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Trip from Morton, IL to Lockport, IL

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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

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 16m ★
6 AM
2h 26m
8 AM
2h 46m
10 AM
2h 33m
12 PM
2h 31m
3 PM
2h 34m
5 PM
2h 45m
8 PM
2h 20m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

village in Tazewell County, Illinois

Morton, IL

Wikimedia Commons

city in Will County, Illinois, United States

Lockport, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

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 .

Main Roads

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
Longest stretch: I 55 — 86.7 mi, about 1h 33m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Morton, IL and Lockport, IL.

1

Start on US 150

0.4 mi · 49 sec · East Jackson Street
2

Turn right onto North Morton Avenue

0.3 mi · 39 sec · North Morton Avenue
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 46 sec
Toward I 74 East: Bloomington
4

Merge onto I 74

24 mi · 25 min · I 74
5

Keep slight left at fork

1.4 mi · 2 min
Toward I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
6

Merge onto I 55; US 51

87 mi · 1 hr 33 min · I 55; US 51
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 250A Toward I 80 East: Indiana Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto I 80

5.1 mi · 6 min · I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 131 Toward Center Street
10

Continue on South Center Street

0.3 mi · 38 sec · South Center Street
11

Continue on Hickory Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Hickory Street
12

Turn right onto Bridge Street

348 ft · 17 sec · Bridge Street
13

Turn left onto Broadway Street

4.4 mi · 8 min · Broadway Street
14

Turn right onto IL 7

1.0 mi · 1 min · West 9th Street
Use the left lane.
15

Arrive at destination

IL 7

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 63 miles from Morton, IL, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.7 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 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.

Before You Leave

+

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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Morton, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 86.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Livingston County, Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Fairbury, IL

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Normal, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fairbury, IL

Meal break

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 check

Top 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.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

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.

6
24.9 mi into trip | ~27m in

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

Toward I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
5
26.3 mi into trip | ~30m in | I 55; US 51

Merge onto I 55; US 51

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
113 mi into trip | ~2h 3m in

Take the exit toward I 80 East: Indiana

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 250A Toward I 80 East: Indiana
5
113.8 mi into trip | ~2h 4m in | I 80

Merge onto I 80

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
118.8 mi into trip | ~2h 11m in

Take the exit toward Center Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 131 Toward Center Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.71 one way

$39.43 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO2
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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Morton, IL

Morning in Morton on Tuesday

Local time

8:24 AM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lockport, IL

Morning in Lockport on Tuesday

Local time

8:24 AM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

1 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

2h 26m on the road

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.

What kind of drive is this?

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.

92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.7 mi on I 55.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

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.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 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.

Who Is This Route For?

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 86.7 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lockport, IL before heading back.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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