Origin
Riverwoods, IL
Late night in Riverwoods on Monday
Local time
2:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Riverwoods, IL to Cicero, IL
Drive Time
45m
Distance
30.6 mi
49 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 42m
★
6 AM
0h 46m
8 AM
0h 53m
10 AM
0h 48m
12 PM
0h 47m
3 PM
0h 49m
5 PM
0h 53m
8 PM
0h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
Traveling from Riverwoods to Cicero covers a manageable 30.6-mile distance that typically takes about 45 minutes to complete. Because this is a short trip within the Midwest, you can easily handle the entire journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Your travel budget remains minimal, with estimated fuel costs totaling around $5 for the one-way trek. You will navigate a mix of major thoroughfares, including the Edens Expressway, the Edens Spur, and North Pulaski Road. This route is ideal for those seeking a straightforward transit between the northern suburbs and the western suburbs of the Chicago area. It functions best as a direct commute or a quick day trip, offering plenty of flexibility for your schedule.
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
15.3 miles from Riverwoods, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 19m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a varied experience as you transition between high-speed transit and local navigation. About 46% of your drive consists of highway travel, providing a steady pace during the initial segments. You will spend your longest uninterrupted stretch on the Edens Expressway, which accounts for 13.7 miles of the total distance. As you move away from the expressway and transition toward North Pulaski Road, the driving environment shifts from a wide-open interstate feel to more localized traffic patterns. This mixed-drive profile requires you to stay alert as the road character evolves from fast-moving lanes to more traditional surface streets.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 18 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.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in near I 94 / Edens Spur.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 30.6 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 2.2 miles (I 94 / Edens Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.8 miles (North Pulaski Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
2.2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 94 / Edens Spur
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Edens Spur toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago
8
21.1 mi into trip
|
~26m 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
6
23.8 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
North Pulaski Road
Turn left onto North Pulaski Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
26.7 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
West Madison Street
Turn right onto West Madison Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
27.7 mi into trip
|
~40m 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 |
| Edens Spur | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| South Laramie Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Deerfield Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| North Cicero Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
| West Madison Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 0.8 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Edens Expressway
— 13.7 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverwoods, IL and Cicero, IL.
1
Start on Portwine Road
6 ft
·
7 sec
·
Portwine Road
2
Turn left onto Deerfield Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Deerfield Road
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago
4
Merge onto I 94
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the none lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Edens Spur
Toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago
Use the slight left lane.
6
Continue on I 94; US 41
14 mi
·
17 min
·
Edens Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 90; I 94
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Kennedy Expressway
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 44A
Toward IL 19: Irving Park Road, Keeler Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
9
Continue on Kennedy Irving Park Road
389 ft
·
16 sec
·
Kennedy Irving Park Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
10
Turn slight left onto IL 19
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
West Irving Park Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Turn right onto North Pulaski Road
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
North Pulaski Road
Use the none lane.
12
At end of road, turn right onto West Belden Avenue
170 ft
·
10 sec
·
West Belden Avenue
13
Turn left onto North Pulaski Road
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
North Pulaski Road
Use the none lane.
14
Turn right onto West Madison Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Madison Street
Use the none lane.
15
Turn left onto IL 50
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Cicero Avenue
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto West Roosevelt Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Roosevelt Road
Use the none lane.
17
Turn left onto South Laramie Avenue
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Laramie Avenue
Use the none lane.
18
Arrive at destination
South Laramie Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 45-minute trip, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning around peak traffic hours is always a smart move in this region. You won't need to worry about scheduled stops given the short duration, allowing you to drive straight through to your destination. Keep in mind that the transition from the Edens Expressway to local roads like North Pulaski Road can be abrupt, so stay aware of changing speed limits. Budgeting $5 for fuel should be more than sufficient for this 30.6-mile run. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by planning your arrival time precisely to meet your specific goals in Cicero.
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 15.3 miles from Riverwoods, IL, or about 19m 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 30.6 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 15.3 miles or 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 36m
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 Riverwoods, 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 Riverwoods, IL
This is one driving day of about 30.6 miles and 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Riverwoods, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
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 15.3 mi from Riverwoods, IL · 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
15 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 30.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 15.3 miles from Riverwoods, 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.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.65 one way
$9.30 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $5.12 | $10.25 |
| premium | $4.80 | $5.78 | $11.55 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.80 | $13.60 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.05
Tri-state Tollway
(0.8 mi)
$0.05
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
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.2 | 0 | $3.21 | $1.47 |
| Efficient EV | 7.7 | 0 | $2.68 | $1.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.2 | 0 | $4.28 | $1.96 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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
Late night in Cicero on Monday
Local time
2:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
26 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
45m 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 Riverwoods, IL to Cicero, IL covers 30.6 miles and takes about 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Edens Expressway, North Pulaski Road, Edens Spur. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.3 miles from Riverwoods, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.65 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 is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 30.6 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles (I 94 / Edens Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.8 miles (North Pulaski Road): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Riverwoods, IL to Cicero, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Cicero, IL
More from Riverwoods, IL
More trips to Cicero, IL
Explore more options from Riverwoods, IL or browse trips ending in Cicero, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.
Explore maps for Riverwoods, IL or Cicero, IL on MapSof.net.