Rail Splitter Rest Area - Southbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Lockport, IL to Swansea, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 58m
Distance
261.9 mi
421 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 45m
★
6 AM
4h 59m
8 AM
5h 26m
10 AM
5h 8m
12 PM
5h 6m
3 PM
5h 10m
5 PM
5h 24m
8 PM
4h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lockport, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Swansea, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Lockport, IL to Swansea, IL is 261.9 miles and takes about 4h 58m via I 55, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a straightforward drive with a high percentage of highway time. It's a solid option for a single-day trip, making it convenient for those looking to cover ground efficiently without an overnight stay.
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
130.9 miles from Lockport, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 235.7 mi | 4h 14m |
| North Illinois Street | 8.4 mi | 13m |
| I 80 | 7 mi | 8m |
| Vandalia Street | 3 mi | 4m |
| South State Street | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| Collins Street | 2 mi | 4m |
| South Morrison Avenue | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Richards Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 235.7 mi, about 4h 14m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,681 veh/hr typical · worst 2,233
Quietest
2 AM
~156 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Lockport, IL and Swansea, 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 126A
Toward 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, Springfield
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
78 mi
·
1 hr 23 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 15A
Toward IL 159 South: Collinsville
13
Continue on IL 159
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Vandalia Street
14
Continue on IL 159
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Morrison Avenue
15
Continue on IL 159
8.4 mi
·
13 min
·
North Illinois Street
16
Turn right onto IL 161
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
North Belt West
17
Continue on IL 161
151 ft
·
9 sec
·
North Belt West
18
Arrive at destination
IL 161
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour 58 minute estimated drive time, leaving Lockport in the morning will allow you to reach Swansea with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and a high highway share, you can easily complete this route in a single day. The fuel cost is estimated at $41, so ensure your tank is full before you leave to minimize any mid-drive fill-ups. Pay attention to the exit numbers on I 55 as you approach your destination, as dense exits can appear quickly in the latter stages 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 130.9 miles from Lockport, IL, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 235.7 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 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.9 miles or 2h 30m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Swansea, 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 261.9 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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 235.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
131 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 130.9 miles from Lockport, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 235.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Homestead Rest Area - Southbound
0 mi from route
Rail Splitter Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Dixie Trucker's Home
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Coalfield Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Funks Grove Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Limestone Rest Area (Southbound)
0.1 mi from route
Limestone Rest Area (Northbound)
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Homestead Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.5 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Rest Area
1.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 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
7
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. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.69 one way
$87.38 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
92 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $47.48 | $94.96 |
| premium | $5.26 | $54.23 | $108.45 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $63.71 | $127.42 |
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: 91.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 78.6 | 0 | $27.50 | $12.57 |
| Efficient EV | 65.5 | 0 | $22.92 | $10.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 104.8 | 1 | $36.67 | $16.76 |
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 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.
Origin
Lockport, IL
Morning in Lockport on Monday
Local time
6:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Sunny
SSW 10 to 15 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Swansea, IL
Morning in Swansea on Monday
Local time
6:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Patchy Frost then Sunny
SE 2 to 7 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
78°F
Athens, IL
131 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
8 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 58m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 162.6
View on nps.gov
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...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 93% of your time on the highway, with the vast majority of that on I 55. The longest continuous stretch you'll cover is 235.7 miles on I 55, meaning you won't encounter many exits for a significant portion of the drive. North Illinois Street and I 80 make up the remaining 7% of the route, likely appearing at the beginning or end of your trip. Be prepared for a consistent, high-speed cruising experience for most of the journey.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 235.7 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and North Illinois Street. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.6 miles in near I 80.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 261.9 miles you will encounter 10 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 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
795 ft
535 ft
Total Climb
415 ft
Total Descent
462 ft
Highest Point
795 ft
~93.5 mi in
Elevation Range
260 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Lockport, IL to Swansea, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
Springfield
106 mi in
|
~2h 3m
|
via I 55
About the Cities
Starting in Lockport, IL
Full guide →Founded 1853
Top landmarks
- • Lockport Historic District — historic district in Illinois, United States
Arriving in Swansea, IL
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 58m. Total distance: 261.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 235.7 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 30 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 Swansea, 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 30 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 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 Swansea, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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