Trip from Cicero, IL to North Aurora, IL

Drive 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

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 11 min
4 AM
0h 44m ★
6 AM
0h 48m
8 AM
0h 55m
10 AM
0h 50m
12 PM
0h 50m
3 PM
0h 51m
5 PM
0h 55m
8 PM
0h 45m

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

Downtown North Aurora, IL, IL

North Aurora, IL

Kristen Nagy

Trip Overview

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 .

Drive Character

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.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 23.9 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

772 ft 604 ft

Total Climb

255 ft

Total Descent

179 ft

Highest Point

772 ft

~19 mi in

Elevation Range

168 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

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.

Route Complexity 7/10

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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

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

9
9.6 mi into trip | ~14m in | I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

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

Use the slight left lane. Exit 15A Toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora...
8
11.5 mi into trip | ~17m in | I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 138 Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
8
33.5 mi into trip | ~44m in

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

Use the right lane. Exit 117 Toward IL 31, IL 56 East
6
34.2 mi into trip | ~45m in | IL 31; IL 56 / South Lincolnway Street

Turn left onto IL 31; IL 56 / South Lincolnway Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
6
35 mi into trip | ~47m in | West State Street

Turn left onto West State Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Towns Along This Route

Between Cicero, IL and North Aurora, IL, road signs point toward Indiana and 22Nd Street (Cermak Road).

Indiana

9.6 mi in | ~14m | via I 88; IL 110

22Nd Street (Cermak Road)

11.5 mi in | ~17m | via I 88; IL 110

Main Roads

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
Longest stretch: Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway — 23.9 mi, about 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on South Laramie Avenue

1.8 mi · 3 min · South Laramie Avenue
Use the none lane.
2

Turn left onto West Flournoy Street

0.5 mi · 55 sec · West Flournoy Street
3

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 25 sec · this road
Toward I 290 West Use the left / straight / right lanes.
4

Merge onto I 290; IL 110

7.1 mi · 9 min · Eisenhower Expressway
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
5

Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110

1.9 mi · 2 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 15A Toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora, Indiana Use the slight left lane.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110

22 mi · 26 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 138 Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road) Use the slight right lane.
7

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 117 Toward IL 31, IL 56 East Use the right lane.
8

Turn left onto IL 31; IL 56

0.9 mi · 2 min · South Lincolnway Street
Use the none lane.
9

Turn left onto West State Street

68 ft · 3 sec · West State Street
Use the left lane.
10

Arrive at destination

West State Street

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 17.5 miles from Cicero, IL, or about 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.9 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 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.

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 35 miles and 47m.

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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for about 23.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 17.5 mi from Cicero, IL · 24m into the drive

Downtown Berwyn, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Berwyn, IL

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Aurora, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wheaton, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 17.5 miles from Cicero, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in North Aurora, IL

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$5.32 one way

$10.63 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 12 kg CO2
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

Reagan Memorial Tollway (23.9 mi) $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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Cicero, IL

Evening in Cicero on Sunday

Local time

5:34 PM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

North Aurora, IL

Evening in North Aurora on Sunday

Local time

5:34 PM

CDT

Current temp

53°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

6 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

47m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Cicero, IL to North Aurora, IL covers 35 miles and takes about 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, Eisenhower Expressway, South Laramie Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.5 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 $5.32 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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.
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.
Between Cicero, IL and North Aurora, IL, road signs point toward Indiana and 22Nd Street (Cermak Road).
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 604 ft to 772 ft elevation with about 255 ft of total climbing.

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Return Trip

North Aurora, IL to Cicero, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

34.6 mi 47m

Explore more options from Cicero, IL or browse trips ending in North Aurora, IL.

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