Origin
Island Lake, IL
Evening in Island Lake on Friday
Local time
5:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Island Lake, IL to Cicero, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 7m
Distance
47 mi
76 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 2m
★
6 AM
1h 8m
8 AM
1h 18m
10 AM
1h 11m
12 PM
1h 10m
3 PM
1h 12m
5 PM
1h 18m
8 PM
1h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Island Lake, IL
Lorenzo Manera
Trip Overview
This 47-mile drive from Island Lake to Cicero, Illinois, is an easy one-day trip, taking about 1 hour and 7 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing I-290, IL 53, and South Rand Road, this route keeps you on well-traveled roads for most of the journey. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $7, it's an economical option for a quick excursion. The drive is focused on efficient travel between two points within the Midwest region, making it a straightforward connection without significant deviations. You won't need an overnight stop, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 7m. Total distance: 47 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for this 47-mile trip, with 61% of the drive taking place on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 17.5 miles on I-290, offering a consistent pace. While much of the route is on the interstate, there are segments on IL 53 and South Rand Road that may introduce more local traffic and varied speed limits. This blend means you'll experience periods of faster travel interspersed with stretches that require more attention to your surroundings.
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.
I 290 is the longest continuous segment at about 17.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 290 and IL 53. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 47 miles you will encounter 12 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 2.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 15.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 20 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.5 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
15.3 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Take the ramp toward IL 53 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward IL 53 South
8
20 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
IL 53
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53 toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
7
27 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
I 290
Keep slight right at fork onto I 290 toward I 290 East: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 290 East: Chicago
7
44.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m 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 |
|---|---|---|
| I 290 | 17.5 mi | 23m |
| IL 53 | 11.3 mi | 14m |
| South Rand Road | 10.1 mi | 13m |
| North Rand Road | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| East State Road | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| South Laramie Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| West Roosevelt Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| West Liberty Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 290
— 17.5 mi, about 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Island Lake, IL and Cicero, IL.
1
Start on Rose Avenue
205 ft
·
10 sec
·
Rose Avenue
2
Turn right onto Greenleaf Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Greenleaf Avenue
3
Turn left onto IL 176
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
East State Road
4
Continue on IL 176
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West Liberty Street
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto US 12; IL 59
10 mi
·
13 min
·
South Rand Road
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on US 12
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
North Rand Road
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward IL 53 South
Use the right lane.
9
Merge onto IL 53
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
7.0 mi
·
9 min
·
IL 53
Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 290
18 mi
·
23 min
·
I 290
Toward I 290 East: Chicago
Use the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 23B
Toward Central Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn right onto South Central Avenue
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
South Central Avenue
14
Turn left onto West Roosevelt Road
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
West Roosevelt Road
15
Turn right onto South Laramie Avenue
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Laramie Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
South Laramie Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 23.5 mi from Island Lake, IL · 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 23.5 miles from Island Lake, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.35 one way
$14.70 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $8.07 | $16.14 |
| premium | $4.89 | $9.04 | $18.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.38 | $20.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.1 | 0 | $4.94 | $2.26 |
| Efficient EV | 11.8 | 0 | $4.11 | $1.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.58 | $3.01 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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
Evening in Cicero on Friday
Local time
5:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
18 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 7m 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 Island Lake, IL to Cicero, IL covers 47 miles and takes about 1h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 290, IL 53, South Rand 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 23.5 miles from Island Lake, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.35 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 47 miles you will encounter 12 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 2.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 15.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 20 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Island Lake, IL to Cicero, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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.
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