How far is Chatham, IL from Rockford, IL?

The driving distance from Chatham, IL to Rockford, IL is about 98.8 miles (159 km), with a travel time of about 01h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 84.4 miles (135.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
98.79 mi
01h 59m
Flight
84.41 mi
135.85 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Chatham.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
84.41 mi
Kilometers
135.85 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
98.79 mi
Kilometers
158.99 km
Drive Time
01h 59m

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 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rockford
Sat, Nov 7, 1:35 PM CST
Return by in Chatham
Sat, Nov 7, 3:35 PM CST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chatham
2026-11-07T11:36
Arrive Rockford
Sat, Nov 7, 1:35 PM CST
Route Timing
01h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM CST

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:30 PM CST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Chatham
9:30 PM CST
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Elgin
IL

The second most populous city in Kane County, Illinois.

From Chatham
47.7 mi
00h 59m
To Rockford
51.1 mi
00h 59m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
34ยฐF
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Sat, Nov 7 12:00 AM CST
Wind
5 mph WNW
Destination
50ยฐF
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Nov 7 6:00 AM CST
Wind
0 to 10 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Chatham and Rockford.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chatham and Rockford.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    96 m ยท 29 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East 84th Street

    670 ft ยท 32 sec ยท East 84th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto South Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Drive

    669 ft ยท 26 sec ยท South Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Drive

  4. 4

    Turn left onto East 83rd Street

    2620 ft ยท 1 min ยท East 83rd Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto South State Street

    33 m ยท 2 sec ยท South State Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 94 West

    1231 ft ยท 32 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West

    732 ft ยท 18 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway

    1.3 mi ยท 2 min ยท Dan Ryan Expressway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

    7.9 mi ยท 11 min ยท Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

  10. 10

    Continue on Kennedy Expressway

    7.9 mi ยท 11 min ยท Kennedy Expressway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Montrose Avenue

    1041 ft ยท 29 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto West Montrose Avenue

    1.1 km ยท 1 min ยท West Montrose Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn right onto North Milwaukee Avenue

    1.1 mi ยท 2 min ยท North Milwaukee Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn left onto North Northwest Highway

    21 m ยท 2 sec ยท North Northwest Highway

  15. 15

    Continue on North Northwest Highway

    1.6 km ยท 2 min ยท North Northwest Highway

  16. 16

    Turn slight left onto West Bryn Mawr Avenue

    1.8 mi ยท 4 min ยท West Bryn Mawr Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on West Higgins Road

    3.1 mi ยท 5 min ยท West Higgins Road

  18. 18

    Take the ramp right toward I 90 Toll West

    1334 ft ยท 33 sec

  19. 19

    Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

    61.5 mi ยท 1 hr 6 min ยท Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward US 20 Business, State Street

    2076 ft ยท 50 sec

  21. 21

    Keep slight right

    857 ft ยท 21 sec

  22. 22

    Turn straight onto East State Street

    6 mi ยท 10 min ยท East State Street

  23. 23

    Turn right onto East Jefferson Street

    1.2 km ยท 2 min ยท East Jefferson Street

  24. 24

    Turn left onto North Wyman Street

    793 ft ยท 24 sec ยท North Wyman Street

  25. 25

    Turn right onto West State Street

    23 m ยท 2 sec ยท West State Street

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m ยท 1 sec ยท West State Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Chatham and Rockford.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
26 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
61.5 mi ยท 62%
Kennedy Expressway
7.92 mi ยท 8%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi ยท 8%
East State Street
6.04 mi ยท 6%
West Higgins Road
3.08 mi ยท 3%
West Bryn Mawr Avenue
1.79 mi ยท 2%
Longest Stretch

Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

61.5 mi ยท 01h 06m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 59m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.4 mi
84.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Elgin
00h 59m from Chatham
Leave By
2:30 PM CST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Clear leaving Chatham and Mostly Sunny near Rockford.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Chatham to Rockford?

The road trip is about 98.8 miles (159 km) and usually takes 01h 59m 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?

Elgin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 47.7 miles from Chatham and 51.1 miles from Rockford.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 84.4 miles (135.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.4 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:30 PM CST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.92 one way or $31.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Chatham and Mostly Sunny near Rockford.

Stop Ideas Near Elgin

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Elgin, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Elgin.

RAIL

Naperville

31 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.
RAIL

Glenview station

40 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

La Grange Road

42 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Summit

47 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chatham and Rockford. Straight-line distance: 84.41 mi (135.85 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Chatham

Chatham is a place in Illinois, United States.

Population0
Coordinates41.7411500, -87.6125500
Altitude180
CountryUnited States
Rockford

#2 Rockford

The second most populous city in Illinois.

Population144,835
Coordinates42.2711300, -89.0940000
Altitude218
CountryUnited States
Start: (-87.612223, 41.741155)
End: West State Street (-89.094046, 42.271066)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 159 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 24m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.49 gal
13.2 L ยท about $15.92
Round trip
$31.84
6.98 gal ยท 26.4 L
Estimated CO2
31 kg one way
Round trip: 62 kg / 137 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.56 $15.92 $31.84
Mid-grade $5.19 $18.10 $36.21
Premium $5.75 $20.06 $40.13
Diesel $6.56 $22.90 $45.80

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 ยท Nov 07, 2026

There is no time difference between Chatham and Rockford. The current time is 11:36:09.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.