Upper Alton, IL to Lockport, IL is 251 miles and takes about 4h 48m via I 55 and I 80, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Illinois, connecting two points in the Midwest. It's a straightforward trip, mostly on interstates, making it a convenient option if you're looking for efficiency. Plan for a single day to cover the distance, as it's easily manageable within a few hours of driving.
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
125.5 miles from Upper Alton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
219.9 mi
3h 56m
State Route 140
9.7 mi
13m
I 80
5.1 mi
6m
Broadway Street
4.4 mi
8m
College Avenue
2.4 mi
3m
West Bethalto Drive
1.8 mi
3m
West MacArthur Drive
1.4 mi
2m
West Macarthur Drive
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 219.9 mi, about 3h 56m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,689 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,115
Quietest
2 AM
~152 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 52 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 Upper Alton, IL and Lockport, IL.
1
Start on Washington Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Washington Avenue
2
Turn left onto IL 140
2.4 mi·3 min·College Avenue
3
Continue on IL 111; IL 140
1.3 mi·2 min·West Macarthur Drive
4
Continue on IL 111; IL 140
1.4 mi·2 min·West MacArthur Drive
5
Continue on IL 140
1.8 mi·3 min·West Bethalto Drive
6
Continue on IL 140
9.6 mi·13 min·State Route 140
7
Continue on IL 140
0.8 mi·1 min·West State Street
8
Continue on IL 140
443 ft·13 sec·State Route 140
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
10
Merge onto I 55
97 mi·1 hr 44 min·I 55
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
94 mi·1 hr 40 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 250AToward I 80 East: IndianaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 80
5.1 mi·6 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 131Toward Center Street
16
Continue on South Center Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·South Center Street
17
Continue on Hickory Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Hickory Street
18
Turn right onto Bridge Street
348 ft·17 sec·Bridge Street
19
Turn left onto Broadway Street
4.4 mi·8 min·Broadway Street
20
Turn right onto IL 7
1.0 mi·1 min·West 9th Street
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
IL 7
Trip Plan
Given this is a single-day trip of under 5 hours, you have flexibility on when to depart. Leaving in the morning should allow ample time to reach your destination before evening. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $39, you can easily plan your fuel needs. The longest continuous stretch is on I 55, so consider taking a break before or after this section for comfort. Keep an eye on traffic, especially as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area.
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 125.5 miles from Upper Alton, IL, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 219.9 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 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.5 miles or 2h 25m 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 Lockport, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Upper Alton, 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 Upper Alton, IL
This is one driving day of about 251 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Upper Alton, 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 219.9 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 17.8 and 238.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
17.8 mi into trip|~28m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
7
114.8 mi into trip|~2h 13m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
144.2 mi into trip|~2h 45m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
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 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7
238 mi into trip|~4h 26m 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
238.7 mi into trip|~4h 27m in|I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.07 one way
$74.13 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$40.92
$81.84
premium
$4.72
$46.60
$93.21
diesel
$4.80
$47.39
$94.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.3
0
$26.36
$12.05
Efficient EV
62.8
0
$21.96
$10.04
EV Truck/SUV
100.4
1
$35.14
$16.06
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 Jul 20, 2026
Origin
Upper Alton, IL
Evening
in Upper Alton on Monday
Local time
7:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
SW 3 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 20 at 10:45AM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 20 at 8:38AM CDT until July 21 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Lockport, IL
Evening
in Lockport on Monday
Local time
7:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
SW 10 to 15 mph24% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 20 at 10:45AM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 20 at 8:38AM CDT until July 21 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
67°F
Athens, 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
11 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
4h 48m 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...
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
near mile 251
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is primarily highway driving, with 93% of the route on interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 219.9 miles on I 55, which means you'll encounter many exits and services before transitioning to State Route 140 and then I 80. Expect consistent cruising speeds for most of your travel time.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 219.9 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 17.8 miles in.
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 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 17.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 114.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
779 ft544 ft
Total Climb
405 ft
Total Descent
356 ft
Highest Point
779 ft
~161.4 mi in
Elevation Range
236 ft
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 Upper Alton, IL to Lockport, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 48m. Total distance: 251 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 48m 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 219.9 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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 Lockport, 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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 114.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Lockport, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
