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

The driving distance from Lake Forest, IL to Cicero, IL is about 42.3 miles (68 km), with a travel time of about 00h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 28.9 miles (46.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 50m 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
42.25 mi
00h 55m
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 Lake Forest.

Flight Distance

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

Driving Distance

Road route
42.25 mi
Kilometers
67.99 km
Drive Time
00h 55m

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 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cicero
Tue, Apr 14, 2:53 PM CDT
Return by in Lake Forest
Tue, Apr 14, 3:49 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lake Forest
2026-04-14T13:58
Arrive Cicero
Tue, Apr 14, 2:53 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:55 AM to 10:55 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:40 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lake Forest
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 Lake Forest
16.8 mi
00h 27m
To Cicero
25.4 mi
00h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
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
Destination
76°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Griffith Road

    22 m · 3 sec · Griffith Road

  2. 2

    Turn straight onto East Woodland Road

    62 m · 9 sec · East Woodland Road

  3. 3

    Turn slight left onto North McKinley Road

    2911 ft · 1 min · North McKinley Road

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Illinois Road

    73 m · 12 sec · Illinois Road

  5. 5

    Turn left onto North Western Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · North Western Avenue

  6. 6

    At the end of the road, turn right onto East Westleigh Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · East Westleigh Road

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Skokie Valley Road

    3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road

  8. 8

    Continue on Skokie Highway

    3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on Edens Expressway

    13.7 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway

  10. 10

    Continue on Kennedy Expressway

    2222 ft · 35 sec · Kennedy Expressway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 19: Irving Park Road, Keeler Avenue

    1332 ft · 35 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto North Keeler Avenue

    68 m · 17 sec · North Keeler Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn left onto North Avondale Avenue

    1681 ft · 48 sec · North Avondale Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto North Pulaski Road

    2 mi · 4 min · North Pulaski Road

  15. 15

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

    52 m · 10 sec · West Belden Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn left onto North Pulaski Road

    2.9 mi · 6 min · North Pulaski Road

  17. 17

    Turn right onto West Madison Street

    1 mi · 2 min · West Madison Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto North Cicero Avenue

    1 mi · 2 min · North Cicero Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn right onto West Roosevelt Road

    2662 ft · 1 min · West Roosevelt Road

  20. 20

    Turn left onto South Laramie Avenue

    1.4 mi · 3 min · South Laramie Avenue

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Laramie Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
21 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
49.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Edens Expressway
13.7 mi · 32%
North Pulaski Road
4.85 mi · 11%
Skokie Highway
3.76 mi · 9%
Skokie Valley Road
3.39 mi · 8%
South Laramie Avenue
1.39 mi · 3%
North Western Avenue
1.26 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Edens Expressway

Continue on Edens Expressway

13.7 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 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.4 mi
28.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Morton Grove
00h 27m from Lake Forest
Leave By
4:40 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest to Cicero?

The road trip is about 42.3 miles (68 km) and usually takes 00h 55m 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 16.8 miles from Lake Forest and 25.4 miles from Cicero.

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 13.4 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 4:40 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.62 one way or $11.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

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 Lake Forest and Cicero. Straight-line distance: 28.88 mi (46.48 km).

Lake Forest

#1 Lake Forest

City in Lake County, Illinois, United States

Population19,379
Coordinates42.2586300, -87.8406300
Altitude210
CountryUnited States
Cicero

#2 Cicero

Town in Illinois

Population79,727
Coordinates41.8455900, -87.7539400
Altitude184
CountryUnited States
Start: Griffith Road (-87.840488, 42.258633)
End: South Laramie Avenue (-87.753926, 41.84559)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 68 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 50m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 36m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.49 gal
5.64 L · about $5.62
Round trip
$11.24
2.98 gal · 11.28 L
Estimated CO2
13.2 kg one way
Round trip: 26.5 kg / 58 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $5.62 $11.24
Mid-grade $4.25 $6.34 $12.67
Premium $4.65 $6.93 $13.87
Diesel $5.30 $7.90 $15.81

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 Lake Forest and Cicero. The current time is 13:58:30.

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.