Washington, IL to Lockport, IL is 113.1 miles and takes about 2h 28m via I 55, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, making it a straightforward, single-day trip without crossing state lines. It's primarily a highway-focused journey, meaning you'll spend most of your time on the interstate. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B with minimal fuss. The estimated fuel cost of $18 makes it an affordable option for a quick getaway or errand.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.6 miles from Washington, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 18m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 28m. Total distance: 113.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
This is a highway-focused drive, with 61% of the route utilizing major interstates like I 55. Expect a good portion of your 2h 28m journey to be spent on this high-speed corridor. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 63.3 miles on I 55, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While the focus is on efficient travel, you will transition to local roads like East State Street and West Main Street as you approach your destination, offering a slight change of pace. Overall, anticipate a smooth, predominantly interstate experience.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 63.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and East State Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 24 Business / Peoria Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 28m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 24 Business / Peoria Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (US 24 Business / Walnut Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 36.4 miles: Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 24 Business / Peoria Street
Turn left onto US 24 Business / Peoria Street
Navigation decision point
7
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 24 Business / Walnut Street
Enter roundabout onto US 24 Business / Walnut Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
36.4 mi into trip|~56m in
Take the ramp toward I 55 North: Joliet
Navigation decision point
Toward I 55 North: Joliet
5
36.8 mi into trip|~57m in|I 55
Merge onto I 55
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
100.1 mi into trip|~2h 5m 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
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
63.3 mi
1h 8m
East State Street
11.8 mi
17m
West Main Street
9.2 mi
14m
East 3100 North Road
7 mi
9m
I 80
5.1 mi
6m
Broadway Street
4.4 mi
8m
Eureka Road
3 mi
5m
West Center Street
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 63.3 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Washington, IL and Lockport, IL.
1
Start on this road
91 ft·12 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto US 24 Business
153 ft·7 sec·Peoria Street
3
Enter roundabout onto US 24 Business
312 ft·16 sec·Walnut Street
4
Continue on US 24 Business
1.0 mi·1 min·Walnut Street
5
Continue on US 24 Business
3.0 mi·5 min·Eureka Road
6
Continue on US 24 Business
1.0 mi·1 min·County Road 800 North
7
Continue on US 24 Business
0.9 mi·1 min·County Road 1200 East
8
Turn right onto US 24
0.3 mi·29 sec·US Highway 24
9
Continue on US 24
2.0 mi·3 min·West Center Street
10
Continue on US 24
12 mi·17 min·East State Street
11
Continue on US 24
9.2 mi·14 min·West Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on US 24
7.0 mi·9 min·East 3100 North Road
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 55 North: Joliet
14
Merge onto I 55
63 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 55
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 250AToward I 80 East: IndianaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 80
5.1 mi·6 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 131Toward Center Street
18
Continue on South Center Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·South Center Street
19
Continue on Hickory Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Hickory Street
20
Turn right onto Bridge Street
348 ft·17 sec·Bridge Street
21
Turn left onto Broadway Street
4.4 mi·8 min·Broadway Street
22
Turn right onto IL 7
1.0 mi·1 min·West 9th Street
Use the left lane.
23
Arrive at destination
IL 7
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2h 28m duration, this trip is easily completed in one day. You can afford to leave mid-morning to avoid rush hour, allowing for a relaxed start. With only 113.1 miles and an estimated fuel cost of $18, you won't need to worry excessively about frequent fuel stops. The longest stretch on I 55 is over 63 miles, so plan your last restroom break before you get on that segment. Since this is a single-day drive through Illinois, keep an eye on local traffic reports for I 55, especially closer to the Chicago metropolitan area.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 56.6 miles from Washington, IL, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.3 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 25 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.6 miles or 1h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 57m
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 Washington, 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 Washington, IL
This is one driving day of about 113.1 miles and 2h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Washington, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 63.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 56.6 mi from Washington, IL
· 1h 18m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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 113.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.68 one way
$35.36 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$19.41
$38.83
premium
$4.89
$21.77
$43.53
diesel
$5.61
$24.97
$49.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.9
0
$11.88
$5.43
Efficient EV
28.3
0
$9.90
$4.52
EV Truck/SUV
45.2
0
$15.83
$7.24
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Washington, IL
Night
in Washington on Friday
Local time
10:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lockport, IL
Night
in Lockport on Friday
Local time
10:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Gardner, IL
57 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
20 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
2h 28m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Washington, IL to Lockport, IL covers 113.1 miles and takes about 2h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, East State Street, West Main Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 56.6 miles from Washington, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.68 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 2h 28m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 24 Business / Peoria Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (US 24 Business / Walnut Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 36.4 miles: Navigation decision point.
The route from Washington, IL to Lockport, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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.
