How far is Cicero, IL from Lake Forest, IL?

The driving distance from Cicero, IL to Lake Forest, IL is about 33.7 miles (54.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 28.9 miles (46.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
33.75 mi
00h 50m
Flight
28.88 mi
46.48 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cicero.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
28.88 mi
Kilometers
46.48 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
33.75 mi
Kilometers
54.32 km
Drive Time
00h 50m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 00h 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lake Forest
Tue, Apr 14, 5:31 PM CDT
Return by in Cicero
Tue, Apr 14, 6:22 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cicero
2026-04-14T16:40
Arrive Lake Forest
Tue, Apr 14, 5:31 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:51 AM to 10:51 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:48 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cicero
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Morton Grove
IL

Village in United States of America

From Cicero
16.9 mi
00h 25m
To Lake Forest
16.9 mi
00h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph SW
Destination
79°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Cicero and Lake Forest.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cicero and Lake Forest.

  1. 1

    Start on South Laramie Avenue

    1.4 mi · 3 min · South Laramie Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West Roosevelt Road

    2662 ft · 1 min · West Roosevelt Road

  3. 3

    Turn left onto South Cicero Avenue

    1 mi · 2 min · South Cicero Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto West Madison Street

    1 mi · 2 min · West Madison Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto South Pulaski Road

    2.9 mi · 6 min · South Pulaski Road

  6. 6

    At the end of the road, turn right onto West Belden Avenue

    52 m · 10 sec · West Belden Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn left onto North Pulaski Road

    2.1 mi · 4 min · North Pulaski Road

  8. 8

    Turn left onto West Irving Park Road

    1004 ft · 21 sec · West Irving Park Road

  9. 9

    Turn slight right onto Kennedy Irving Park Road

    119 m · 16 sec · Kennedy Irving Park Road

  10. 10

    Turn right onto North Keeler Avenue

    120 m · 20 sec · North Keeler Avenue

  11. 11

    Take the ramp left toward I 90 West, I 94 West

    806 ft · 22 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Kennedy Expressway

    2640 ft · 41 sec · Kennedy Expressway

  13. 13

    Continue on Edens Expressway

    13.5 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway

    3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway

  15. 15

    Continue on Skokie Valley Road

    3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road

  16. 16

    Turn right onto West Westleigh Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · West Westleigh Road

  17. 17

    Turn left onto South Western Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · South Western Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Illinois Road

    73 m · 10 sec · Illinois Road

  19. 19

    Turn left onto North McKinley Road

    2911 ft · 1 min · North McKinley Road

  20. 20

    Turn slight right onto East Woodland Road

    62 m · 7 sec · East Woodland Road

  21. 21

    Turn slight left onto Griffith Road

    22 m · 3 sec · Griffith Road

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Griffith Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Cicero and Lake Forest.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
22 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
65.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Edens Expressway
13.5 mi · 40%
Skokie Highway
3.84 mi · 11%
Skokie Valley Road
3.38 mi · 10%
South Pulaski Road
2.9 mi · 9%
North Pulaski Road
2.14 mi · 6%
South Laramie Avenue
1.39 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Edens Expressway

Continue on Edens Expressway

13.5 mi · 00h 17m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
00h 50m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.8 mi
28.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Morton Grove
00h 25m from Cicero
Leave By
4:48 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Cicero and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake Forest.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cicero to Lake Forest?

The road trip is about 33.7 miles (54.3 km) and usually takes 00h 50m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Morton Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.9 miles from Cicero and 16.9 miles from Lake Forest.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 28.9 miles (46.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:48 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.49 one way or $8.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Cicero and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake Forest.

Stop Ideas Near Morton Grove

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Morton Grove, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Morton Grove.

RAIL

Glenview station

4 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

Chicago Union Station

22 mi away
225 South Canal Street
RAIL

La Grange Road

26 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Summit

28 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cicero and Lake Forest. Straight-line distance: 28.88 mi (46.48 km).

Cicero

#1 Cicero

Town in Illinois

Population79,727
Coordinates41.8455900, -87.7539400
Altitude184
CountryUnited States
Lake Forest

#2 Lake Forest

City in Lake County, Illinois, United States

Population19,379
Coordinates42.2586300, -87.8406300
Altitude210
CountryUnited States
Start: Cicero (-87.75394, 41.84559)
End: Lake Forest (-87.84063, 42.25863)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 54 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 07m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 50m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 40m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 33m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 25m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.19 gal
4.51 L · about $4.49
Round trip
$8.97
2.38 gal · 9.02 L
Estimated CO2
10.6 kg one way
Round trip: 21.2 kg / 47 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $4.49 $8.97
Mid-grade $4.25 $5.06 $10.12
Premium $4.65 $5.54 $11.08
Diesel $5.30 $6.31 $12.62

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Illinois · Apr 14, 2026

There is no time difference between Cicero and Lake Forest. The current time is 16:40:11.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.