How far is North Chicago, IL from Rockford, IL?

The driving distance from North Chicago, IL to Rockford, IL is about 94.5 miles (152.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 64.1 miles (103.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 25m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
94.5 mi
01h 42m
Flight
64.14 mi
103.22 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from North Chicago.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
64.14 mi
Kilometers
103.22 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
94.5 mi
Kilometers
152.08 km
Drive Time
01h 42m

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 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rockford
Sun, Apr 19, 7:39 AM CDT
Return by in North Chicago
Sun, Apr 19, 9:21 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave North Chicago
2026-04-19T05:56
Arrive Rockford
Sun, Apr 19, 7:39 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:43 AM to 11:43 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:04 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in North Chicago
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
West Dundee
IL

City in Illinois, United States of America

From North Chicago
45.7 mi
00h 51m
To Rockford
48.8 mi
00h 51m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
50°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph WNW
Destination
51°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between North Chicago and Rockford.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North Chicago and Rockford.

  1. 1

    Start on Fellows Place

    667 ft · 32 sec · Fellows Place

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 18th Street

    47 m · 10 sec · 18th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Sheridan Road

    2930 ft · 40 sec · Sheridan Road

  4. 4

    Continue on Bobby E. Thompson Expressway

    1.4 km · 1 min · Bobby E. Thompson Expressway

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Buckley Road

    3 mi · 5 min · Buckley Road

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 94 Toll East: Chicago

    1998 ft · 52 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

    11 mi · 13 min · Tri-State Tollway

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Willow Road

    1072 ft · 26 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right

    1015 ft · 25 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Willow Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · Willow Road

  12. 12

    Continue on Palatine Road

    6.2 mi · 9 min · Palatine Road

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 53 South

    1330 ft · 33 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    3.2 mi · 4 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on I 90 Toll: Rockford, Chicago

    1785 ft · 28 sec

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 62: Algonquin Road

    1810 ft · 44 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right onto West Algonquin Road

    1.3 km · 1 min · West Algonquin Road

  18. 18

    Turn left onto North Meacham Road

    3070 ft · 1 min · North Meacham Road

  19. 19

    Take the ramp right toward I 90 Toll West: Rockford

    2686 ft · 1 min

  20. 20

    Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

    51.2 mi · 55 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward US 20 Business, State Street

    2076 ft · 50 sec

  22. 22

    Keep slight right

    857 ft · 21 sec

  23. 23

    Turn straight onto East State Street

    6 mi · 10 min · East State Street

  24. 24

    Turn right onto East Jefferson Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · East Jefferson Street

  25. 25

    Turn left onto North Wyman Street

    793 ft · 24 sec · North Wyman Street

  26. 26

    Turn right onto West State Street

    23 m · 2 sec · West State Street

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West State Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between North Chicago and Rockford.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
27 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
28.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
51.2 mi · 54%
Tri-State Tollway
14.5 mi · 15%
Palatine Road
6.23 mi · 7%
East State Street
6.04 mi · 6%
IL 53 South
3.49 mi · 4%
Buckley Road
3.03 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 42m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.4 mi
64.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
West Dundee
00h 51m from North Chicago
Leave By
3:04 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving North Chicago 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 North Chicago to Rockford?

The road trip is about 94.5 miles (152.1 km) and usually takes 01h 42m 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?

West Dundee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 45.7 miles from North Chicago and 48.8 miles from Rockford.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 64.1 miles (103.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:04 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.56 one way or $25.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around North Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Rockford.

Stop Ideas Near West Dundee

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around West Dundee, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to West Dundee.

RAIL

Naperville

37 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.
RAIL

Glenview station

39 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

La Grange Road

46 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Summit

52 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between North Chicago and Rockford. Straight-line distance: 64.14 mi (103.22 km).

North Chicago

#1 North Chicago

City and suburb of Chicago, Illinois, USA

Population29,639
Coordinates42.3255800, -87.8411800
Altitude201
CountryUnited States
Rockford

#2 Rockford

The second most populous city in Illinois.

Population144,835
Coordinates42.2711300, -89.0940000
Altitude218
CountryUnited States
Start: Fellows Place (-87.841197, 42.325603)
End: West State Street (-89.094046, 42.271066)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 152 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 21m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 21m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 10m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.33 gal
12.62 L · about $12.56
Round trip
$25.11
6.66 gal · 25.24 L
Estimated CO2
29.6 kg one way
Round trip: 59.2 kg / 131 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $12.56 $25.11
Mid-grade $4.25 $14.16 $28.32
Premium $4.65 $15.50 $31.00
Diesel $5.30 $17.66 $35.32

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between North Chicago and Rockford. The current time is 05:56:39.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.