go, scheduling at least one stop is recommended to break up the monotony of the 240.5-mile distance. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the long 127.8-mile stretch on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, as you will want to ensure you are fueled up before hitting that extended highway section. Since you are staying exclusively on major interstates, prioritize checking real-time traffic reports for the Adlai Stevenson Expressway before you leave to avoid potential congestion. This streamlined approach keeps your travel time predictable and your transit stress-free.
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 120.3 miles from Cicero, IL, or about 2h 18m 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 80 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.3 miles or 2h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Markham, 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 240.5 miles and 4h 33m.
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 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 120.3 mi from Cicero, IL · 2h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
120 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 120.3 miles from Cicero, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 127.8 miles.
Arriving in Markham, IL
The final approach into Markham, 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 Markham, 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
$36.53 one way
$73.06 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
84 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $40.27 | $80.54 |
| premium | $4.80 | $45.40 | $90.80 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $53.43 | $106.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72.1 | 0 | $25.25 | $11.54 |
| Efficient EV | 60.1 | 0 | $21.04 | $9.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 96.2 | 1 | $33.67 | $15.39 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Markham, IL
Evening in Markham on Sunday
Local time
5:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
53°F
Bloomington, IL
120 mi in
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
26 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
4h 33m 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 Markham, IL covers 240.5 miles and takes about 4h 33m 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 120.3 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 $36.53 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 240.5 miles you will encounter 10 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 (South Central Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; 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 Markham, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
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