How far is Murphysboro, IL from Rockford, IL?
The driving distance from Murphysboro, IL to Rockford, IL is about 360.4 miles (580 km), with a travel time of about 05h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 311.6 miles (501.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 23m 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 05h 41m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Township in Logan County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Murphysboro and Rockford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Murphysboro and Rockford.
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1
Start on North 11th Street
20 m · 8 sec · North 11th Street
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2
Turn left onto Walnut Street
2741 ft · 1 min · Walnut Street
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3
Turn left onto North 2nd Street
6.2 mi · 8 min · North 2nd Street
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4
Continue straight
39.3 mi · 49 min
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5
Turn left
1982 ft · 48 sec
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6
Merge slight left
26.6 mi · 29 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward IL 4
1924 ft · 33 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on IL 4
55 m · 3 sec
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9
Turn straight
26 mi · 38 min
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10
Take the ramp right
1822 ft · 45 sec
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11
Merge slight left
93.2 mi · 1 hr 41 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7.6 mi · 8 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 39 North: Rockford
119.9 mi · 2 hr 9 min
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15
Take the exit slight left toward US 20 West: Freeport, Rockford
1.1 mi · 2 min
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16
Merge slight left onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
4.7 mi · 5 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward IL 2: Rockford, Dixon
1810 ft · 44 sec
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18
Keep slight right
86 m · 7 sec
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19
Turn straight onto South Main Street
3.7 mi · 6 min · South Main Street
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20
Turn right onto West State Street
45 m · 4 sec · West State Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West State Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Murphysboro and Rockford.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 39 North
Take the exit slight right toward I 39 North: Rockford
120 mi · 02h 09m
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.
Sunny leaving Murphysboro and Sunny near Rockford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Murphysboro to Rockford?
The road trip is about 360.4 miles (580 km) and usually takes 05h 41m 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?
Elkhart is a useful midpoint, sitting about 179.9 miles from Murphysboro and 180.4 miles from Rockford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 311.6 miles (501.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.8 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 5:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $47.97 one way or $95.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 113 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Murphysboro and Sunny near Rockford.
Stop Ideas Near Elkhart
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 Elkhart.
Lincoln
Springfield station
Uptown Station
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Murphysboro and Rockford. Straight-line distance: 311.64 mi (501.53 km).
#1 Murphysboro
Town in Illinois
| Population | 7,384 |
| Coordinates | 37.7645000, -89.3350900 |
| Altitude | 128 |
| 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: 580 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $47.97 | $95.93 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $54.10 | $108.20 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $59.20 | $118.40 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $67.47 | $134.93 |
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.