Romeoville to O'Hare: A Lewis University Aviation Travel Guide

Lewis University's Aviation Program, Briefly

Lewis University has built one of the most respected collegiate aviation programs in the country, operating one of Illinois' largest training fleets — 56 aircraft, including Cessna 172s, Cessna 182s, and Piper Seminoles, all equipped for modern instrument training. The program is FAA-approved under both Part 141 and Part 61, letting eligible students work toward reduced-hour commercial and ATP certificates, and Lewis has a direct partnership with United Airlines' Aviate program — a genuine pipeline from flight training here into an airline career.

For a university this size, that's an unusually well-developed aviation identity, and it means Romeoville sees a meaningful stream of visitors specifically connected to it — not just typical campus-visit traffic.

Lewis University Airport: A Real Reliever Field, Not a Metaphor

The university sits adjacent to Lewis University Airport (IATA/FAA code LOT, ICAO KLOT), which isn't just a training strip — it's an FAA-designated general aviation reliever airport for both O'Hare and Midway, owned and operated by the Joliet Regional Port District since 1989. Beyond flight training, it supports corporate flight departments, hangar leasing, and general aviation traffic for Will County, with tens of millions invested in the facility over the years to serve corporate aircraft.

If your trip involves Lewis University Airport specifically — dropping off or picking up a flight student, visiting a corporate flight department, or connecting from a private aircraft — mention LOT specifically when you book, since it's a different pickup point than the university's main academic campus entrance.

If You're Visiting for a Campus Tour or Flight Training

A few practical notes depending on why you're flying into the area:

• Prospective students touring the aviation program often combine an academic visit with time at the airport itself — confirm with your admissions or aviation department contact whether your visit includes both stops, since they're on the same campus but not the same building.
• Flight training visitors — students starting a program, or visiting instructors — should have their specific arrival point (academic building vs. airport/hangar area) confirmed before booking, since Lewis' campus spans both.
• Family flying in for a student's flight training milestones — a first solo flight, a checkride, a graduation — often want to coordinate arrival timing around a specific event. Share that context when you book so dispatch can help plan around it.
• If your visit combines Lewis University with other Will County stops, like the nearby Isle a la Cache Museum along the Des Plaines River, mention the full itinerary so your pickup and any additional stops are planned together rather than booked separately.

I-355/I-294 and Timing From Romeoville

Romeoville-area trips to O'Hare typically route via I-355 and I-294. Under normal conditions, that's about 42 minutes. A few things that change it:

• Weekday rush hour (roughly 6:30–9:00am and 3:30–6:30pm) can add 15–25 minutes.
• I-355 and I-294 are fully electronic tollways. With I-PASS, tolls typically run a few dollars each way; without a transponder, expect a mailed bill at a higher rate. Rates are set by the Illinois Tollway and are subject to change — confirm current pricing at illinoistollway.com.

General buffer guidance: arrive about 2 hours before boarding for domestic flights and about 3 hours before boarding for international flights, with extra cushion if your visit is tied to a specific campus or airport event schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

See the current Romeoville to O'Hare flat rate and book your ride →

Flying back into O'Hare instead? See pickup details for O'Hare to Romeoville →

Related Reads

All Published Airport Taxi Rates · Airport Taxi for College Students · Bolingbrook to O'Hare · Plainfield to O'Hare · Woodridge to O'Hare · Joliet to O'Hare · Naperville to O'Hare

Program and airport details referenced in this guide reflect publicly available information as of 2026 and are subject to change. Confirm current campus access and visit details directly with Lewis University before your trip.