Traveling from Lockport to Godfrey covers 255.6 miles of Illinois landscape, typically taking about 4 hours and 52 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is manageable within a single day, you likely won't need an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, including I-55, State Route 140, and IL-255, making for a straightforward trek across the Midwest. Budgeting approximately $39 for fuel should keep you covered for the trip. It is a practical, highway-focused drive that connects the northern part of the state to the Godfrey area 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
127.8 miles from Lockport, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
220.4 mi
3h 57m
State Route 140
9.6 mi
13m
IL 255
7.9 mi
9m
I 80
7 mi
8m
South State Street
2.7 mi
5m
Collins Street
2 mi
4m
East Bethalto Drive
1.8 mi
3m
Richards Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 220.4 mi, about 3h 57m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,689 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,115
Quietest
2 AM
~152 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Lockport, IL and Godfrey, IL.
1
Start on IL 7
110 ft·6 sec·West 9th Street
2
Turn right onto IL 171
2.7 mi·5 min·South State Street
3
Continue on IL 171
2.0 mi·4 min·Collins Street
4
Continue on US 6; US 30
404 ft·18 sec·East Jefferson Street
5
Turn left onto Richards Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Richards Street
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island
7
Merge onto I 80
7.0 mi·8 min·I 80
Use the right lane.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 126AToward I 55 South: Saint Louis
9
Merge onto I 55
93 mi·1 hr 40 min·I 55
Use the right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
65 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, SpringfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
63 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward IL 140: Alton, Greenville
13
Turn right onto IL 140
0.7 mi·1 min·East State Street
14
Continue on IL 140
9.6 mi·13 min·State Route 140
15
Continue on IL 140
1.8 mi·3 min·East Bethalto Drive
16
Continue on IL 111; IL 140
0.3 mi·31 sec·East MacArthur Drive
17
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward IL 255 North: Godfrey
18
Merge onto IL 255
7.9 mi·9 min·IL 255
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 19Toward Humbert Road
20
Turn left onto Humbert Road
0.5 mi·52 sec·Humbert Road
21
Turn right onto Pearl Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Pearl Street
22
Turn left onto Isabel Drive
0.2 mi·50 sec·Isabel Drive
23
Keep slight right at fork onto Isabel Street
150 ft·6 sec·Isabel Street
24
Arrive at destination
Isabel Street
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the nearly five-hour duration. Because the route is highway-heavy, keep a close eye on your fuel levels before leaving Lockport to avoid unnecessary exits during the long 220.4-mile stretch on I-55. Leaving early in the morning can help you bypass potential traffic congestion, giving you more flexibility upon your arrival in Godfrey. Since the entire trip is designed to be completed in one day, use your single recommended stop to stretch your legs and refresh, ensuring you stay alert for the final leg of the drive.
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 127.8 miles from Lockport, IL, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 220.4 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 56 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.8 miles or 2h 26m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Godfrey, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lockport, 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 Lockport, IL
This is one driving day of about 255.6 miles and 4h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Lockport, 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 220.4 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.6 and 170.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
5.6 mi into trip|~13m in|I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
12.6 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the exit toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 126A
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
5
13 mi into trip|~22m in|I 55
Merge onto I 55
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
106 mi into trip|~2h 3m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
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 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
5
170.8 mi into trip|~3h 13m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.75 one way
$75.49 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$41.67
$83.34
premium
$4.72
$47.46
$94.91
diesel
$4.80
$48.26
$96.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.7
0
$26.84
$12.27
Efficient EV
63.9
0
$22.37
$10.22
EV Truck/SUV
102.2
1
$35.78
$16.36
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Lockport, IL
Late night
in Lockport on Sunday
Local time
5:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
WSW 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:50AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Godfrey, IL
Late night
in Godfrey on Sunday
Local time
5:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
W 6 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:50AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
87°F
Athens, IL
128 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 52m 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 167.4
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed transit, as 96% of your travel takes place on highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-55, which accounts for a 220.4-mile stretch of the journey. This creates a predictable, consistent rhythm behind the wheel, ideal for those who prefer steady cruising over winding backroads. Once you transition off the interstate onto State Route 140 and IL-255, the character of the road shifts slightly as you approach your destination. Overall, the experience is defined by efficiency and long, uninterrupted segments of pavement.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 220.4 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and State Route 140. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.6 miles in near I 80.
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 17 significant decision points across 255.6 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 5.6 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 13 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
771 ft512 ft
Total Climb
438 ft
Total Descent
424 ft
Highest Point
771 ft
~91.3 mi in
Elevation Range
258 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lockport, IL and Godfrey, IL, road signs point toward Springfield and Greenville.
Springfield
106 mi in|~2h 3m|via I 55
Greenville
233.4 mi in|~4h 20m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 52m. Total distance: 255.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 52m 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 220.4 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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 Godfrey, 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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.6 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 13 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Godfrey, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
