Origin
Wheeling, IL
Late night in Wheeling on Tuesday
Local time
5:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wheeling, IL to Lockport, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 3m
Distance
47.1 mi
76 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 59m
★
6 AM
1h 4m
8 AM
1h 14m
10 AM
1h 7m
12 PM
1h 6m
3 PM
1h 8m
5 PM
1h 13m
8 PM
1h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wheeling, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Lockport, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 47.1-mile drive from Wheeling, IL to Lockport, IL is designed for a single day, clocking in at just over an hour. Primarily utilizing major roads like I-355 and IL-53, with a portion on Palatine Road, the journey is largely highway-focused, making it an efficient trip. With a modest estimated fuel cost of around $7, this route offers a practical option for those looking to travel between these Midwest locations without a significant time or financial commitment. Its direct nature means you won't need to plan for overnight stays, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 355 | 27.6 mi | 33m |
| IL 53 | 10.2 mi | 13m |
| Palatine Road | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| East 9th Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| South Elmhurst Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| North Elmhurst Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| West 159th Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| West Frontage Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 355
— 27.6 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wheeling, IL and Lockport, IL.
1
Start on Railroad Avenue
33 ft
·
5 sec
·
Railroad Avenue
2
Turn right onto IL 68
168 ft
·
31 sec
·
West Dundee Road
3
Continue on IL 68
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West Dundee Road
4
Turn left onto IL 83
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Elmhurst Road
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on IL 83
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Elmhurst Road
6
Turn right onto West Frontage Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Frontage Road
7
Turn left onto Schoenbeck Road
28 ft
·
3 sec
·
Schoenbeck Road
8
Turn right onto Palatine Road
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Palatine Road
Use the left lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward IL 53 South
10
Merge onto IL 53
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
7.0 mi
·
9 min
·
IL 53
Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 355
28 mi
·
33 min
·
I 355
Exit 7
Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
Use the slight left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 4
Toward IL 7: 159th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto IL 7
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West 159th Street
Use the right lane.
15
Continue on IL 7
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
East 9th Street
16
Arrive at destination
IL 7
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 23.5 miles from Wheeling, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 115 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 44 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
IL 68 / West Dundee Road
Turn right onto IL 68 / West Dundee Road
Navigation decision point
6
3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
Palatine Road
Turn right onto Palatine Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
9.4 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
IL 53
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53 toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
8
16.4 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
I 355
Keep slight left at fork onto I 355 toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 7
Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
7
44 mi into trip
|
~57m 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
$7.36 one way
$14.73 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $8.08 | $16.17 |
| premium | $4.89 | $9.06 | $18.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.40 | $20.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.1 | 0 | $4.95 | $2.26 |
| Efficient EV | 11.8 | 0 | $4.12 | $1.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.59 | $3.01 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (63% 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.
Destination
Lockport, IL
Late night in Lockport on Tuesday
Local time
5:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
22 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
1h 3m 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-centric experience for about 80% of this 47.1-mile route. The drive will feature significant stretches on I-355, including a continuous segment of 27.6 miles, offering a consistent pace. You'll transition to IL-53 and Palatine Road, which may introduce more local traffic and varied speed limits compared to the interstate. This route provides a good balance of efficient highway travel and shorter, potentially busier, road segments as you approach your destination.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27.6 mi on I 355.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 355 and IL 53. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IL 68 / West Dundee Road.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 47.1 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: near the start (IL 68 / West Dundee Road): Navigation decision point; at 3 miles (Palatine Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 3m. Total distance: 47.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27.6 miles on I 355. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IL 68 / West Dundee Road): Navigation decision point; at 3 miles (Palatine Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Lockport, IL
More from Wheeling, IL
More trips to Lockport, IL
Explore more options from Wheeling, IL or browse trips ending in Lockport, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.