How far is Sterling, IL from Lockport, IL?
The driving distance from Sterling, IL to Lockport, IL is about 109.2 miles (175.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 85.6 miles (137.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 46m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in DeKalb County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling and Lockport.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling and Lockport.
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1
Start on Locust Street
764 ft · 15 sec · Locust Street
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2
Keep slight right to continue on East 2nd Street
144 m · 10 sec · East 2nd Street
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3
Turn straight onto 1st Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · 1st Avenue
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4
Turn left onto East Rock Falls Road
2.9 mi · 4 min · East Rock Falls Road
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5
Take the ramp left
1563 ft · 39 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
86.2 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet
1961 ft · 48 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 355 South: Joliet
2223 ft · 54 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
14.3 mi · 17 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward IL 7: 159th Street
2113 ft · 52 sec
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11
Turn right onto West 159th Street
1.2 km · 1 min · West 159th Street
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12
Continue on East 9th Street
1.9 mi · 4 min · East 9th Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling and Lockport.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
86.2 mi · 01h 35m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Sterling and Showers And Thunderstorms near Lockport.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling to Lockport?
The road trip is about 109.2 miles (175.8 km) and usually takes 01h 46m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Cortland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 54.6 miles from Sterling and 54.7 miles from Lockport.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 85.6 miles (137.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:56 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.96 one way or $35.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Sterling and Showers And Thunderstorms near Lockport.
Stop Ideas Near Cortland
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Cortland.
Plano
Rockford, Illinois
Naperville
Mendota station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling and Lockport. Straight-line distance: 85.64 mi (137.83 km).
#1 Sterling
City in Whiteside County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 14,313 |
| Coordinates | 41.7886400, -89.6962200 |
| Altitude | 201 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lockport
The most populous city in Will County, Illinois.
| Population | 59,877 |
| Coordinates | 41.5894800, -88.0578400 |
| Altitude | 181 |
| Country | United States |
End: West 9th Street (-88.057844, 41.589471)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 176 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $17.96 | $35.92 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $20.37 | $40.75 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $22.47 | $44.94 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $25.30 | $50.60 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Illinois · Oct 15, 2026