Origin
Fulton, IL
Late night in Fulton on Wednesday
Local time
5:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fulton, IL to Cicero, IL
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
2h 46m
Distance
136.9 mi
220 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 35m
★
6 AM
2h 46m
8 AM
3h 8m
10 AM
2h 54m
12 PM
2h 51m
3 PM
2h 55m
5 PM
3h 7m
8 PM
2h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fulton, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 136.9-mile drive from Fulton, IL to Cicero, IL is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 46 minutes. You'll navigate a mix of main roads including the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway and Lincoln Road. With a fuel cost estimated at $21, this route offers a straightforward journey through the Midwest. The profile suggests a turn-heavy local drive, so be prepared for frequent adjustments. This trip is well-suited for a day excursion, allowing plenty of time for your destination activities.
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
68.4 miles from Fulton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a drive that is predominantly local, characterized by a 'turn-heavy' profile, making up 95% of the journey. While there's a significant 97-mile stretch on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, the overall experience will involve more frequent navigation and changes in road type compared to a pure interstate cruise. This blend means you'll transition between faster highway segments and more intricate local roads, requiring your attention throughout the 2-hour and 46-minute travel time.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 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 97 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 10th Avenue.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 136.9 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (10th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 22.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 121.4 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
10th Avenue
Turn left onto 10th Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
22.4 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 88 East: Dixon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 88 East: Dixon
6
121.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
|
I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
127.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m in
|
I 290; IL 110 / Eisenhower Expressway
Merge onto I 290; IL 110 / Eisenhower Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
134.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 41m in
Take the exit toward Central Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 23B
Toward Central Avenue
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway | 97 mi | 1h 48m |
| Lincoln Road | 16.8 mi | 23m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 7.2 mi | 7m |
| Eisenhower Expressway | 7 mi | 9m |
| 14th Avenue | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| South Laramie Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| East Lincoln Way | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| West Lincolnway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
— 97 mi, about 1h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fulton, IL and Cicero, IL.
1
Start on 9th Street
20 ft
·
6 sec
·
9th Street
2
Turn left onto 10th Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
10th Avenue
3
Turn right onto IL 84
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Waller Road
4
Turn left onto IL 136
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
14th Avenue
5
Turn left onto US 30
7.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Lincoln Road
6
Continue on US 30; IL 78
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Lincoln Way
7
Continue on US 30; IL 78
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Lincolnway
8
Continue on US 30
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East Lincoln Way
9
Continue on US 30
9.0 mi
·
12 min
·
Lincoln Road
10
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
this road
11
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
this road
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 88 East: Dixon
13
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
7.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
14
Continue on I 88; IL 110
91 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110
6.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 290; IL 110
7.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Eisenhower Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 23B
Toward Central Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn right onto South Central Avenue
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
South Central Avenue
19
Turn left onto West Roosevelt Road
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
West Roosevelt Road
20
Turn right onto South Laramie Avenue
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Laramie Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
South Laramie Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 46-minute duration, departing in the morning will allow ample time at your destination in Cicero, IL. The estimated fuel cost of $21 for the 136.9-mile trip is quite manageable, so budget accordingly. While the longest stretch is 97 miles on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, keep an eye on your navigation system for the numerous turns indicated in the route's 'turn-heavy local drive' profile. Planning for one stop should be sufficient for this relatively short journey.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.4 miles from Fulton, IL, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97 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 80 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.4 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cicero, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fulton, 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 Fulton, IL
This is one driving day of about 136.9 miles and 2h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fulton, 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 Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for about 97 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 68.4 mi from Fulton, IL · 1h 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
68 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 68.4 miles from Fulton, 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 97 miles.
Arriving in Cicero, IL
The final approach into Cicero, 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 Cicero, 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
$21.40 one way
$42.81 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $23.50 | $47.00 |
| premium | $4.89 | $26.35 | $52.69 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.23 | $60.45 |
Estimated Tolls: $5.82
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(97 mi)
$5.82
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
$21
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.1 | 0 | $14.37 | $6.57 |
| Efficient EV | 34.2 | 0 | $11.98 | $5.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.8 | 0 | $19.17 | $8.76 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Cicero, IL
Late night in Cicero on Wednesday
Local time
5:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Aurora, IL
68 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
4 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
2h 46m 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 Fulton, IL to Cicero, IL covers 136.9 miles and takes about 2h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, Lincoln Road, Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 68.4 miles from Fulton, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.40 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 136.9 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (10th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 22.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 121.4 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Fulton, IL to Cicero, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Cicero, IL
More from Fulton, IL
More trips to Cicero, IL
Explore more options from Fulton, IL or browse trips ending in Cicero, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.
Explore maps for Fulton, IL or Cicero, IL on MapSof.net.