Origin
Cicero, IL
Evening in Cicero on Sunday
Local time
5:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountDrive Time
47m
Distance
35 mi
56 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North Aurora, IL
Kristen Nagy
If you are looking for a quick getaway from Cicero to North Aurora, this 35-mile trip is an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. You can expect to spend about 47 minutes behind the wheel, making it a highly efficient route for those who prefer to spend their time at the destination rather than on the road. With a budget of just $5 for fuel, this is an incredibly cost-effective trip for a weekend outing. You will be traveling entirely within the Midwest, moving from Cicero to North Aurora without the need for an overnight stay. Since the route requires zero planned stops, you have the flexibility to head out whenever your schedule allows. This drive is a straightforward local transit that connects two Illinois points with minimal fuss.
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
17.5 miles from Cicero, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 24m into the drive .
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you transition between urban and suburban settings. While you will spend about 20% of your travel time on highways, the experience is defined by navigating local roads like South Laramie Avenue. You will eventually merge onto the Eisenhower Expressway and the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway to cover the bulk of the distance. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 23.9-mile segment on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, providing a brief period of steady cruising. The road’s personality shifts from the dense, multi-turn local streets of Cicero to the more open, high-speed flow of the tollway, requiring you to stay alert for rapid changes in traffic patterns.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
255 ft
Total Descent
179 ft
Highest Point
772 ft
~19 mi in
Elevation Range
168 ft
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.6 miles in near I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 8 significant decision points across 35 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 9.6 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.5 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora, Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward IL 31, IL 56 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto IL 31; IL 56 / South Lincolnway Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto West State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Between Cicero, IL and North Aurora, IL, road signs point toward Indiana and 22Nd Street (Cermak Road).
Indiana
22Nd Street (Cermak Road)
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway | 23.9 mi | 29m |
| Eisenhower Expressway | 7.1 mi | 9m |
| South Laramie Avenue | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| South Lincolnway Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| West Flournoy Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| West State Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Cicero, IL and North Aurora, IL.
Start on South Laramie Avenue
Turn left onto West Flournoy Street
Continue on this road
Merge onto I 290; IL 110
Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110
Take the exit
Turn left onto IL 31; IL 56
Turn left onto West State Street
Arrive at destination
Because this is a short 47-minute journey, you have the advantage of total departure flexibility, though avoiding peak traffic hours on the major expressways is always a wise move. You do not need to worry about complex fueling logistics since the trip requires only $5 in gas, but it is best to fill your tank before leaving Cicero to ensure a seamless drive. Given that there are no required stops on this 35-mile route, you can easily complete the entire trip in one go without needing to plan for rest breaks. My top tip for this specific drive is to keep a close watch on your GPS during the initial turn-heavy local portion to avoid missing any exits while navigating the transition to the Eisenhower Expressway.
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.
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 35 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.5 miles or 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Aurora, 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 35 miles and 47m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.5 mi from Cicero, IL · 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 17.5 miles from Cicero, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into North Aurora, 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 North Aurora, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$5.32 one way
$10.63 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $5.86 | $11.72 |
| premium | $4.80 | $6.61 | $13.21 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.78 | $15.55 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.43
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
$5
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.5 | 0 | $3.68 | $1.68 |
| Efficient EV | 8.8 | 0 | $3.06 | $1.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14 | 0 | $4.90 | $2.24 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Cicero on Sunday
Local time
5:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in North Aurora on Sunday
Local time
5:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Cicero, IL or browse trips ending in North Aurora, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.
Explore maps for Cicero, IL or North Aurora, IL on MapSof.net.