How far is Empire, IL from Cicero, IL?

The driving distance from Empire, IL to Cicero, IL is about 142.7 miles (229.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 54m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 117.4 miles (189 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 49m 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
142.7 mi
02h 54m
Flight
117.43 mi
188.98 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Empire.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
117.43 mi
Kilometers
188.98 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
142.7 mi
Kilometers
229.65 km
Drive Time
02h 54m

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 02h 54m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cicero
Wed, Apr 15, 5:51 PM CDT
Return by in Empire
Wed, Apr 15, 8:46 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Empire
2026-04-15T14:56
Arrive Cicero
Wed, Apr 15, 5:51 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 54m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:55 AM to 12:55 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:40 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Empire
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
Dwight
IL

Village in Illinois

From Empire
71.3 mi
01h 27m
To Cicero
71.3 mi
01h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Today

Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 7:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 17 mph SSW
Destination
74°F
Today

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 7:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Empire and Cicero.

  1. 1

    Start on East 150 North Road

    1.1 mi · 4 min · East 150 North Road

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East 200 North Road

    784 ft · 13 sec · East 200 North Road

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right toward I 74 West: Bloomington

    2041 ft · 50 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    9.1 mi · 10 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward Downs

    1174 ft · 25 sec

  6. 6

    Turn right onto East 700 North Road

    140 m · 11 sec · East 700 North Road

  7. 7

    Continue on South Seminary Street

    1 km · 2 min · South Seminary Street

  8. 8

    At the end of the road, turn left

    2 mi · 3 min

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Towanda Barnes Road

    6.8 mi · 11 min · Towanda Barnes Road

  10. 10

    Continue on Towanda-Barnes Road

    3 mi · 5 min · Towanda-Barnes Road

  11. 11

    Continue on West Hely Street

    1225 ft · 40 sec · West Hely Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto South Jefferson Street

    2706 ft · 1 min · South Jefferson Street

  13. 13

    Continue on North 1900 East Road

    709 ft · 15 sec · North 1900 East Road

  14. 14

    Take the ramp right toward I 55 North: Joliet

    1857 ft · 45 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    115.1 mi · 2 hr 11 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 50: Cicero Avenue

    1765 ft · 52 sec

  17. 17

    Turn left onto South Cicero Avenue

    1.4 mi · 2 min · South Cicero Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn left onto West 31st Street

    2705 ft · 58 sec · West 31st Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto South Laramie Avenue

    1 km · 1 min · South Laramie Avenue

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Laramie Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
20 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 North
115 mi · 81%
I 74 West
9.52 mi · 7%
Towanda Barnes Road
6.78 mi · 5%
Towanda-Barnes Road
2.96 mi · 2%
South Cicero Avenue
1.39 mi · 1%
East 150 North Road
1.09 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 55 North

Merge slight left

115 mi · 02h 11m

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
02h 54m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25.3 mi
117.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Dwight
01h 27m from Empire
Leave By
12:40 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Empire and Showers And Thunderstorms near Cicero.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Empire to Cicero?

The road trip is about 142.7 miles (229.7 km) and usually takes 02h 54m 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?

Dwight is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.3 miles from Empire and 71.3 miles from Cicero.

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

The direct path is about 117.4 miles (189 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.3 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 12:40 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.01 one way or $38.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Empire and Showers And Thunderstorms near Cicero.

Stop Ideas Near Dwight

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Dwight, 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 Dwight.

RAIL

Dwight station

119 West Main St.
RAIL

Pontiac station

30 mi away
721 West Washington St.
RAIL

Kankakee

47 mi away
199 South East Ave.
RAIL

Gilman

52 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Empire and Cicero. Straight-line distance: 117.43 mi (188.98 km).

Empire

#1 Empire

Township in McLean County, Illinois

Population4,024
Coordinates40.3055900, -88.7075700
Altitude231
CountryUnited States
Cicero

#2 Cicero

Town in Illinois

Population79,727
Coordinates41.8455900, -87.7539400
Altitude184
CountryUnited States
Start: Empire (-88.70757, 40.30559)
End: Cicero (-87.75394, 41.84559)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 230 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 45m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 34m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 22m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 46m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.04 gal
19.06 L · about $19.01
Round trip
$38.01
10.08 gal · 38.12 L
Estimated CO2
44.8 kg one way
Round trip: 89.6 kg / 198 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.01 $38.01
Mid-grade $4.25 $21.44 $42.87
Premium $4.65 $23.46 $46.91
Diesel $5.30 $26.73 $53.46

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Empire and Cicero. The current time is 14:56:50.

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.