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Trip from New Salem, IL to Cicero, IL

Data updated 2 hours ago

Drive Time

5h

Distance

266.2 mi

428 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 47m ★
6 AM
5h 0m
8 AM
5h 27m
10 AM
5h 10m
12 PM
5h 7m
3 PM
5h 11m
5 PM
5h 26m
8 PM
4h 52m

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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Downtown New Salem, IL, IL

New Salem, IL

Banx Photography

Trip Overview

The drive from New Salem, IL to Cicero, IL covers 266.2 miles and takes about 5h behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 55, I 72, Pittsfield Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 180.2 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.62 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

133.1 miles from New Salem, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This is a 5h highway drive covering 266.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and I 72. The longest continuous stretch is about 180.2 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 12 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 180.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 72. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Pittsfield Road.

Route Complexity 5/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 266.2 miles you will encounter 8 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 (Pittsfield Road): Navigation decision point; at 103.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

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

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Pittsfield Road

Turn left onto Pittsfield Road

Navigation decision point

7
103.6 mi into trip | ~1h 56m 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
132.9 mi into trip | ~2h 27m 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
263.3 mi into trip | ~4h 55m 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
265 mi into trip | ~4h 58m 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 Salem, IL to Cicero, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.

Peoria

132.9 mi in | ~2h 27m | via I 55

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 180.2 mi 3h 20m
I 72 79.9 mi 1h 26m
Pittsfield Road 2.9 mi 7m
South Cicero Avenue 1.4 mi 2m
South Laramie Avenue 0.6 mi 1m
West 31st Street 0.5 mi <1m
Griggsville Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 180.2 mi, about 3h 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Griggsville Street

75 ft · 7 sec · Griggsville Street
2

Turn left onto Pittsfield Road

2.9 mi · 7 min · Pittsfield Road
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec
4

Merge onto I 72; US 36

80 mi · 1 hr 26 min · I 72; US 36
5

Continue on I 55

20 mi · 21 min · I 55
6

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.
7

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.
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 51 sec
Exit 286 Toward IL 50: Cicero Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Turn left onto IL 50

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Cicero Avenue
10

Turn left onto West 31st Street

0.5 mi · 58 sec · West 31st Street
Use the left lane.
11

Turn right onto South Laramie Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Laramie Avenue
12

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 133.1 miles from New Salem, IL, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 180.2 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 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 133.1 miles or 2h 27m 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 4m

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 Salem, 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 Salem, IL

This is one driving day of about 266.2 miles and 5h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from New Salem, 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 180.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 133.1 mi from New Salem, IL · 2h 27m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bloomington, IL

133 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 133.1 miles from New Salem, 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 180.2 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

National Monument

In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...

3 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 73.4
View on nps.gov
Pullman National Historical Park

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...

13 mi from route ~32 min detour Free near mile 266.2
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$41.62 one way

$83.23 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 93 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $45.69 $91.39
premium $4.89 $51.23 $102.46
diesel $5.61 $58.77 $117.55

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$42

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$67–$92

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 93.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 79.9 0 $27.95 $12.78
Efficient EV 66.6 0 $23.29 $10.65
EV Truck/SUV 106.5 1 $37.27 $17.04

Gas CO2

93 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 2 hours ago

Origin

New Salem, IL

Afternoon in New Salem on Tuesday

Local time

4:25 PM

CDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cicero, IL

Afternoon in Cicero on Tuesday

Local time

4:25 PM

CDT

Current temp

82°F

Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms

SSW 15 mph 37% chance Live forecast

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 14 at 12:19PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 14 at 11:55AM CDT until April 20 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

53°F

Bloomington, IL

133 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

10 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

5h 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 Salem, IL to Cicero, IL covers 266.2 miles and takes about 5h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, I 72, Pittsfield 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 133.1 miles from New Salem, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $41.62 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 266.2 miles you will encounter 8 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 (Pittsfield Road): Navigation decision point; at 103.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from New Salem, IL to Cicero, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.

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