This 144.7-mile drive from Cicero, IL, to Germantown Hills, IL, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 3 hours and 5 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stays. With a projected fuel cost of $23, it's an economical option for exploring more of Illinois. The route primarily utilizes the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, offering a direct path through the Midwest region. This journey is designed for efficiency, making it ideal if you're looking for a practical way to get from point A to point B within the state.
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
72.3 miles from Cicero, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 25m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 5m. Total distance: 144.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Expect a drive that is heavily focused on highway travel, with 74% of the route on faster roads. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, including a continuous stretch of 98.6 miles. As you progress, the route transitions to County Road 1000 North and East Gridley Road, offering a change of pace from the expressway. While largely a highway-focused experience, these latter segments provide a slightly different feel as you approach your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 98.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and County Road 1000 North. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near West 31st Street.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Cicero, IL to Germantown Hills, IL is easy. At 3h 5m with 74% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 (South Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|West 31st Street
Turn right onto West 31st Street
Navigation decision point
4
1.1 mi into trip|~2m in|South Central Avenue
Turn left onto South Central Avenue
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.
5
101.9 mi into trip|~1h 59m in
Take the exit toward US 24: Chenoa, El Paso
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 24: Chenoa, El Paso
5
140.7 mi into trip|~2h 58m in|Tazewood Road
At end of road, turn left onto Tazewood Road
Navigation decision point
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 Germantown Hills, IL, road signs begin pointing toward El Paso along the way.
Step-by-step road directions between Cicero, IL and Germantown Hills, 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
99 mi·1 hr 53 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·57 sec
Toward US 24: Chenoa, El Paso
7
At end of road, turn left onto US 24
6.7 mi·9 min·East 3100 North Road
8
Continue on US 24
9.2 mi·14 min·East Gridley Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on US 24
12 mi·17 min·County Road 1000 North
10
Continue on US 24
2.0 mi·3 min·East Center Street
11
Continue on US 24
6.9 mi·10 min·US Highway 24
12
Turn right onto Nofsinger Road
1.8 mi·3 min·Nofsinger Road
13
At end of road, turn left onto Tazewood Road
73 ft·4 sec·Tazewood Road
14
Turn right onto Nofsinger Road
2.0 mi·3 min·Nofsinger Road
15
Turn left onto IL 116
1.9 mi·3 min·State Route 116
16
Arrive at destination
IL 116
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, you can comfortably start your journey in Cicero anytime to arrive in Germantown Hills the same day. With only one recommended stop and a manageable distance, flexibility is on your side. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway is nearly 100 miles. Planning your departure to account for potential traffic exiting the Chicago metropolitan area will help ensure a smoother arrival. The estimated fuel cost of $23 makes this a budget-friendly trip to plan around.
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 72.3 miles from Cicero, IL, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.6 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 32 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.3 miles or 1h 25m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Germantown Hills, 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 144.7 miles and 3h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 98.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 72.3 mi from Cicero, IL
· 1h 25m into the drive
The midpoint is around 72.3 miles from Cicero, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.6 miles.
Arriving in Germantown Hills, IL
The final approach into Germantown Hills, 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 Germantown Hills, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.62 one way
$45.24 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$24.84
$49.68
premium
$4.89
$27.85
$55.69
diesel
$5.61
$31.95
$63.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.4
0
$15.19
$6.95
Efficient EV
36.2
0
$12.66
$5.79
EV Truck/SUV
57.9
0
$20.26
$9.26
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Cicero, IL
Afternoon
in Cicero on Friday
Local time
12:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Germantown Hills, IL
Afternoon
in Germantown Hills on Friday
Local time
12:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°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
17 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
3h 5m 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 Germantown Hills, IL covers 144.7 miles and takes about 3h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Adlai Stevenson Expressway, County Road 1000 North, East Gridley Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 72.3 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 $22.62 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Cicero, IL to Germantown Hills, IL is easy. At 3h 5m with 74% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (West 31st Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (South Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Cicero, IL to Germantown Hills, IL, road signs begin pointing toward El Paso along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
