Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
3h 22m
Distance
154.6 mi
249 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Blackhawk, IL
Derek Keats
The drive from Cicero, IL to Blackhawk, IL covers 154.6 miles and takes about 3h 22m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, US 52, IL 26 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 86.2 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.17 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
77.3 miles from Cicero, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
The drive from Cicero, IL to Blackhawk, IL covers 154.6 miles and takes about 3h 22m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.5 miles in near I 290; IL 110 / Eisenhower Expressway.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 154.6 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 2.5 miles (I 290; IL 110 / Eisenhower Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Merge onto I 290; IL 110 / Eisenhower Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward I 88 Toll West, IL 47: DeKalb
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward IL 26: Dixon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cicero, IL and Blackhawk, IL, road signs point toward Indiana and 22Nd Street (Cermak Road).
Indiana
22Nd Street (Cermak Road)
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway | 86.2 mi | 1h 36m |
| US 52 | 48.2 mi | 1h 13m |
| IL 26 | 9.3 mi | 14m |
| Eisenhower Expressway | 7.1 mi | 9m |
| South Laramie Avenue | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| West Flournoy Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Army Depot Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Blackhawk Trail | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Cicero, IL and Blackhawk, 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
Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110
Take the exit
Turn right onto IL 26
Continue on US 52; IL 26
Continue on US 52; IL 64
Turn left onto Army Depot Road
Turn left onto Blackhawk Trail
Arrive at 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.
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 34 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.3 miles or 1h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Blackhawk, 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 154.6 miles and 3h 22m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 77.3 mi from Cicero, IL · 1h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 77.3 miles from Cicero, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.2 miles.
The final approach into Blackhawk, 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 Blackhawk, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$24.17 one way
$48.34 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.54 | $53.08 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.75 | $59.50 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.13 | $68.27 |
Estimated Tolls: $5.17
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
$24
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.4 | 0 | $16.23 | $7.42 |
| Efficient EV | 38.7 | 0 | $13.53 | $6.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.8 | 0 | $21.64 | $9.89 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Afternoon in Cicero on Wednesday
Local time
4:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Afternoon in Blackhawk on Wednesday
Local time
4:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
40°F
Flagg, IL
77 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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