This route from South Jacksonville, IL, to Cicero, IL, covers 230.3 miles and is estimated to take about 4 hours and 20 minutes. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive that's perfectly suited for a single day trip, so no need to worry about overnight stays. You'll be spending 97% of your time on major interstates, making for an efficient journey. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $36. This drive stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent feel as you travel through Illinois.
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
115.2 miles from South Jacksonville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
180.2 mi
3h 20m
I 72
42.5 mi
46m
East Morton Avenue
2.5 mi
3m
South Cicero Avenue
1.4 mi
2m
South Main Street
1 mi
1m
Old Route 36
0.9 mi
1m
South Laramie Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
West 31st Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 180.2 mi, about 3h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Jacksonville, IL and Cicero, IL.
1
Start on East Vandalia Road
298 ft·17 sec·East Vandalia Road
2
Turn right onto IL 267
1.0 mi·1 min·South Main Street
3
Turn right onto I 72 Bus; IL 104
2.5 mi·3 min·East Morton Avenue
4
Continue on I 72 Business
0.9 mi·1 min·Old Route 36
5
Turn left onto I 72 Business
0.3 mi·39 sec·I 72 Business
6
Merge onto I 72; US 36
42 mi·46 min·I 72; US 36
7
Continue on I 55
20 mi·21 min·I 55
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
130 mi·2 hr 27 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·51 sec
Exit 286Toward IL 50: Cicero AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn left onto IL 50
1.4 mi·2 min·South Cicero Avenue
12
Turn left onto West 31st Street
0.5 mi·58 sec·West 31st Street
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto South Laramie Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·South Laramie Avenue
14
Arrive at destination
South Laramie Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 20-minute duration, starting your drive in the morning will allow you to reach Cicero with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a 97% highway share, you can easily cover the distance without extensive breaks. However, it's wise to plan for at least one fuel stop, especially considering the 180.2-mile longest stretch on I-55. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the halfway point of that long segment to ensure you don't need to deviate from the most direct path.
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 115.2 miles from South Jacksonville, IL, or about 2h 7m 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 51 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.2 miles or 2h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 31m
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 South Jacksonville, 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 South Jacksonville, IL
This is one driving day of about 230.3 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from South Jacksonville, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 229.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|IL 267 / South Main Street
Turn right onto IL 267 / South Main Street
Navigation decision point
7
67.7 mi into trip|~1h 16m 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
97.1 mi into trip|~1h 47m 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
227.5 mi into trip|~4h 14m 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
229.2 mi into trip|~4h 18m in|West 31st Street
Turn left onto West 31st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.00 one way
$72.01 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$39.53
$79.06
premium
$4.89
$44.32
$88.64
diesel
$5.61
$50.85
$101.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.1
0
$24.18
$11.05
Efficient EV
57.6
0
$20.15
$9.21
EV Truck/SUV
92.1
1
$32.24
$14.74
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
South Jacksonville, IL
Afternoon
in South Jacksonville on Saturday
Local time
2:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cicero, IL
Afternoon
in Cicero on Saturday
Local time
2:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Bloomington, IL
115 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 20m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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 230.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway experience, with 97% of the drive utilizing major interstates like I-55 and I-72. The bulk of your travel will be on I-55, including a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 180.2 miles. This means the road's personality is largely defined by efficient, high-speed travel. While the majority of the route is interstate, you will encounter some local road time, particularly on East Morton Avenue at the start of your journey, before merging onto the main highway system.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 180.2 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 72. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near IL 267 / South Main Street.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 230.3 miles you will encounter 9 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: at 0.1 miles (IL 267 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 67.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 97.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 South Jacksonville, IL to Cicero, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Peoria
97.1 mi in|~1h 47m|via I 55
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 20m. Total distance: 230.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 180.2 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (IL 267 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 67.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 97.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Cicero, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
