How far is Buena Vista, IL from Rockford, IL?
The driving distance from Buena Vista, IL to Rockford, IL is about 388.4 miles (625 km), with a travel time of about 06h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 314.4 miles (505.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 01m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
The most populous city in Macon County, Illinois.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buena Vista and Rockford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buena Vista and Rockford.
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1
Start on the route
50 m · 15 sec
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2
Turn right onto Poplar Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Poplar Street
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3
Turn right
22 mi · 27 min
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4
Take the exit slight right
1.1 mi · 2 min
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5
Merge slight left onto Ken Gray Expressway
41.3 mi · 45 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
20.5 mi · 22 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
2199 ft · 54 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto West Main Street
2.4 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
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9
Continue on East Poplar Street
2.7 mi · 3 min · East Poplar Street
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10
Continue on Poplar
2.7 mi · 3 min · Poplar
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11
Turn right onto 150E
10.4 mi · 12 min · 150E
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12
Continue on 300E
13.5 mi · 15 min · 300E
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13
Turn left
2405 ft · 35 sec
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14
Turn right onto North Kennedy Boulevard
1.6 mi · 2 min · North Kennedy Boulevard
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15
Continue on County Road 875 East
11.1 mi · 13 min · County Road 875 East
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16
Continue on South Superior Street
15.1 mi · 17 min · South Superior Street
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17
Continue on County Road 2400 East
2 mi · 3 min · County Road 2400 East
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18
Continue on Fair Avenue
3070 ft · 2 min · Fair Avenue
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19
Continue on South Poplar Street
2138 ft · 32 sec · South Poplar Street
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20
Turn right onto East 1st Street
2150 ft · 1 min · East 1st Street
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21
Turn left onto Cedar Street
116 m · 5 sec · Cedar Street
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22
Turn right onto Jackson Street
2709 ft · 2 min · Jackson Street
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23
Continue on North 2600 East Road
1.6 km · 2 min · North 2600 East Road
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24
Turn left
28.7 mi · 33 min
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25
Take the exit slight right toward Decatur
2582 ft · 1 min
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26
Keep slight right to continue on Decatur
44 m · 4 sec
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27
Turn straight onto South Business Route 51
2.6 mi · 4 min · South Business Route 51
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28
Continue on South Main Street
769 ft · 19 sec · South Main Street
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29
Continue on South Franklin Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Franklin Street
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30
Continue on North Water Street
27.4 mi · 37 min · North Water Street
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31
Continue on North 1450 East Road
14.7 mi · 18 min · North 1450 East Road
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32
Take the exit slight right toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, Rockford
8.9 mi · 10 min
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33
Take the exit slight right toward I 39 North: Rockford
119.9 mi · 2 hr 9 min
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34
Take the exit slight left toward US 20 West: Freeport, Rockford
1.1 mi · 2 min
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35
Merge slight left onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
4.7 mi · 5 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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36
Take the exit slight right toward IL 2: Rockford, Dixon
1810 ft · 44 sec
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37
Keep slight right
86 m · 7 sec
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38
Turn straight onto South Main Street
3.7 mi · 6 min · South Main Street
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39
Turn right onto West State Street
45 m · 4 sec · West State Street
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40
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West State Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buena Vista and Rockford.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 39 North
Take the exit slight right toward I 39 North: Rockford
120 mi · 02h 09m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Buena Vista and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Rockford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Buena Vista to Rockford?
The road trip is about 388.4 miles (625 km) and usually takes 06h 01m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Decatur is a useful midpoint, sitting about 182.7 miles from Buena Vista and 205.6 miles from Rockford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 314.4 miles (505.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 74 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $51.66 one way or $103.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 121.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Buena Vista and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Rockford.
Stop Ideas Near Decatur
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 Decatur.
Lincoln
Springfield station
Mattoon station
Illinois Terminal
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Buena Vista and Rockford. Straight-line distance: 314.38 mi (505.94 km).
#1 Buena Vista
Township in Schuyler County, Illinois
| Population | 1,684 |
| Coordinates | 37.7383800, -88.5761600 |
| Altitude | 122 |
| 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: 625 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 50m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $51.66 | $103.33 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $58.27 | $116.53 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $63.76 | $127.52 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $72.66 | $145.33 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.