Trip from Lockport, IL to Upper Alton, IL

Drive Time

4h 49m

Distance

251.3 mi

405 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Lockport, IL

Stéphane Tendon

Trip Overview

Spanning 251.3 miles across Illinois, this journey from Lockport to Upper Alton is a straightforward trek through the Midwest. You should plan for approximately 4 hours and 49 minutes of driving time, making it a manageable day trip if you get an early start. Budget about $38 for fuel to cover the distance, which primarily utilizes I-55, I-80, and State Route 140. Because the trip is relatively efficient, you likely won't need an overnight stay unless you prefer a leisurely pace. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that connects two distinct parts of the state with ease, perfect for travelers prioritizing efficiency over scenic detours.

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

125.7 miles from Lockport, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 24m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a highly efficient experience, as 94% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-55, which accounts for a massive 220.4-mile uninterrupted stretch. This makes the journey feel more like a steady, focused interstate grind than a winding backroads adventure. Once you exit the main highway system, the final transition onto State Route 140 shifts the pace as you approach Upper Alton. Be prepared for long, consistent periods behind the wheel where maintaining a steady cruising speed is the primary objective.

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 220.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and State Route 140. 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 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 251.3 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: near the start (IL 171 / South State Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

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.

5.6 mi into trip | ~13m in | I 80

Merge onto I 80

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

Use the none lane.

12.6 mi into trip | ~21m in

Take the exit toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 126A Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

13 mi into trip | ~22m in | I 55

Merge onto I 55

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

Use the none / right lanes.

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

Towns Along This Route

Between Lockport, IL and Upper Alton, IL, road signs point toward Springfield and Greenville.

Springfield

106 mi in | ~2h 3m | via I 55

Greenville

233.4 mi in | ~4h 20m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 55	220.4 mi	3h 57m
State Route 140	9.6 mi	13m
I 80	7 mi	8m
South State Street	2.7 mi	5m
College Avenue	2.4 mi	4m
Collins Street	2 mi	4m
East Bethalto Drive	1.8 mi	3m
East MacArthur Drive	1.4 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 55 — 220.4 mi, about 3h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on IL 7

110 ft · 6 sec · West 9th Street

Turn right onto IL 171

2.7 mi · 5 min · South State Street

Use the none lane.

Continue on IL 171

2.0 mi · 4 min · Collins Street

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 6; US 30

404 ft · 18 sec · East Jefferson Street

Turn left onto Richards Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Richards Street

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island

Merge onto I 80

7.0 mi · 8 min · I 80

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 54 sec

Exit 126A Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Merge onto I 55

93 mi · 1 hr 40 min · I 55

Use the none / right lanes.

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.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

63 mi · 1 hr 7 min · I 55

Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Toward IL 140: Alton, Greenville

Turn right onto IL 140

0.7 mi · 1 min · East State Street

Continue on IL 140

9.6 mi · 13 min · State Route 140

Continue on IL 140

1.8 mi · 3 min · East Bethalto Drive

Continue on IL 111; IL 140

1.4 mi · 2 min · East MacArthur Drive

Continue on IL 111; IL 140

1.3 mi · 2 min · West Macarthur Drive

Continue on IL 111; IL 140

2.4 mi · 4 min · College Avenue

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto Washington Avenue

0.6 mi · 59 sec · Washington Avenue

Arrive at destination

Washington Avenue

Trip Plan

Since this is a single-day commitment, aim to leave Lockport early to avoid peak traffic congestion on the major interstates. You only need to plan for one major stop to refuel and stretch your legs, which helps keep your total travel time close to the 4-hour and 49-minute mark. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during that 220.4-mile stretch on I-55, as consistent highway speeds can deplete your tank faster than expected. Having the flexibility to depart mid-morning can also prove advantageous, as it allows you to bypass the heaviest commuter windows while still arriving in Upper Alton with plenty of daylight left.

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 125.7 miles from Lockport, IL, or about 2h 24m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 220.4 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 125.7 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 51m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Upper Alton, 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 251.3 miles and 4h 49m.

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 220.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 125.7 mi from Lockport, IL · 2h 24m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bloomington, IL

126 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bloomington, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 125.7 miles from Lockport, 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 220.4 miles.

Arriving in Upper Alton, IL

The final approach into Upper Alton, 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 Upper Alton, 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

$38.17 one way

$76.34 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 88 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$42.08	$84.16
premium	$4.80	$47.44	$94.88
diesel	$5.64	$55.83	$111.66

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$38

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$63–$88

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 87.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	75.4	0	$26.39	$12.06
Efficient EV	62.8	0	$21.99	$10.05
EV Truck/SUV	100.5	1	$35.18	$16.08

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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Lockport, IL

Afternoon in Lockport on Sunday

Local time

2:17 PM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Upper Alton, IL

Afternoon in Upper Alton on Sunday

Local time

2:17 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

53°F

Bloomington, 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

10 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 49m 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 Upper Alton, IL covers 251.3 miles and takes about 4h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 55, State Route 140, 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 125.7 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 $38.17 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.

Between Lockport, IL and Upper Alton, IL, road signs point toward Springfield and Greenville.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Upper Alton, IL

Bloomington, IL 149 mi · 2h 27m

More from Lockport, IL

Crestwood, IL 311.8 mi · 6h 3m Frankfort, IL 289.4 mi · 5h 33m Granite City, IL 259.4 mi · 4h 53m Godfrey, IL 255.6 mi · 4h 52m Collinsville, IL 252.1 mi · 4h 43m La Grange, IL 222.3 mi · 4h 47m

Explore more options from Lockport, IL or browse trips ending in Upper Alton, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

Explore maps for Lockport, IL or Upper Alton, IL on MapSof.net.