How far is Cicero, IL from Waterloo, IL?
The driving distance from Cicero, IL to Waterloo, IL is about 308.4 miles (496.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 273.5 miles (440.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 39m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 05h 49m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Unincorporated community in Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cicero and Waterloo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cicero and Waterloo.
-
1
Start on South Laramie Avenue
1 km · 1 min · South Laramie Avenue
-
2
Turn right onto West 31st Street
2687 ft · 1 min · West 31st Street
-
3
Turn left onto South Central Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Central Avenue
-
4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 South
2653 ft · 1 min
-
5
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
127.8 mi · 2 hr 25 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
82 mi · 1 hr 29 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 255: Memphis, Interstate 270
1386 ft · 34 sec
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 255 South: Memphis
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
10
Merge slight left
17.2 mi · 20 min
-
11
Take the exit slight left toward IL 3 South: Columbia
10.4 mi · 13 min
-
12
Turn left onto North Market Street
1.4 mi · 4 min · North Market Street
-
13
Turn right onto West Mill Street
79 m · 11 sec · West Mill Street
-
14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Mill Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cicero and Waterloo.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
128 mi · 02h 25m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Cicero and Mostly Sunny near Waterloo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cicero to Waterloo?
The road trip is about 308.4 miles (496.4 km) and usually takes 05h 49m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Lawndale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 154.3 miles from Cicero and 154.2 miles from Waterloo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 273.5 miles (440.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.03 one way or $82.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 96.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cicero and Mostly Sunny near Waterloo.
Stop Ideas Near Lawndale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
City of Lincoln
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lawndale.
Lincoln
Uptown Station
Springfield station
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cicero and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 273.55 mi (440.23 km).
#1 Cicero
Town in Illinois
| Population | 79,727 |
| Coordinates | 41.8455900, -87.7539400 |
| Altitude | 184 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Waterloo
City in Illinois
| Population | 10,536 |
| Coordinates | 38.3358900, -90.1498300 |
| Altitude | 216 |
| Country | United States |
End: Waterloo (-90.14983, 38.33589)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 496 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 50m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $41.03 | $82.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $46.27 | $92.55 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $50.64 | $101.27 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $57.71 | $115.42 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.