Origin
Granite City, IL
Afternoon in Granite City on Sunday
Local time
3:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Granite City, IL to Lockport, IL
Drive Time
4h 52m
Distance
259.3 mi
417 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 39m
★
6 AM
4h 53m
8 AM
5h 20m
10 AM
5h 2m
12 PM
4h 59m
3 PM
5h 4m
5 PM
5h 18m
8 PM
4h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Granite City, IL
Patrick
Lockport, IL
Stéphane Tendon
Trip Overview
Spanning 259.3 miles across Illinois, this trek from Granite City to Lockport is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 52 minutes. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major interstates, making this a highly efficient route for those looking to reach their destination quickly. With a manageable fuel cost of approximately $39, it is an economical choice for a single-day trip. Given the duration, you can easily complete this drive in one go without the need for an overnight stay. It serves as a reliable connector through the heart of the Midwest, trading rural landscapes for the suburban density of the northern part of the state.
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
129.6 miles from Granite City, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 24m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a focused interstate experience, as 95% of your trip consists of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-55, which serves as the primary artery for this 230.5-mile stretch. The route also utilizes segments of I-270 and I-80 to facilitate your transition between regions. Because this is a highway-focused drive, the pace remains consistent and predictable throughout the journey. You won't find many technical local roads here; instead, you get a steady, efficient cruise that keeps you moving toward your goal with minimal disruption.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 230.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 270. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 259.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 15.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
15.5 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward I 55 North: Chicago, Springfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 15B
Toward I 55 North: Chicago, Springfield
7
123 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
152.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m 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 none lane.
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7
246.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 30m 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
6
253.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 42m in
|
Broadway Street
Turn left onto Broadway Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between Granite City, IL and Lockport, IL, road signs point toward Springfield and Peoria.
Springfield
15.5 mi in
|
~21m
Peoria
152.4 mi in
|
~2h 49m
|
via I 55
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 230.5 mi | 4h 8m |
| I 270 | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| I 80 | 5.1 mi | 6m |
| Broadway Street | 4.4 mi | 8m |
| Nameoki Road | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| Madison Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| West 9th Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Hickory Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 230.5 mi, about 4h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Granite City, IL and Lockport, IL.
1
Start on Niedringhaus Avenue
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Niedringhaus Avenue
2
Turn left onto Madison Avenue
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Madison Avenue
3
Turn left onto IL 203
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Nameoki Road
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 270 East: Effingham
5
Merge onto I 270
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
I 270
Use the none lane.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 15B
Toward I 55 North: Chicago, Springfield
7
Merge onto I 55
107 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
I 55
Use the none lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
94 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Use the none lane.
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 250A
Toward I 80 East: Indiana
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 80
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
I 80
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 131
Toward Center Street
13
Continue on South Center Street
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
South Center Street
14
Continue on Hickory Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Hickory Street
15
Turn right onto Bridge Street
348 ft
·
17 sec
·
Bridge Street
16
Turn left onto Broadway Street
4.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Broadway Street
Use the none lane.
17
Turn right onto IL 7
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West 9th Street
Use the none lane.
18
Arrive at destination
IL 7
Trip Plan
Since this trip is roughly five hours long, plan for at least one strategic stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic congestion as you approach the destination near Lockport. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge when entering the longest 230.5-mile stretch on I-55 to ensure you aren't forced to stop at higher-priced stations. Because the entire route is within Illinois, you can enjoy the flexibility of a single-day itinerary without worrying about state-line logistics. Use your one planned stop to break up the monotony of the interstate and keep your focus sharp for the final leg of your journey.
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 129.6 miles from Granite City, IL, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 230.5 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 80 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.6 miles or 2h 24m 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 54m
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 Granite City, 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 Granite City, IL
This is one driving day of about 259.3 miles and 4h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Granite City, 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 230.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 129.6 mi from Granite City, IL · 2h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
130 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 129.6 miles from Granite City, 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 230.5 miles.
Arriving in Lockport, IL
The final approach into Lockport, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Lockport, IL.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.39 one way
$78.77 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
91 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $43.42 | $86.83 |
| premium | $4.80 | $48.95 | $97.90 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $57.61 | $115.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77.8 | 0 | $27.23 | $12.45 |
| Efficient EV | 64.8 | 0 | $22.69 | $10.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 103.7 | 1 | $36.30 | $16.60 |
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 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.
Destination
Lockport, IL
Afternoon in Lockport on Sunday
Local time
3:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
53°F
Bloomington, IL
130 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
30 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 52m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Granite City, IL to Lockport, IL covers 259.3 miles and takes about 4h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, I 270, I 80. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 129.6 miles from Granite City, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.39 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 259.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 15.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Granite City, IL and Lockport, IL, road signs point toward Springfield and Peoria.
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