Lindenhurst to Lockport is 70.5 miles and takes about 1 hour 31 minutes via Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a route that involves frequent turns and navigating local roads, rather than long stretches of uninterrupted highway. It's a manageable trip, well-suited for a single day of travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.2 miles from Lindenhurst, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Tri-State Tollway
38 mi
47m
Veterans Memorial Tollway
16 mi
18m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
6.5 mi
7m
East Grand Avenue
4.8 mi
7m
East 9th Street
1.9 mi
3m
West 159th Street
0.7 mi
1m
Briar Lane
0.2 mi
<1m
Valley Drive
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Tri-State Tollway
— 38 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lindenhurst, IL and Lockport, IL.
1
Start on Briar Lane
0.2 mi·48 sec·Briar Lane
2
At end of road, turn left onto Valley Drive
407 ft·18 sec·Valley Drive
3
At end of road, turn right onto Sand Lake Road
259 ft·13 sec·Sand Lake Road
4
Turn left onto IL 132
4.8 mi·7 min·East Grand Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 94 East Toll: ChicagoUse the straight / right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 94
16 mi·18 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
20 mi·25 min·Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'HareUse the slight right lane.
8
Take the exit onto I 294
1.0 mi·1 min·Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, IndianaUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
0.2 mi·30 sec·Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, IndianaUse the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 294
0.4 mi·47 sec·Tri-State Tollway
Exit 15AToward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·49 sec
Exit 31AToward I 88 West Toll: AuroraUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
0.8 mi·59 sec·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110
5.8 mi·6 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 138Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)Use the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.7 mi·55 sec
Exit 131AToward I 355 South: JolietUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 355
16 mi·18 min·Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 4Toward IL 7: 159th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn right onto IL 7
0.7 mi·1 min·West 159th Street
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on IL 7
1.9 mi·3 min·East 9th Street
19
Arrive at destination
IL 7
Trip Plan
Given this is a 70.5-mile drive taking just over 1.5 hours, you have considerable flexibility with your departure time. Leaving mid-morning could help you avoid peak traffic. With only 0% highway share and a profile that suggests frequent turns, plan for your actual travel time to be closer to the 1 hour 31 minute estimate, or slightly longer if you encounter unexpected delays. Keep an eye on your fuel; while the estimated cost is only $11, it's always wise to top off before heading out, especially when navigating potentially less predictable local roads where gas stations might be less frequent than on major interstates. A good tip for this route is to have your GPS or navigation app ready from the start, as the frequent turns mean you'll be relying on it consistently.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 35.2 miles from Lindenhurst, IL, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38 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 16 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.2 miles or 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 16m
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 Lindenhurst, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lindenhurst, IL
This is one driving day of about 70.5 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Lindenhurst, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Tri-State Tollway for about 38 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 22 and 44.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
22 mi into trip|~28m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare
7
42.1 mi into trip|~54m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Take the exit onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
8
43 mi into trip|~55m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
8
43.6 mi into trip|~57m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 31A
Toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora
8
44.9 mi into trip|~58m in|I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 138
Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.02 one way
$22.04 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$12.10
$24.20
premium
$4.89
$13.57
$27.13
diesel
$5.61
$15.57
$31.13
Estimated Tolls: $3.80
Tri-state Tollway
(38 mi)$2.28
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(16 mi)$1.12
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(6.5 mi)$0.40
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
$11
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.2
0
$7.40
$3.38
Efficient EV
17.6
0
$6.17
$2.82
EV Truck/SUV
28.2
0
$9.87
$4.51
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Lindenhurst, IL
Morning
in Lindenhurst on Tuesday
Local time
7:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lockport, IL
Morning
in Lockport on Tuesday
Local time
7:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1h 31m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' indicating you'll be making numerous directional changes. While it utilizes tollways like the Tri-State Tollway, Veterans Memorial Tollway, and Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for significant portions, the overall profile suggests a less straightforward, more engaged driving experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 38 miles on the Tri-State Tollway, after which you can expect the route to become more fragmented with turns. This isn't a simple point-A-to-point-B interstate cruise; be prepared for active navigation.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 38 mi on Tri-State Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 22 miles in near I 294 / Tri-State Tollway.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.5 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 22 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.1 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lindenhurst, IL and Lockport, IL, road signs point toward O'hare, Indiana and 22Nd Street (Cermak Road).
O'hare
22 mi in|~28m|via I 294
Indiana
42.1 mi in|~54m|via I 294
22Nd Street (Cermak Road)
44.9 mi in|~58m|via I 88; IL 110
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 70.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 38 miles on Tri-State Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.80 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state 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.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 22 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.1 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lockport, IL before heading back.
