How far is Buckeye, IL from Rockford, IL?
The driving distance from Buckeye, IL to Rockford, IL is about 185 miles (297.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135.2 miles (217.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 05m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Village in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buckeye and Rockford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buckeye and Rockford.
-
1
Start on County Road 2
2.4 mi · 6 min · County Road 2
-
2
Turn right
6.2 mi · 11 min
-
3
Turn left onto State Route 97
4.8 mi · 8 min · State Route 97
-
4
Continue on North East Street
10.6 mi · 18 min · North East Street
-
5
Keep slight left
10.6 mi · 15 min
-
6
Continue on US 150 / IL 97
2729 ft · 48 sec · US 150 / IL 97
-
7
Take the ramp left toward I 74 West: Galesburg
1921 ft · 47 sec
-
8
Merge slight left
39.3 mi · 42 min
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
6.3 mi · 7 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
78.8 mi · 1 hr 25 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 39 North, US 51 North: Rockford
2271 ft · 1 min
-
12
Merge slight left
21.5 mi · 23 min
-
13
Take the exit slight left toward US 20 West: Freeport, Rockford
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
14
Merge slight left onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
4.7 mi · 5 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward IL 2: Rockford, Dixon
1810 ft · 44 sec
-
16
Keep slight right
86 m · 7 sec
-
17
Turn straight onto South Main Street
3.7 mi · 6 min · South Main Street
-
18
Turn right onto West State Street
45 m · 4 sec · West State Street
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West State Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buckeye and Rockford.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 88 East
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
78.8 mi · 01h 25m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Buckeye and Sunny near Rockford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Buckeye to Rockford?
The road trip is about 185 miles (297.7 km) and usually takes 03h 05m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Hillsdale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 95.8 miles from Buckeye and 89.2 miles from Rockford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135.2 miles (217.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:50 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.62 one way or $49.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Buckeye and Sunny near Rockford.
Stop Ideas Near Hillsdale
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 Hillsdale.
Moline, Illinois
Rock Island, IL
Davenport, Iowa
Kewanee
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Buckeye and Rockford. Straight-line distance: 135.23 mi (217.63 km).
#1 Buckeye
Township in Stephenson County, Illinois
| Population | 1,251 |
| Coordinates | 40.5319800, -90.2909600 |
| Altitude | 165 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Rockford
The second most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 144,835 |
| Coordinates | 42.2711300, -89.0940000 |
| Altitude | 218 |
| Country | United States |
End: West State Street (-89.094046, 42.271066)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 298 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.62 | $49.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.77 | $55.54 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.39 | $60.78 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $34.64 | $69.27 |
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 · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.