How far is Palos Heights, IL from Rockford, IL?
The driving distance from Palos Heights, IL to Rockford, IL is about 100.3 miles (161.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 78.6 miles (126.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 29m 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 44m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 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 Palos Heights and Rockford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palos Heights and Rockford.
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1
Start on the route
13 m · 6 sec
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2
Turn right onto West 123rd Street
15 m · 6 sec · West 123rd Street
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3
Turn right onto Harlem Avenue
3.6 mi · 6 min · Harlem Avenue
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4
Turn right
960 ft · 35 sec
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5
Turn straight onto West 95th Street
1958 ft · 50 sec · West 95th Street
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
2386 ft · 58 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 14 min · Tri-State Tollway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
10.3 mi · 13 min · Tri-State Tollway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 190 West, I 90: O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, Rockford, River Road
1071 ft · 26 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West Toll, I 90 East: Rockford, Chicago
1534 ft · 38 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 Toll West: Rockford
1.3 km · 2 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
929 ft · 12 sec · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
61.6 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 Business, State Street
2076 ft · 50 sec
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15
Keep slight right
857 ft · 21 sec
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16
Turn straight onto East State Street
6 mi · 10 min · East State Street
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17
Turn right onto East Jefferson Street
1.2 km · 2 min · East Jefferson Street
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18
Turn left onto North Wyman Street
793 ft · 24 sec · North Wyman Street
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19
Turn right onto West State Street
23 m · 2 sec · West State Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West State Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Palos Heights and Rockford.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
61.6 mi · 01h 06m
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 Palos Heights 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 Palos Heights to Rockford?
The road trip is about 100.3 miles (161.4 km) and usually takes 01h 44m 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?
East Dundee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48.5 miles from Palos Heights and 51.8 miles from Rockford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 78.6 miles (126.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.7 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 3:00 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.35 one way or $26.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Palos Heights and Mostly Sunny near Rockford.
Stop Ideas Near East Dundee
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 East Dundee.
Naperville
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Palos Heights and Rockford. Straight-line distance: 78.6 mi (126.5 km).
#1 Palos Heights
City in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 12,375 |
| Coordinates | 41.6680900, -87.7964400 |
| Altitude | 190 |
| 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: 161 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $13.35 | $26.70 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $15.06 | $30.11 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $16.48 | $32.95 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $18.78 | $37.55 |
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 · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.