How far is Highland Park, IL from Rockford, IL?
The driving distance from Highland Park, IL to Rockford, IL is about 90.6 miles (145.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 66.5 miles (107 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 06m 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 33m.
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.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Highland Park and Rockford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Highland Park and Rockford.
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1
Start on Green Bay Road
1185 ft · 33 sec · Green Bay Road
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2
Turn left onto Central Avenue
1 km · 1 min · Central Avenue
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3
Continue on Deerfield Road
639 ft · 13 sec · Deerfield Road
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4
Continue on Deerfield Road
3.8 mi · 7 min · Deerfield Road
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5
Take the ramp right toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago
1734 ft · 42 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
1.3 km · 54 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Willow Road
1072 ft · 26 sec
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9
Keep slight right
1015 ft · 25 sec
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10
Turn right onto Willow Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Willow Road
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11
Continue on Palatine Road
6.2 mi · 9 min · Palatine Road
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12
Take the exit slight right toward IL 53 South
1330 ft · 33 sec
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13
Merge slight left
3.2 mi · 4 min
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 Toll: Rockford, Chicago
1785 ft · 28 sec
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15
Take the exit slight right toward IL 62: Algonquin Road
1810 ft · 44 sec
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16
Turn right onto West Algonquin Road
1.3 km · 1 min · West Algonquin Road
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17
Turn left onto North Meacham Road
3070 ft · 1 min · North Meacham Road
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18
Take the ramp right toward I 90 Toll West: Rockford
2686 ft · 1 min
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19
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
51.2 mi · 55 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 Business, State Street
2076 ft · 50 sec
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21
Keep slight right
857 ft · 21 sec
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22
Turn straight onto East State Street
6 mi · 10 min · East State Street
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23
Turn right onto East Jefferson Street
1.2 km · 2 min · East Jefferson Street
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24
Turn left onto North Wyman Street
793 ft · 24 sec · North Wyman Street
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25
Turn right onto West State Street
23 m · 2 sec · West State Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West State Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Highland Park and Rockford.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
51.2 mi · 00h 55m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Highland Park and Partly Sunny near Rockford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Highland Park to Rockford?
The road trip is about 90.6 miles (145.8 km) and usually takes 01h 33m 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 Highland Park and 50 miles from Rockford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 66.5 miles (107 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.1 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 3:24 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.07 one way or $24.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Highland Park and Partly 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 Highland Park and Rockford. Straight-line distance: 66.47 mi (106.98 km).
#1 Highland Park
City in Lake County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 29,427 |
| Coordinates | 42.1816900, -87.8003400 |
| Altitude | 212 |
| 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: 146 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $12.07 | $24.13 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $13.61 | $27.22 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $14.89 | $29.79 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $16.97 | $33.95 |
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 · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.