Origin
Morton, IL
Morning in Morton on Tuesday
Local time
8:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 26m
Distance
126.1 mi
203 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Morton, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Lockport, IL
Wikimedia Commons
This 126.1-mile drive from Morton, IL to Lockport, IL is designed for a single day, taking about 2 hours and 26 minutes to complete. You'll primarily be on major interstates, with a 92% highway share, making it a straightforward journey through the Midwest. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $20, so it's an economical option. With no designated stops in the data, this route is best suited for those who prefer a direct trip, allowing for flexibility in when and where you might choose to pause. It's a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently within Illinois.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
63 miles from Morton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 86.7 mi | 1h 33m |
| I 74 | 23.9 mi | 25m |
| I 80 | 5.1 mi | 6m |
| Broadway Street | 4.4 mi | 8m |
| West 9th Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Hickory Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East Jackson Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Morton Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Morton, IL and Lockport, IL.
Start on US 150
Turn right onto North Morton Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 74
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 55; US 51
Take the exit
Merge onto I 80
Take the exit
Continue on South Center Street
Continue on Hickory Street
Turn right onto Bridge Street
Turn left onto Broadway Street
Turn right onto IL 7
Arrive at destination
Given the relatively short 2 hour and 26 minute duration, this route is easily manageable as a day trip. You can depart at your convenience, but leaving earlier in the day can help you avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Lockport. Plan for one or two brief stops for fuel or a quick break during the 86.7-mile stretch on I-55 to stay refreshed. With a fuel cost estimated at $20, it’s an affordable drive, but always keep an eye on your gauge, particularly on longer interstate segments. This direct route offers the advantage of flexibility, so you can decide on spontaneous breaks as needed.
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.
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 28 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63 miles or 1h 10m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lockport, IL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Morton, 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 Morton, IL
This is one driving day of about 126.1 miles and 2h 26m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 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.
A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 63 miles from Morton, 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 86.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 24.9 and 118.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork toward I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto I 55; US 51
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Indiana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Center Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Regular Gas
$19.71 one way
$39.43 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.65 | $43.29 |
| premium | $4.89 | $24.27 | $48.53 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.84 | $55.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.8 | 0 | $13.24 | $6.05 |
| Efficient EV | 31.5 | 0 | $11.03 | $5.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.4 | 0 | $17.65 | $8.07 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Morton on Tuesday
Local time
8:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Lockport on Tuesday
Local time
8:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
68°F
Fairbury, IL
63 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 126.1-mile trip. With a 92% highway share, the majority of your time will be spent on major interstates like I-55, I-74, and I-80. The longest uninterrupted stretch you’ll encounter is 86.7 miles on I-55, indicating a significant period of consistent driving. This profile suggests a drive that prioritizes speed and directness over leisurely exploration, with the landscape likely unfolding at a steady pace from your window.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 74. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 24.9 miles in.
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 126.1 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 24.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.3 miles (I 55; US 51): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 113 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 26m. Total distance: 126.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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