Origin
North Aurora, IL
Evening in North Aurora on Sunday
Local time
7:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
47m
Distance
34.6 mi
56 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North Aurora, IL
Kristen Nagy
If you are planning to travel from North Aurora to Cicero, you are looking at a 34.6-mile trip that typically takes about 47 minutes. This Midwest route is a straightforward journey that perfectly suits a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stops. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $5, it is an affordable way to cross the region. You will spend your time navigating a mix of major tollways and local streets, making it a functional drive rather than a scenic getaway. Because the distance is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to hit the road whenever it best fits your plans.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
17.3 miles from North Aurora, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .
Expect a drive defined by a blend of high-speed commuting and technical local navigation. You will spend 21% of your journey on highways, including a significant 23.8-mile stretch on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. After transitioning off the tollway, the experience shifts as you merge onto the Eisenhower Expressway and eventually navigate the turn-heavy local roads of South Laramie Avenue. This progression means you start with a fast, uninterrupted cruise before moving into the more demanding, stop-and-go environment of the final leg. It is a practical drive that keeps you focused as the environment changes from open highway lanes to urban surface streets.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near IL 56.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 34.6 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 0.9 miles (IL 56): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp onto IL 56 toward I 88 Toll, IL 56 Toll West: Chicago, DeKalb-Iowa
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 88 East: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Central Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway | 23.8 mi | 29m |
| Eisenhower Expressway | 7 mi | 9m |
| South Laramie Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| South Lincolnway Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| West Roosevelt Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| South Central Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| IL 56 | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| West State Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between North Aurora, IL and Cicero, IL.
Start on West State Street
Turn right onto IL 31; IL 56
Take the ramp onto IL 56
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on this road
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110
Merge onto I 290; IL 110
Take the exit
Turn right onto South Central Avenue
Turn left onto West Roosevelt Road
Turn right onto South Laramie Avenue
Arrive at destination
Since this is a quick 47-minute trip, you have the advantage of being able to leave at a time that avoids the heaviest traffic patterns. While you do not need to plan for any formal stops along the 34.6-mile path, keep your fuel levels in mind before you depart to ensure your $5 budget is used efficiently. Pay close attention to your GPS as you transition from the expressway to the local streets of Cicero, as the turn-heavy nature of the final miles requires extra vigilance. Given the lack of required stops, use this flexibility to adjust your departure to steer clear of peak congestion on the Eisenhower Expressway. Staying alert during the final transition onto South Laramie Avenue will ensure you reach your destination smoothly.
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.
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 34.6 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.3 miles or 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cicero, IL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving North Aurora, 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 North Aurora, IL
This is one driving day of about 34.6 miles and 47m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.3 mi from North Aurora, IL · 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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.
A short stop after about 34.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 17.3 miles from North Aurora, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$5.26 one way
$10.51 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $5.79 | $11.59 |
| premium | $4.80 | $6.53 | $13.06 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.69 | $15.37 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.43
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
$5
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.63 | $1.66 |
| Efficient EV | 8.7 | 0 | $3.03 | $1.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.8 | 0 | $4.84 | $2.21 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in North Aurora on Sunday
Local time
7:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Cicero on Sunday
Local time
7:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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