How far is Mount Sterling, IL from Rockford, IL?
The driving distance from Mount Sterling, IL to Rockford, IL is about 244.5 miles (393.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 180.1 miles (289.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 04h 01m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Village in Henry County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Mount Sterling and Rockford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Sterling and Rockford.
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1
Start on East Washington Street
2 m · 6 sec · East Washington Street
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2
Turn left onto East Court Street
104 m · 20 sec · East Court Street
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3
Turn left onto East North Street
15 m · 4 sec · East North Street
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4
Turn right
107 m · 21 sec
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5
Turn left onto East Main Street
15.6 mi · 23 min · East Main Street
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6
Turn left
24.3 mi · 34 min
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7
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Jackson Street
2.8 mi · 4 min · East Jackson Street
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8
Turn right onto North Randolph Street
842 ft · 28 sec · North Randolph Street
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9
Turn left onto East Calhoun Street
46 m · 4 sec · East Calhoun Street
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10
Take the exit slight right
2.9 mi · 4 min
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11
Continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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12
Continue on South Monmouth Street
1.2 km · 2 min · South Monmouth Street
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13
Continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
45.2 mi · 53 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
31.9 mi · 35 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
6.3 mi · 7 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
78.8 mi · 1 hr 25 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward I 39 North, US 51 North: Rockford
2271 ft · 1 min
-
18
Merge slight left
21.5 mi · 23 min
-
19
Take the exit slight left toward US 20 West: Freeport, Rockford
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
20
Merge slight left onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
4.7 mi · 5 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
-
21
Take the exit slight right toward IL 2: Rockford, Dixon
1810 ft · 44 sec
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22
Keep slight right
86 m · 7 sec
-
23
Turn straight onto South Main Street
3.7 mi · 6 min · South Main Street
-
24
Turn right onto West State Street
45 m · 4 sec · West State Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West State Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mount Sterling and Rockford.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 88 East
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
78.8 mi · 01h 25m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Mount Sterling and Sunny near Rockford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Mount Sterling to Rockford?
The road trip is about 244.5 miles (393.5 km) and usually takes 04h 01m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Orion is a useful midpoint, sitting about 122.1 miles from Mount Sterling and 122.4 miles from Rockford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 180.1 miles (289.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 64.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:56 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.54 one way or $65.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Mount Sterling and Sunny near Rockford.
Stop Ideas Near Orion
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 Orion.
Moline, Illinois
Rock Island, IL
Davenport, Iowa
Kewanee
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mount Sterling and Rockford. Straight-line distance: 180.13 mi (289.89 km).
#1 Mount Sterling
Township in Brown County, Illinois
| Population | 2,495 |
| Coordinates | 39.9872700, -90.7634600 |
| Altitude | 221 |
| 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: 394 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.54 | $65.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.70 | $73.41 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.16 | $80.33 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $45.77 | $91.55 |
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 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.