Origin
Willow Springs, IL
Late night in Willow Springs on Saturday
Local time
5:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Willow Springs, IL to Cicero, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
20m
Distance
12.6 mi
20 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 19m
★
6 AM
0h 20m
8 AM
0h 24m
10 AM
0h 22m
12 PM
0h 21m
3 PM
0h 22m
5 PM
0h 24m
8 PM
0h 19m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Willow Springs, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion through the Midwest, the 12.6-mile trek from Willow Springs to Cicero is a straightforward commute. You can expect to reach your destination in about 20 minutes, making this a perfect single-day trip that requires no overnight stay. Navigating this path involves utilizing the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, La Grange Road, and South Cicero Avenue. With a fuel cost estimate of just $2, it is a very budget-friendly run for local travelers. Since both towns reside in Illinois, the journey remains firmly within the same regional landscape. This drive is best suited for those looking for an efficient transit between these two communities rather than a leisurely road trip experience.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 20m. Total distance: 12.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (57%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This trip offers a mixed driving profile that balances high-speed transit with local surface streets. You will spend roughly 57 percent of your time on the highway, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 7.2 miles on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The transition from expressway speeds to the more localized flow of La Grange Road and South Cicero Avenue marks a distinct shift in the driving experience. Expect a functional, urban-style commute that moves you quickly between points. Because the total distance is relatively short, the road feels consistent and predictable throughout the entire 20-minute duration.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 7.2 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
630 ft
594 ft
Total Climb
53 ft
Total Descent
70 ft
Highest Point
630 ft
~2.7 mi in
Elevation Range
36 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IL 171 / Archer Avenue.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 12.6 miles you will encounter 8 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 (IL 171 / Archer Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles (I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
IL 171 / Archer Avenue
Turn right onto IL 171 / Archer Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
2.2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward I 55 North: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
5
2.5 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge onto I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
9.7 mi into trip
|
~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
11.4 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
West 31st Street
Turn left onto West 31st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Adlai Stevenson Expressway | 7.2 mi | 9m |
| La Grange Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| South Cicero Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| South Laramie Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West 31st Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Archer Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Hilton Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
— 7.2 mi, about 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Willow Springs, IL and Cicero, IL.
1
Start on Hilton Street
63 ft
·
4 sec
·
Hilton Street
2
Turn right onto IL 171
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
Archer Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 12 North, US 20 North, US 45 North: La Grange Road
4
Merge onto US 12; US 20; US 45
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
La Grange Road
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 55
7.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 286
Toward IL 50: Cicero Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn left onto IL 50
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Cicero Avenue
9
Turn left onto West 31st Street
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
West 31st Street
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto South Laramie Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Laramie Avenue
11
Arrive at destination
South Laramie Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.87 one way
$3.74 round trip
$3.77/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $2.11 | $4.22 |
| premium | $4.65 | $2.31 | $4.62 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $2.63 | $5.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$2
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.4 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.8 | 0 | $1.32 | $0.60 |
| Efficient EV | 3.2 | 0 | $1.10 | $0.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5 | 0 | $1.76 | $0.81 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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 Saturday
Local time
5:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 15 mph
78% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 9:43PM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 9:43PM CDT until April 19 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
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
8 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
20m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Willow Springs, IL to Cicero, IL covers 12.6 miles and takes about 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Adlai Stevenson Expressway, La Grange Road, South Cicero Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.3 miles from Willow Springs, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.87 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 12.6 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IL 171 / Archer Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles (I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Willow Springs, IL to Cicero, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 594 ft to 630 ft elevation with about 53 ft of total climbing.
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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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