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Trip from Highland Park, IL to Cicero, IL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

42m

Distance

28.1 mi

45 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$4

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 11 min
4 AM
0h 39m ★
6 AM
0h 43m
8 AM
0h 50m
10 AM
0h 45m
12 PM
0h 45m
3 PM
0h 46m
5 PM
0h 50m
8 PM
0h 41m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Lake County, Illinois, United States

Highland Park, IL

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Trip Overview

The drive from Highland Park, IL to Cicero, IL covers 28.1 miles and takes about 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Edens Expressway, North Pulaski Road, Skokie Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 13.7 miles on Edens Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $4.39 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

0 planned breaks

This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.

Midpoint

14.1 miles from Highland Park, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from Highland Park, IL to Cicero, IL covers 28.1 miles and takes about 42m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Edens Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 13.7 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

697 ft 588 ft

Total Climb

27 ft

Total Descent

120 ft

Highest Point

697 ft

Elevation Range

110 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 28.1 miles you will encounter 13 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 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles (US 41 / Skokie Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

6
1.1 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the ramp toward US 41 South: Skokie Valley Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 41 South: Skokie Valley Road
5
1.4 mi into trip | ~2m in | US 41 / Skokie Highway

Merge onto US 41 / Skokie Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
18.6 mi into trip | ~24m in

Take the exit toward IL 19: Irving Park Road, Keeler Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 44A Toward IL 19: Irving Park Road, Keeler Avenue
5
21.3 mi into trip | ~29m in | West Belden Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto West Belden Avenue

Navigation decision point

6
25.2 mi into trip | ~37m in | IL 50 / North Cicero Avenue

Turn left onto IL 50 / North Cicero Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Edens Expressway 13.7 mi 17m
North Pulaski Road 5 mi 9m
Skokie Highway 3.2 mi 3m
South Laramie Avenue 1.4 mi 2m
North Cicero Avenue 1 mi 1m
West Madison Street 1 mi 2m
Central Avenue 0.6 mi 1m
West Roosevelt Road 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Edens Expressway — 13.7 mi, about 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Highland Park, IL and Cicero, IL.

1

Start on Green Bay Road

0.2 mi · 33 sec · Green Bay Road
2

Turn left onto Central Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · Central Avenue
3

Continue on Deerfield Road

0.1 mi · 12 sec · Deerfield Road
4

Continue on Deerfield Road

0.2 mi · 18 sec · Deerfield Road
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward US 41 South: Skokie Valley Road Use the slight right lane.
6

Merge onto US 41

3.2 mi · 3 min · Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I 94; US 41

14 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 90; I 94

0.4 mi · 34 sec · Kennedy Expressway
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Exit 44A Toward IL 19: Irving Park Road, Keeler Avenue Use the slight right lane.
10

Continue on Kennedy Irving Park Road

389 ft · 16 sec · Kennedy Irving Park Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
11

Turn slight left onto IL 19

0.2 mi · 22 sec · West Irving Park Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
12

Turn right onto North Pulaski Road

2.1 mi · 4 min · North Pulaski Road
13

At end of road, turn right onto West Belden Avenue

170 ft · 10 sec · West Belden Avenue
14

Turn left onto North Pulaski Road

2.9 mi · 5 min · North Pulaski Road
15

Turn right onto West Madison Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · West Madison Street
16

Turn left onto IL 50

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Cicero Avenue
Use the left lane.
17

Turn right onto West Roosevelt Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Roosevelt Road
18

Turn left onto South Laramie Avenue

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Laramie Avenue
19

Arrive at destination

South Laramie Avenue

Trip Plan

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 14.1 miles from Highland Park, IL, or about 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.7 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 28 miles or 42m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 14.1 miles or 18m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 34m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cicero, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Have your navigation ready before leaving Highland Park, IL.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Highland Park, IL

This is one driving day of about 28.1 miles and 42m.

At 28.1 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on Edens Expressway for about 13.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 14.1 mi from Highland Park, IL · 18m into the drive

Pacing Suggestions

Berwyn, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Evanston, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 14.1 miles from Highland Park, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Cicero, IL

Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Cicero, IL if you are unfamiliar with the area.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$4.39 one way

$8.79 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 10 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $4.82 $9.65
premium $4.89 $5.41 $10.82
diesel $5.61 $6.20 $12.41

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$29–$54

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 9.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 8.4 0 $2.95 $1.35
Efficient EV 7 0 $2.46 $1.12
EV Truck/SUV 11.2 0 $3.93 $1.80

Gas CO2

10 kg

EV CO2

3 kg (70% 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 13, 2026

Origin

Highland Park, IL

Night in Highland Park on Wednesday

Local time

11:22 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SSW 15 mph 34% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 2:54PM EDT until April 14 at 4:46AM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:50AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Destination

Cicero, IL

Night in Cicero on Wednesday

Local time

11:22 PM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SSW 15 mph 34% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 2:54PM EDT until April 14 at 4:46AM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:50AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

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

2 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

42m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Highland Park, IL to Cicero, IL covers 28.1 miles and takes about 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Edens Expressway, North Pulaski Road, Skokie Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 14.1 miles from Highland Park, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.39 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 28.1 miles you will encounter 13 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: at 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles (US 41 / Skokie Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Highland Park, IL to Cicero, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 588 ft to 697 ft elevation with about 27 ft of total climbing.

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