Origin
Lockport, IL
Afternoon in Lockport on Sunday
Local time
2:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lockport, IL to Granite City, IL
Drive Time
4h 53m
Distance
259.4 mi
417 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
Lockport, IL
Stéphane Tendon
Granite City, IL
Patrick
Trip Overview
Spanning 259.4 miles across the Illinois landscape, this trip from Lockport to Granite City is a straightforward journey typically taking about 4 hours and 53 minutes. Because the route is compact and efficient, it works perfectly as a single-day drive, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stop. You can expect to spend approximately $39 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly way to navigate the Midwest. Since 95% of your time will be spent on major highways, the trip remains focused on consistency and speed. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick visit, this route offers a reliable connection between these two Illinois cities.
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
129.7 miles from Lockport, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a classic interstate experience on this highway-focused route, which relies heavily on I-55, I-270, and I-80. The vast majority of your time behind the wheel involves a long, consistent haul, highlighted by a 230.6-mile stretch exclusively on I-55. Because 95% of the trip is highway-based, the drive is designed for efficiency rather than winding, scenic detours. You will find that the road maintains a predictable pace, allowing you to settle into a rhythm as you traverse the state. It is a functional, high-speed corridor that prioritizes getting you to your destination with minimal navigation complexity.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 230.6 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 early in the drive near IL 171 / South State Street.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 259.4 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: near the start (IL 171 / South State Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 106 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 243.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
IL 171 / South State Street
Turn right onto IL 171 / South State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
106 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
|
I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
7
243.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 31m in
Take the exit toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 20B
Toward I 270 West: Kansas City
7
253.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 43m in
Take the exit toward IL 203: Granite City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 4
Toward IL 203: Granite City
6
253.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward IL 203 South: Granite City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward IL 203 South: Granite City
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Lockport, IL to Granite City, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
Springfield
106 mi in
|
~2h 3m
|
via I 55
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 230.6 mi | 4h 8m |
| I 270 | 9.5 mi | 11m |
| I 80 | 7 mi | 8m |
| Nameoki Road | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| South State Street | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| Collins Street | 2 mi | 4m |
| Madison Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Richards Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 230.6 mi, about 4h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lockport, IL and Granite City, IL.
1
Start on IL 7
110 ft
·
6 sec
·
West 9th Street
2
Turn right onto IL 171
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
South State Street
Use the none lane.
3
Continue on IL 171
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Collins Street
Use the none lane.
4
Continue on US 6; US 30
404 ft
·
18 sec
·
East Jefferson Street
5
Turn left onto Richards Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Richards Street
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island
7
Merge onto I 80
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
I 80
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 126A
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
9
Merge onto I 55
93 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
I 55
Use the none / right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
65 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
73 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 20B
Toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 270
9.5 mi
·
11 min
·
I 270
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 4
Toward IL 203: Granite City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
Toward IL 203 South: Granite City
16
Keep slight left at fork
329 ft
·
11 sec
Toward IL 203 South: Granite City
17
Turn left onto IL 203
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Nameoki Road
18
Turn right onto Madison Avenue
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Madison Avenue
19
Turn right onto Niedringhaus Avenue
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Niedringhaus Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
Niedringhaus Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 53-minute journey, plan to depart early to avoid potential congestion on the interstate. While you only need to schedule one stop to stay refreshed, having that flexibility allows you to break up the long 230.6-mile stretch on I-55 at a time that suits your energy levels. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the trip, as current estimates suggest a $39 expense. Since this is a single-day commitment, try to time your drive to avoid peak commuter traffic near major interchanges. Staying alert during the long highway segments is key, so don't hesitate to pull over for a quick stretch if you start to feel the monotony of the open road.
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 129.7 miles from Lockport, IL, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 230.6 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.7 miles or 2h 28m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Granite City, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lockport, 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 Lockport, IL
This is one driving day of about 259.4 miles and 4h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lockport, 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 230.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 129.7 mi from Lockport, IL · 2h 28m 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 129.7 miles from Lockport, 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 230.6 miles.
Arriving in Granite City, IL
The final approach into Granite City, 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 Granite City, 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
$39.40 one way
$78.80 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
91 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $43.43 | $86.87 |
| premium | $4.80 | $48.97 | $97.94 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $57.63 | $115.26 |
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: 90.8 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 | $27.24 | $12.45 |
| Efficient EV | 64.9 | 0 | $22.70 | $10.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 103.8 | 1 | $36.32 | $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
Granite City, IL
Afternoon in Granite City on Sunday
Local time
2:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 53m 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 Lockport, IL to Granite City, IL covers 259.4 miles and takes about 4h 53m 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 129.7 miles from Lockport, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.40 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 15 significant decision points across 259.4 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: near the start (IL 171 / South State Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 106 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 243.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Lockport, IL to Granite City, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
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