Cahokia, IL to Lockport, IL is 265.5 miles and takes about 4h 59m via I 55 and I 80, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within the Midwest, entirely within Illinois, making it a straightforward drive. With 96% of the route on highways, expect a quick transit. This is a solid option for a single-day trip when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
132.7 miles from Cahokia, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
247.2 mi
4h 28m
I 80
5.1 mi
6m
Broadway Street
4.4 mi
8m
Mississippi Avenue
3.1 mi
5m
IL 3
2.1 mi
3m
West 9th Street
1 mi
1m
Hickory Street
0.7 mi
1m
South Center Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 247.2 mi, about 4h 28m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,778 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,331
Quietest
2 AM
~165 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cahokia, IL and Lockport, IL.
1
Start on West 1st Street
94 ft·5 sec·West 1st Street
2
Turn slight left onto IL 3
3.1 mi·5 min·Mississippi Avenue
3
Keep slight right at fork onto IL 3
2.1 mi·3 min·IL 3
Toward I 64 East, I 55 North, IL 3: Chicago, Indianapolis, Great River RoadUse the slight right lane.
4
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55; US 40
0.6 mi·53 sec·I 55; US 40
Toward I 55 North: Chicago, IndianapolisUse the slight left lane.
5
Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40
16 mi·18 min·I 55; I 70; US 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
108 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
94 mi·1 hr 40 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 250AToward I 80 East: IndianaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 80
5.1 mi·6 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 131Toward Center Street
12
Continue on South Center Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·South Center Street
13
Continue on Hickory Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Hickory Street
14
Turn right onto Bridge Street
348 ft·17 sec·Bridge Street
15
Turn left onto Broadway Street
4.4 mi·8 min·Broadway Street
16
Turn right onto IL 7
1.0 mi·1 min·West 9th Street
Use the left lane.
17
Arrive at destination
IL 7
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 59m estimated duration, this route is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected traffic. The longest stretch without a major highway change is 247.2 miles on I 55, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before this extended segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $41, you can budget accordingly for gas. Since it's a one-day trip, you have flexibility, but it's wise to be aware of the highway transition as you near Lockport.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 132.7 miles from Cahokia, IL, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 247.2 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 58 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.7 miles or 2h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lockport, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cahokia, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cahokia, IL
This is one driving day of about 265.5 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Cahokia, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 247.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 252.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
3.1 mi into trip|~5m in|IL 3
Keep slight right at fork onto IL 3 toward I 64 East, I 55 North, IL 3: Chicago, Indianapolis, Great River Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 64 East, I 55 North, IL 3: Chicago, In...
8
5.2 mi into trip|~8m in|I 55; US 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55; US 40 toward I 55 North: Chicago, Indianapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago, Indianapolis
7
129.2 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
158.6 mi into trip|~2h 55m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7
252.4 mi into trip|~4h 36m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Indiana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 250A
Toward I 80 East: Indiana
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.91 one way
$87.82 round trip
$4.20/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.56
$47.69
$95.37
premium
$5.23
$54.67
$109.34
diesel
$6.20
$64.80
$129.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-05.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.7
0
$27.88
$12.74
Efficient EV
66.4
0
$23.23
$10.62
EV Truck/SUV
106.2
1
$37.17
$16.99
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Forecast as of Oct 11, 2026
Origin
Cahokia, IL
Late night
in Cahokia on Tuesday
Local time
5:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Clear
N 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lockport, IL
Late night
in Lockport on Tuesday
Local time
5:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
45°F
Athens, IL
133 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
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
6 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
4h 59m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 100.7
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 265.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is predominantly a highway drive, with 96% of the 265.5 miles on interstates like I 55 and I 80. You'll experience a long stretch of 247.2 miles on I 55 before transitioning. Expect the highway portion to conclude as you approach Lockport, where you'll navigate surface streets like Broadway Street for the final leg.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 247.2 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 80. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in near IL 3.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 265.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles (IL 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.2 miles (I 55; US 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
812 ft407 ft
Total Climb
521 ft
Total Descent
397 ft
Highest Point
812 ft
~170.7 mi in
Elevation Range
405 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cahokia, IL and Lockport, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 59m. Total distance: 265.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 247.2 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Lockport, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles (IL 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.2 miles (I 55; US 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Lockport, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
