How far is New Athens, IL from Rockford, IL?
The driving distance from New Athens, IL to Rockford, IL is about 317 miles (510.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 275.6 miles (443.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 56m 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 58m.
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.
City in Logan County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between New Athens and Rockford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Athens and Rockford.
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1
Start on Chester Street
19 m · 8 sec · Chester Street
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2
Turn left onto North Benton Street
2721 ft · 2 min · North Benton Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Van Buren Street
709 ft · 19 sec · South Van Buren Street
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4
Turn right
1743 ft · 44 sec
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5
Turn straight
15.2 mi · 24 min
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6
Take the exit slight right
1491 ft · 38 sec
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7
Turn right onto South Illinois Street
1.6 km · 2 min · South Illinois Street
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Illinois Street
54 m · 4 sec · North Illinois Street
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9
Exit the rotary onto North Illinois Street
9.8 mi · 15 min · North Illinois Street
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10
Continue on South Morrison Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · South Morrison Avenue
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11
Continue on Vandalia Street
2.8 mi · 5 min · Vandalia Street
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12
Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 North, I 70 East
2235 ft · 55 sec
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13
Merge slight left
3.8 mi · 4 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
107.9 mi · 1 hr 57 min
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7.6 mi · 8 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 39 North: Rockford
119.9 mi · 2 hr 9 min
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18
Take the exit slight left toward US 20 West: Freeport, Rockford
1.1 mi · 2 min
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19
Merge slight left onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
4.7 mi · 5 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward IL 2: Rockford, Dixon
1810 ft · 44 sec
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21
Keep slight right
86 m · 7 sec
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22
Turn straight onto South Main Street
3.7 mi · 6 min · South Main Street
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23
Turn right onto West State Street
45 m · 4 sec · West State Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West State Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between New Athens 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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving New Athens and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Rockford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from New Athens to Rockford?
The road trip is about 317 miles (510.2 km) and usually takes 04h 58m 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?
Atlanta is a useful midpoint, sitting about 155.1 miles from New Athens and 161.9 miles from Rockford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 275.6 miles (443.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.4 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 7:04 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.20 one way or $84.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 99.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around New Athens and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Rockford.
Stop Ideas Near Atlanta
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
City of Lincoln
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Atlanta.
Lincoln
Uptown Station
Peoria, Illinois
Springfield station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between New Athens and Rockford. Straight-line distance: 275.65 mi (443.62 km).
#1 New Athens
Village in St.
| Population | 1,865 |
| Coordinates | 38.3264400, -89.8770500 |
| Altitude | 121 |
| 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: 510 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $42.20 | $84.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $47.59 | $95.18 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $52.08 | $104.16 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $59.35 | $118.70 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.