Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 14m
Distance
50.2 mi
81 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Round Lake Beach, IL
Ryan Latimer
The drive from Round Lake Beach, IL to Cicero, IL covers 50.2 miles and takes about 1h 14m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Edens Expressway, North Skokie Highway, North Pulaski Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 13.7 miles on Edens Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.85 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
25.1 miles from Round Lake Beach, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 35m into the drive .
Expect a 1h 14m drive with frequent turns across 50.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR V63 / North Cedar Lake Road.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 50.2 miles you will encounter 15 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 (CR V63 / North Cedar Lake Road): Navigation decision point; at 13.8 miles (US 41 / North Skokie Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 40.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto CR V63 / North Cedar Lake Road
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 41 / North Skokie Highway
Lane positioning matters here
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
At end of road, turn right onto West Belden Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto IL 50 / North Cicero Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Edens Expressway | 13.7 mi | 17m |
| North Skokie Highway | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| North Pulaski Road | 5 mi | 9m |
| Buckley Road | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| Skokie Highway | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| Skokie Valley Road | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| Antioch Road | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| West Belvidere Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Round Lake Beach, IL and Cicero, IL.
Start on this road
Turn right onto CR V63
Turn left onto IL 134
Continue on IL 134
Turn left onto IL 120
Turn right onto IL 83
Continue on Antioch Road
Continue on IL 137
Continue on IL 137
Continue on IL 137
Turn right onto US 41
Continue on US 41
Continue on US 41
Continue on I 94; US 41
Continue on I 90; I 94
Take the exit
Continue on Kennedy Irving Park Road
Turn slight left onto IL 19
Turn right onto North Pulaski Road
At end of road, turn right onto West Belden Avenue
Turn left onto North Pulaski Road
Turn right onto West Madison Street
Turn left onto IL 50
Turn right onto West Roosevelt Road
Turn left onto South Laramie Avenue
Arrive at destination
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 11 miles or 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 25.1 miles or 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cicero, IL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Round Lake Beach, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Round Lake Beach, IL
This is one driving day of about 50.2 miles and 1h 14m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 25.1 mi from Round Lake Beach, IL · 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 25.1 miles from Round Lake Beach, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$7.85 one way
$15.70 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $8.62 | $17.23 |
| premium | $4.89 | $9.66 | $19.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.08 | $22.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.1 | 0 | $5.27 | $2.41 |
| Efficient EV | 12.6 | 0 | $4.39 | $2.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.1 | 0 | $7.03 | $3.21 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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
Night in Round Lake Beach on Wednesday
Local time
10:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Night in Cicero on Wednesday
Local time
10:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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