The outbound: VI to Eleko
Start at Falomo roundabout in Ikoyi by 8am. Cross the Lekki-Ikoyi bridge (₦300 toll for cars) onto Ozumba Mbadiwe, then straight onto Lekki-Epe Expressway heading east. First stop at km 15: Lekki Conservation Centre. Back on the road by 11am, past Chevron toll (₦300) and Ajah, second stop at km 35: Novare Lekki Mall for a bathroom and cold drink.
Push on past Sangotedo and Awoyaya. Third stop at km 55: Eleko Beach turn-off. Park, pay ₦2,000 entry, walk down. This is the wildest Atlantic beach within an hour of the city.
The return: back through Ibeju-Lekki
Leave Eleko by 3pm. Fourth stop: La Campagne Tropicana at km 60 (further east — a small backtrack) for late lunch on the water. Or skip it and stop at Amen Estate for a coffee if you’re curious about the new-money side of Ibeju-Lekki.
Fifth stop on the way back: Lakowe Lakes for a drink at the clubhouse — non-members can usually access the restaurant. Sixth and last stop: Circle Mall in Jakande for supermarket runs before you cross back over the toll. You’ll hit VI by 7pm if you left Eleko at 3pm sharp.
Sleep and warnings
Sleep back in Lekki Phase 1 — the Radisson, Ferndale, or Bluebell all put you 10 minutes from the bridge. The drive is boring in the wrong lane and thrilling in the right one; keep your fuel above half tank because petrol queues on the expressway are common. Avoid this loop on Sundays after 4pm — the church return traffic from Ibeju-Lekki toward VI is brutal.
Bon à savoir
How much are the tolls?+
Two tolls each way: Lekki-Ikoyi bridge (₦300) and Chevron toll (₦300). Budget ₦1,200 for the full round trip. Cards accepted at both.
Can I do this without a driver?+
You can, if you’re comfortable with Lagos driving. The expressway is straightforward; it's the merges near Ajah and the potholes past Awoyaya that trip up first-timers. Rent from Sixt or a local outfit like Muvment.