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Create accountDrive Time
6h 44m
Distance
360.8 mi
581 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$55
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Metropolis, IL
Paolo Sanchez
The drive from Cicero, IL to Metropolis, IL covers 360.8 miles and takes about 6h 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 57, Ken Gray Expressway, I 24 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 254.2 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $54.80 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
180.4 miles from Cicero, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 26m into the drive .
This is a 6h 44m highway drive covering 360.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 254.2 miles on I 57.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
68 ft
Total Descent
191 ft
Highest Point
686 ft
~150.3 mi in
Elevation Range
191 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. 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.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 360.8 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 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto West 31st Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto IL 50 / South Cicero Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward US 45: Metropolis, Brookport, Rest Area, Welcome Center
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 254.2 mi | 4h 34m |
| Ken Gray Expressway | 47.2 mi | 50m |
| I 24 | 35.6 mi | 38m |
| South Cicero Avenue | 10.6 mi | 17m |
| Cicero Avenue | 6.6 mi | 10m |
| United States Route 45 | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| East 12th Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| South Laramie Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Cicero, IL and Metropolis, IL.
Start on South Laramie Avenue
Turn left onto West 31st Street
Turn right onto IL 50
Continue on IL 50
Turn left onto 167th Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 57
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
Take the exit
Continue on I 24
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 45
Turn right onto East 12th Street
Turn left onto Ferry Street
Turn right onto West 5th Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 180.4 miles or 3h 26m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Metropolis, IL than in the middle of the route.
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 360.8 miles and 6h 44m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 180.4 mi from Cicero, IL · 3h 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
180 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 180.4 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.
The final approach into Metropolis, 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 Metropolis, 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.
Regular Gas
$54.80 one way
$109.60 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $60.41 | $120.83 |
| premium | $4.80 | $68.11 | $136.22 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $80.16 | $160.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 108.2 | 1 | $37.88 | $17.32 |
| Efficient EV | 90.2 | 1 | $31.57 | $14.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 144.3 | 1 | $50.51 | $23.09 |
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Cicero on Sunday
Local time
3:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Afternoon in Metropolis on Sunday
Local time
3:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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