Origin
Rockford, IL
Late night in Rockford on Wednesday
Local time
5:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rockford, IL to Cicero, IL
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 47m
Distance
85.1 mi
137 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 40m
★
6 AM
1h 48m
8 AM
2h 4m
10 AM
1h 53m
12 PM
1h 52m
3 PM
1h 54m
5 PM
2h 3m
8 PM
1h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rockford, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Planning a trip from Rockford, IL to Cicero, IL? This 85.1-mile drive will take you approximately 1 hour and 47 minutes, making it a feasible day trip. You'll be navigating primarily via the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway and I-290, with a portion on West State Street. With a projected fuel cost of $13, this route stays within the Midwest region, offering a straightforward journey. Consider this drive for its directness, as it's designed for efficient travel between these two Illinois locations.
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
42.5 miles from Rockford, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This route presents a "turn-heavy local drive" profile, despite a significant portion of highway travel. While 27% of the drive is on highways, you'll experience a mix of faster-paced sections and more intricate local road navigation. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 49.5 miles on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, offering a period of consistent speed. Be prepared for frequent changes in road type and speed limits as you transition from tollways to surface streets.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 49.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 28.6 miles in near I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 85.1 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 28.6 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
28.6 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
58.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs
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 68A-B
Toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs
9
58.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 68A
Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West S...
7
65.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m 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
82.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m 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
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 Rockford, IL to Cicero, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Suburbs along the way.
Suburbs
58.4 mi in
|
~1h 9m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Jane Addams Memorial Tollway | 49.5 mi | 53m |
| I 290 | 23.2 mi | 30m |
| West State Street | 3.4 mi | 6m |
| Charles Street | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| South Laramie Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| South Alpine Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| Harrison Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Roosevelt Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
— 49.5 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockford, IL and Cicero, IL.
1
Start on West State Street
3.4 mi
·
6 min
·
West State Street
2
Turn right onto South Alpine Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
South Alpine Road
3
Continue on South Alpine Road
359 ft
·
14 sec
·
South Alpine Road
4
Turn right
87 ft
·
3 sec
5
Turn right onto Charles Street
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Charles Street
6
Turn right onto South Mall Drive
388 ft
·
19 sec
·
South Mall Drive
7
Turn left onto Harrison Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Harrison Avenue
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
9
Merge onto I 39; US 51
0.2 mi
·
11 sec
·
I 39; US 51
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 East: Chicago
11
Merge onto I 90
20 mi
·
21 min
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
30 mi
·
31 min
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 68A-B
Toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 68A
Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs
Use the slight right lane.
15
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
this road
Exit 68A
Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs
16
Merge onto I 290; IL 53
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
I 290; IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 290
18 mi
·
23 min
·
I 290
Toward I 290 East: Chicago
Use the slight right lane.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 23B
Toward Central Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto South Central Avenue
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
South Central Avenue
20
Turn left onto West Roosevelt Road
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
West Roosevelt Road
21
Turn right onto South Laramie Avenue
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Laramie Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
South Laramie Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of just under two hours, this trip from Rockford to Cicero offers excellent flexibility. You can easily depart at your convenience, though avoiding peak rush hour traffic on I-290 is advisable. There are no suggested stops, but feel free to pull over as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, with an estimated cost of $13 for the 85.1 miles. A practical tip for this route: be mindful of the transition from the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway to I-290, as this is where the road character shifts significantly.
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 42.5 miles from Rockford, IL, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.5 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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.5 miles or 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 29m
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 Rockford, 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 Rockford, IL
This is one driving day of about 85.1 miles and 1h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Rockford, 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 Jane Addams Memorial Tollway for about 49.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.5 mi from Rockford, IL · 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.5 miles from Rockford, 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
$13.30 one way
$26.61 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $14.61 | $29.22 |
| premium | $4.89 | $16.38 | $32.75 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.79 | $37.58 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.46
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(49.5 mi)
$3.46
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
$13
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.5 | 0 | $8.94 | $4.08 |
| Efficient EV | 21.3 | 0 | $7.45 | $3.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34 | 0 | $11.91 | $5.45 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Cicero, IL
Late night in Cicero on Wednesday
Local time
5:11 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
4 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
1h 47m 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 Rockford, IL to Cicero, IL covers 85.1 miles and takes about 1h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, I 290, West State Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42.5 miles from Rockford, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.30 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 16 significant decision points across 85.1 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 28.6 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Rockford, IL to Cicero, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Suburbs along the way.
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