Marion, IL to Lockport, IL is 244.2 miles and takes about 5h 17m via 500E, South West Street, and County Road 1100 East, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Expect a local feel for the entire trip, with no highway segments to speak of. It's a manageable distance for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. Consider this route if you prefer a more direct, less highway-intensive way to travel between these two Illinois points.
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
122.1 miles from Marion, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
128.3 mi
2h 17m
IL 33
36.3 mi
53m
US 45
18.2 mi
25m
500E
12.3 mi
16m
South Van Buren Street
11 mi
15m
County Road 1100 East
6.7 mi
9m
Illinois Route 16
5.3 mi
7m
Lincoln Highway
3.8 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 128.3 mi, about 2h 17m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~928 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,278
Quietest
2 AM
~107 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.7×
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 Marion, IL and Lockport, IL.
1
Start on 2050N
2.9 mi·11 min·2050N
2
At end of road, turn left onto IL 130
12 mi·16 min·500E
3
Continue on IL 130; IL 250
2.5 mi·4 min·South West Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on IL 130
6.7 mi·9 min·County Road 1100 East
5
Continue on IL 130
11 mi·15 min·South Van Buren Street
6
Turn right onto IL 33; IL 130
36 mi·53 min·IL 33; IL 130
7
Turn left onto IL 16
2.5 mi·4 min·Lincoln Avenue
8
Continue on IL 16
5.3 mi·7 min·Illinois Route 16
9
Continue on IL 16
0.4 mi·38 sec·Charleston Avenue East
10
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
11
Merge onto I 57
128 mi·2 hr 17 min·I 57
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·42 sec
Exit 318Toward Bourbonnais Parkway
13
Turn left onto Bourbonnais Parkway
0.6 mi·1 min·Bourbonnais Parkway
14
Turn right onto US 45; US 52
18 mi·25 min·US 45; US 52
15
Turn left onto West Steger Road
0.2 mi·54 sec·West Steger Road
16
Turn right onto Wolf Road
2.3 mi·4 min·Wolf Road
17
Turn left onto US 30
3.8 mi·5 min·Lincoln Highway
18
Continue on US 30
0.3 mi·26 sec·East Maple Street
19
Continue on US 30
442 ft·10 sec·West Lincoln Highway
20
Turn right onto North Cedar Road
2.4 mi·5 min·North Cedar Road
21
Turn left onto US 6
0.2 mi·18 sec·Maple Road
22
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·57 sec
Toward I 355 Toll North: West SuburbsUse the right lane.
23
Merge onto I 355
3.4 mi·3 min·Veterans Memorial Tollway
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 4Toward IL 7: 159th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn straight onto IL 7
0.9 mi·1 min·West 159th Street
26
Continue on IL 7
1.9 mi·3 min·East 9th Street
27
Arrive at destination
IL 7
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 17m estimated drive time and 244.2 miles, leaving in the morning is ideal to ensure you arrive with plenty of daylight. Since this is a single-day trip with no highway segments, you can adjust your departure time based on your needs. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs and refuel if necessary, keeping in mind the $38 fuel estimate. Pay close attention to navigation, especially as you transition between named roads like 500E, South West Street, and County Road 1100 East, as this is a local-feeling drive with many potential turns.
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 122.1 miles from Marion, IL, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.3 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 54 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.1 miles or 2h 48m 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 12m
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 Marion, 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 Marion, IL
This is one driving day of about 244.2 miles and 5h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Marion, 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 128.3 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.9 and 241.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.9 mi into trip|~11m in|IL 130 / 500E
At end of road, turn left onto IL 130 / 500E
Navigation decision point
5
208.7 mi into trip|~4h 21m in
Take the exit toward Bourbonnais Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 318
Toward Bourbonnais Parkway
4
209.7 mi into trip|~4h 23m in|US 45; US 52
Turn right onto US 45; US 52
Navigation decision point
5
237.1 mi into trip|~5h 6m in
Take the ramp toward I 355 Toll North: West Suburbs
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 355 Toll North: West Suburbs
7
241.1 mi into trip|~5h 11m 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
$40.74 one way
$81.47 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$44.27
$88.55
premium
$5.26
$50.56
$101.12
diesel
$6.18
$59.41
$118.81
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
$41
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.3
0
$25.64
$11.72
Efficient EV
61.1
0
$21.37
$9.77
EV Truck/SUV
97.7
1
$34.19
$15.63
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
29 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Marion, IL
Morning
in Marion on Monday
Local time
7:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
SE 1 to 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lockport, IL
Morning
in Lockport on Monday
Local time
7:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Sunny
SSW 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 17m 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.
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
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 227.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is entirely on surface roads, with a 0% highway share. You'll be navigating local streets and county roads for the full 244.2 miles. The drive involves frequent turns, so pay close attention to navigation. There isn't a single stretch longer than what's typical for local driving, meaning you'll be encountering intersections and changes in speed limits regularly. Be prepared for a consistent pace dictated by local traffic and road conditions rather than high-speed cruising.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 128.3 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and IL 33. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.9 miles in near IL 130 / 500E.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 17m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.9 miles (IL 130 / 500E): Navigation decision point; at 208.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 209.7 miles (US 45; US 52): Navigation decision point.
Marion is a city in Southern Illinois. Named in honor of Francis Marion and settled in 1839, Marion isn't exactly replete with places to see but has forests and recreational areas nearby.
Top landmarks
•Marion Veterans Affairs Medical Center — hospital in Marion, Illinois, United States
•Williamson County Jail — former county jail in Marion, Illinois
The longest stretch is about 128.3 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 16 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.
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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.9 miles (IL 130 / 500E): Navigation decision point; at 208.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 209.7 miles (US 45; US 52): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 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.
