How far is Evanston, IL from Rockford, IL?
The driving distance from Evanston, IL to Rockford, IL is about 85.8 miles (138.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 73.6 miles (118.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 37m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Evanston and Rockford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Evanston and Rockford.
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1
Start on the route
60 m · 22 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn left
43 m · 16 sec
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Dempster Street
65 m · 15 sec · Dempster Street
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4
Turn left onto Asbury Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Asbury Avenue
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5
Turn right onto Oakton Street
4 mi · 7 min · Oakton Street
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6
Turn slight left onto Gross Point Road
2627 ft · 52 sec · Gross Point Road
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7
Turn straight onto New Gross Point Road
531 ft · 15 sec · New Gross Point Road
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8
Turn right onto Howard Street
1222 ft · 35 sec · Howard Street
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9
Turn left onto North Lehigh Avenue
37 m · 2 sec · North Lehigh Avenue
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10
Turn right onto West Gross Point Road
1.4 km · 2 min · West Gross Point Road
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11
Turn slight right onto West Touhy Avenue
3.3 mi · 6 min · West Touhy Avenue
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12
Turn left onto South Dee Road
1 mi · 2 min · South Dee Road
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13
Turn right onto Devon Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · Devon Avenue
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14
Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 West Toll
1349 ft · 33 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
61.5 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 Business, State Street
2076 ft · 50 sec
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17
Keep slight right
857 ft · 21 sec
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18
Turn straight onto East State Street
6 mi · 10 min · East State Street
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19
Turn right onto East Jefferson Street
1.2 km · 2 min · East Jefferson Street
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20
Turn left onto North Wyman Street
793 ft · 24 sec · North Wyman Street
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21
Turn right onto West State Street
23 m · 2 sec · West State Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West State Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Evanston and Rockford.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
61.5 mi · 01h 06m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny leaving Evanston and Sunny near Rockford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Evanston to Rockford?
The road trip is about 85.8 miles (138.1 km) and usually takes 01h 37m 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?
Gilberts is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.6 miles from Evanston and 45.2 miles from Rockford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 73.6 miles (118.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.2 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:14 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.43 one way or $22.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny around Evanston and Sunny near Rockford.
Stop Ideas Near Gilberts
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 Gilberts.
Naperville
Glenview station
Plano
La Grange Road
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Evanston and Rockford. Straight-line distance: 73.64 mi (118.52 km).
#1 Evanston
A city in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 72,683 |
| Coordinates | 42.0411400, -87.6900600 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| 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: 138 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $11.43 | $22.85 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $12.89 | $25.77 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $14.10 | $28.20 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $16.07 | $32.14 |
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.