Carbondale to Lockport is 315 miles and takes about 6h 3m via I 57, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Illinois, connecting the Midwest regions of the state. It's a straightforward drive primarily on interstate highways, making it a good option if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground. With a recommended single day of driving, this trip is ideal for those who prefer to reach their destination without overnight stops.
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
157.5 miles from Carbondale, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
154.9 mi
2h 45m
Ken Gray Expressway
108.7 mi
1h 57m
US 45
18.2 mi
25m
East Main Street
9.8 mi
14m
Lincoln Highway
3.8 mi
5m
Veterans Memorial Tollway
3.4 mi
3m
West Deyoung Street
3.3 mi
4m
North Cedar Road
2.4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 154.9 mi, about 2h 45m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,006 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,239
Quietest
3 AM
~158 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Carbondale, IL and Lockport, IL.
1
Start on IL 13
0.1 mi·20 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 51
0.1 mi·16 sec·South University Avenue
3
Turn left onto IL 13
1.4 mi·2 min·West Walnut Street
4
Continue on IL 13
9.7 mi·14 min·East Main Street
5
Continue on IL 13
3.3 mi·4 min·West Deyoung Street
6
Take the exit
1.2 mi·2 min
7
Merge onto I 57
41 mi·44 min·Ken Gray Expressway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
67 mi·1 hr 12 min·Ken Gray Expressway
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
155 mi·2 hr 45 min·I 57
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·42 sec
Exit 318Toward Bourbonnais Parkway
11
Turn left onto Bourbonnais Parkway
0.6 mi·1 min·Bourbonnais Parkway
12
Turn right onto US 45; US 52
18 mi·25 min·US 45; US 52
13
Turn left onto West Steger Road
0.2 mi·54 sec·West Steger Road
14
Turn right onto Wolf Road
2.3 mi·4 min·Wolf Road
15
Turn left onto US 30
3.8 mi·5 min·Lincoln Highway
16
Continue on US 30
0.3 mi·26 sec·East Maple Street
17
Continue on US 30
442 ft·10 sec·West Lincoln Highway
18
Turn right onto North Cedar Road
2.4 mi·5 min·North Cedar Road
19
Turn left onto US 6
0.2 mi·18 sec·Maple Road
20
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·57 sec
Toward I 355 Toll North: West SuburbsUse the right lane.
21
Merge onto I 355
3.4 mi·3 min·Veterans Memorial Tollway
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 4Toward IL 7: 159th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn straight onto IL 7
0.9 mi·1 min·West 159th Street
24
Continue on IL 7
1.9 mi·3 min·East 9th Street
25
Arrive at destination
IL 7
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour duration, leaving Carbondale in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Lockport with plenty of daylight to spare. You'll likely only need one planned stop, so consider breaking up the 154.9-mile stretch on I 57. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you get closer to Lockport, and utilize the service areas along I 57. The route's efficiency means you have flexibility, so if you decide to make an unscheduled stop, it won't significantly derail your plans.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 157.5 miles from Carbondale, IL, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 154.9 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 69 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 157.5 miles or 2h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 44m
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 Carbondale, 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 Carbondale, IL
This is one driving day of about 315 miles and 6h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Carbondale, 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 57 for about 154.9 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 312 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 51 / South University Avenue
Turn left onto US 51 / South University Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
57.2 mi into trip|~1h 8m in|I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
5
124.6 mi into trip|~2h 21m in|I 57
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
5
279.5 mi into trip|~5h 7m in
Take the exit toward Bourbonnais Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 318
Toward Bourbonnais Parkway
7
312 mi into trip|~5h 57m in
Take the exit toward IL 7: 159th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 4
Toward IL 7: 159th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.52 one way
$93.04 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$51.35
$102.71
premium
$4.72
$58.49
$116.97
diesel
$4.80
$59.48
$118.96
Estimated Tolls: $0.24
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(3.4 mi)$0.24
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.5
1
$33.08
$15.12
Efficient EV
78.8
0
$27.56
$12.60
EV Truck/SUV
126
1
$44.10
$20.16
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Carbondale, IL
Morning
in Carbondale on Sunday
Local time
10:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 5 mph43% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:32PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Lockport, IL
Morning
in Lockport on Sunday
Local time
10:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Patchy Smoke
WSW 5 to 10 mph59% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:32PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
6h 3m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 304.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 90% of the 315 miles on interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 154.9 miles on I 57, offering uninterrupted cruising. The Ken Gray Expressway and US 45 will appear towards the end, marking the transition to surface roads with more frequent exits and potential for local traffic as you approach Lockport.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 154.9 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 51 / South University Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 315 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 51 / South University Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 57.2 miles (I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 124.6 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Carbondale is a small city of about 25,000 (2020) in Southern (Illinois) about 14 miles (22 km) east of the Mississippi River at roughly the southern edge of the plains, and the northern limit of the Shawnee hills. The surrounding area boasts some pleasant countryside, particularly in the Shawnee National Forest preserve.
The town hosts the main campus of Southern Illinois University.
Top landmarks
•West Walnut Street Historic District — Carbondale, Illinois, listed on the NRHP in Jackson County, Illinois
•Woodlawn Cemetery — cemetery in Carbondale, Illinois
•Illinois Central Railroad Passenger Depot — railway station in Carbondale, the United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 3m. Total distance: 315 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 3m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 154.9 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.24 in tolls one way, starting with Veterans Memorial Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 35 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 35 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 51 / South University Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 57.2 miles (I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 124.6 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lockport, IL before the return drive.
