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Trip from New Baden, IL to Cicero, IL

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

5h 31m

Distance

288.3 mi

464 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 19m ★
6 AM
5h 32m
8 AM
5h 59m
10 AM
5h 41m
12 PM
5h 39m
3 PM
5h 43m
5 PM
5h 57m
8 PM
5h 24m

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

village in Illinois, United States of America

New Baden, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from New Baden, IL to Cicero, IL covers 288.3 miles and takes about 5h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 55, IL 4, I 64 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 252.9 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $45.07 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

144.1 miles from New Baden, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 47m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This is a 5h 31m highway drive covering 288.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and IL 4. The longest continuous stretch is about 252.9 miles on I 55.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 252.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and IL 4. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.1 miles in.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 288.3 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 6.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 125.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 155.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

5
6.1 mi into trip | ~7m in

Keep slight right at fork toward IL 4

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward IL 4
7
125.7 mi into trip | ~2h 27m in | I 55

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
155.1 mi into trip | ~2h 59m in | I 55

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7
285.4 mi into trip | ~5h 26m in

Take the exit toward IL 50: Cicero Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 286 Toward IL 50: Cicero Avenue
6
287.1 mi into trip | ~5h 29m in | West 31st Street

Turn left onto West 31st Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

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 New Baden, IL to Cicero, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.

Peoria

155.1 mi in | ~2h 59m | via I 55

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 252.9 mi 4h 39m
IL 4 26 mi 38m
I 64 4 mi 4m
West Hanover Street 1.4 mi 2m
South Cicero Avenue 1.4 mi 2m
South Laramie Avenue 0.6 mi 1m
West 31st Street 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 252.9 mi, about 4h 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between New Baden, IL and Cicero, IL.

1

Start on IL 161

1.4 mi · 2 min · West Hanover Street
2

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec
3

Merge onto I 64

4.0 mi · 4 min · I 64
4

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 32 sec
Toward IL 4
5

Keep slight right at fork

181 ft · 3 sec
Toward IL 4
6

Turn straight onto IL 4

26 mi · 38 min · IL 4
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 44 sec
8

Merge onto I 55

93 mi · 1 hr 40 min · I 55
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

29 mi · 31 min · I 55
Toward I 55 North: Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

130 mi · 2 hr 27 min · I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 51 sec
Exit 286 Toward IL 50: Cicero Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Turn left onto IL 50

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Cicero Avenue
13

Turn left onto West 31st Street

0.5 mi · 58 sec · West 31st Street
Use the left lane.
14

Turn right onto South Laramie Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Laramie Avenue
15

Arrive at destination

South Laramie Avenue

Trip Plan

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 144.1 miles from New Baden, IL, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 252.9 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 144.1 miles or 2h 47m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 31m

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 New Baden, 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 New Baden, IL

This is one driving day of about 288.3 miles and 5h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from New Baden, 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 I 55 for about 252.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 144.1 mi from New Baden, IL · 2h 47m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bloomington, IL

144 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.

Popular next leg

Bloomington, IL to Cicero, IL

128.1 mi · 2h 32m

Pacing Suggestions

Decatur, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bloomington, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 144.1 miles from New Baden, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 252.9 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.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$45.07 one way

$90.14 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 101 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $49.49 $98.98
premium $4.89 $55.48 $110.96
diesel $5.61 $63.65 $127.31

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$45

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 100.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 86.5 1 $30.27 $13.84
Efficient EV 72.1 0 $25.23 $11.53
EV Truck/SUV 115.3 1 $40.36 $18.45

Gas CO2

101 kg

EV CO2

34 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

New Baden, IL

Late night in New Baden on Wednesday

Local time

12:32 AM

CDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cicero, IL

Late night in Cicero on Wednesday

Local time

12:32 AM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

53°F

Bloomington, IL

144 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

11 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

5h 31m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from New Baden, IL to Cicero, IL covers 288.3 miles and takes about 5h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, IL 4, I 64. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 144.1 miles from New Baden, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.07 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 288.3 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 125.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 155.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from New Baden, IL to Cicero, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.

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