How far is Lake Forest, IL from Rockford, IL?
The driving distance from Lake Forest, IL to Rockford, IL is about 95.3 miles (153.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 64.1 miles (103.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 11m 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 35m.
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
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Forest and Rockford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Forest and Rockford.
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1
Start on Griffith Road
22 m · 3 sec · Griffith Road
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2
Turn straight onto East Woodland Road
1960 ft · 1 min · East Woodland Road
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Green Bay Road
2060 ft · 1 min · North Green Bay Road
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4
Turn right onto East Deerpath
1.6 km · 3 min · East Deerpath
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5
Take the ramp left toward Deerpath Road
1302 ft · 36 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto South Skokie Highway
926 ft · 12 sec · South Skokie Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward IL 60
534 ft · 14 sec
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8
Continue on W Kennedy Road
2279 ft · 45 sec · W Kennedy Road
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9
Continue on Townline Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Townline Road
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10
Continue on East Townline Road
1.1 km · 1 min · East Townline Road
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11
Take the ramp left toward I 94 Toll East: Indiana
1872 ft · 49 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
5.8 mi · 7 min · Tri-State Tollway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Willow Road
1072 ft · 26 sec
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15
Keep slight right
1015 ft · 25 sec
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16
Turn right onto Willow Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Willow Road
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17
Continue on Palatine Road
6.2 mi · 9 min · Palatine Road
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18
Take the exit slight right toward IL 53 South
1330 ft · 33 sec
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19
Merge slight left
3.2 mi · 4 min
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20
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 Toll: Rockford, Chicago
1785 ft · 28 sec
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21
Take the exit slight right toward IL 62: Algonquin Road
1810 ft · 44 sec
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22
Turn right onto West Algonquin Road
1.3 km · 1 min · West Algonquin Road
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23
Turn left onto North Meacham Road
3070 ft · 1 min · North Meacham Road
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24
Take the ramp right toward I 90 Toll West: Rockford
2686 ft · 1 min
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25
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
51.2 mi · 55 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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26
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 Business, State Street
2076 ft · 50 sec
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27
Keep slight right
857 ft · 21 sec
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28
Turn straight onto East State Street
6 mi · 10 min · East State Street
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29
Turn right onto East Jefferson Street
1.2 km · 2 min · East Jefferson Street
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30
Turn left onto North Wyman Street
793 ft · 24 sec · North Wyman Street
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31
Turn right onto West State Street
23 m · 2 sec · West State Street
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West State Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest to Rockford?
The road trip is about 95.3 miles (153.3 km) and usually takes 01h 35m 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 43 miles from Lake Forest and 52.3 miles from Rockford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 64.1 miles (103.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.2 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 3:18 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.67 one way or $25.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lake Forest and Mostly 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 Lake Forest and Rockford. Straight-line distance: 64.09 mi (103.15 km).
#1 Lake Forest
City in Lake County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 19,379 |
| Coordinates | 42.2586300, -87.8406300 |
| Altitude | 210 |
| 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: 153 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $12.67 | $25.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $14.29 | $28.58 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $15.64 | $31.27 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $17.82 | $35.64 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.