Cicero, IL to South Jacksonville, IL is 229.5 miles and takes about 4h 20m via I-55, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays within the Midwest, connecting two Illinois locations. With a highway share of 97%, you'll spend most of your time on interstates, making for a straightforward trip. The recommended one-day duration means you can easily complete this journey without needing an overnight stay, and the estimated fuel cost is quite manageable for this distance.
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
114.8 miles from Cicero, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 12m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Cicero, IL and South Jacksonville, IL.
1
Start on South Laramie Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·South Laramie Avenue
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
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 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, SpringfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36
29 mi·30 min·I 72; US 36
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
8
Take the exit onto I 72 Business
0.4 mi·48 sec·I 72 Business
Toward I 72 Business West: Jacksonville
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 72 Business
431 ft·11 sec·I 72 Business
Toward I 72 Business West: Jacksonville
10
Turn right onto I 72 Business
0.6 mi·56 sec·Old Route 36
11
Continue on I 72 Business
2.5 mi·3 min·East Morton Avenue
12
Turn left onto IL 267
1.0 mi·1 min·South Main Street
13
Turn left onto East Vandalia Road
298 ft·13 sec·East Vandalia Road
14
Arrive at destination
East Vandalia Road
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 20m estimated drive time, starting your trip in Cicero, IL, in the morning is ideal for arriving in South Jacksonville, IL, with plenty of daylight remaining. While the longest stretch without a major exit is 127.8 miles, it's wise to keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially since the estimated cost is only $36. Plan for one stop to break up the drive and refuel if needed. Since this is a recommended one-day trip, you have flexibility; however, aim to depart early to maximize your time at your destination.
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 114.8 miles from Cicero, IL, or about 2h 12m 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 50 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.8 miles or 2h 12m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Jacksonville, 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 229.5 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 225.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|West 31st Street
Turn right onto West 31st Street
Navigation decision point
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 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 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
225.3 mi into trip|~4h 13m in|I 72 Business
Keep slight left at fork onto I 72 Business toward I 72 Business West: Jacksonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 72 Business West: Jacksonville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.88 one way
$71.76 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$39.39
$78.79
premium
$4.89
$44.17
$88.33
diesel
$5.61
$50.67
$101.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.9
0
$24.10
$11.02
Efficient EV
57.4
0
$20.08
$9.18
EV Truck/SUV
91.8
1
$32.13
$14.69
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Cicero, IL
Afternoon
in Cicero on Saturday
Local time
3:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
South Jacksonville, IL
Afternoon
in South Jacksonville on Saturday
Local time
3:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Bloomington, IL
115 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 20m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a primarily highway-focused experience for this 229.5-mile journey, with 97% of your travel on major interstates like I-55 and I-72. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 127.8 miles, giving you ample opportunity to settle into a consistent driving pace. This profile suggests a route that prioritizes efficiency over varied scenery. You'll be on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway and then I-55 for a significant portion, which generally means smooth, high-speed travel across the Illinois landscape.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 127.8 mi on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
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 0.6 miles in near West 31st Street.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 229.5 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 0.6 miles (West 31st Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Cicero, IL to South Jacksonville, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
Springfield
131.2 mi in|~2h 31m|via I 55
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 20m. Total distance: 229.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 127.8 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (West 31st Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at South Jacksonville, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
