Spanning 251.3 miles across Illinois, this journey from Lockport to Upper Alton is a straightforward trek through the Midwest. You should plan for approximately 4 hours and 49 minutes of driving time, making it a manageable day trip if you get an early start. Budget about $38 for fuel to cover the distance, which primarily utilizes I-55, I-80, and State Route 140. Because the trip is relatively efficient, you likely won't need an overnight stay unless you prefer a leisurely pace. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that connects two distinct parts of the state with ease, perfect for travelers prioritizing efficiency over scenic detours.
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
125.7 miles from Lockport, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
220.4 mi
3h 57m
State Route 140
9.6 mi
13m
I 80
7 mi
8m
South State Street
2.7 mi
5m
College Avenue
2.4 mi
4m
Collins Street
2 mi
4m
East Bethalto Drive
1.8 mi
3m
East MacArthur Drive
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 220.4 mi, about 3h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lockport, IL and Upper Alton, 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
1.4 mi·2 min·East MacArthur Drive
17
Continue on IL 111; IL 140
1.3 mi·2 min·West Macarthur Drive
18
Continue on IL 111; IL 140
2.4 mi·4 min·College Avenue
19
Turn right onto Washington Avenue
0.6 mi·59 sec·Washington Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
Washington Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day commitment, aim to leave Lockport early to avoid peak traffic congestion on the major interstates. You only need to plan for one major stop to refuel and stretch your legs, which helps keep your total travel time close to the 4-hour and 49-minute mark. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during that 220.4-mile stretch on I-55, as consistent highway speeds can deplete your tank faster than expected. Having the flexibility to depart mid-morning can also prove advantageous, as it allows you to bypass the heaviest commuter windows while still arriving in Upper Alton with plenty of daylight left.
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 125.7 miles from Lockport, IL, or about 2h 24m 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 55 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.7 miles or 2h 24m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Upper Alton, 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 251.3 miles and 4h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 11
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
$39.29 one way
$78.58 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$43.14
$86.27
premium
$4.89
$48.36
$96.72
diesel
$5.61
$55.48
$110.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.4
0
$26.39
$12.06
Efficient EV
62.8
0
$21.99
$10.05
EV Truck/SUV
100.5
1
$35.18
$16.08
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Lockport, IL
Late night
in Lockport on Sunday
Local time
2:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Upper Alton, IL
Late night
in Upper Alton on Sunday
Local time
2:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Grandview, IL
126 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
25 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 49m 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 164.7
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient experience, as 94% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-55, which accounts for a massive 220.4-mile uninterrupted stretch. This makes the journey feel more like a steady, focused interstate grind than a winding backroads adventure. Once you exit the main highway system, the final transition onto State Route 140 shifts the pace as you approach Upper Alton. Be prepared for long, consistent periods behind the wheel where maintaining a steady cruising speed is the primary objective.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 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?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and State Route 140. You will hit about 11 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 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 251.3 miles you will encounter 11 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.
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 Upper Alton, IL, road signs point toward Springfield and Greenville.
Springfield
106 mi in|~2h 3m|via I 55
Greenville
233.4 mi in|~4h 20m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 49m. Total distance: 251.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). 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.
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 Upper Alton, 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 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 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Upper Alton, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
