How far is Preston, IL from Rockford, IL?
The driving distance from Preston, IL to Rockford, IL is about 332.6 miles (535.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 290.6 miles (467.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 34m 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 17m.
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 Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Preston and Rockford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Preston and Rockford.
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1
Start on Pautler Road
47 m · 9 sec · Pautler Road
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2
Turn right onto Preston Road
2844 ft · 2 min · Preston Road
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3
Turn left onto Baldwin Road
5.2 mi · 12 min · Baldwin Road
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4
Continue on South 5th Street
2135 ft · 1 min · South 5th Street
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5
Turn left onto West Myrtle Street
8.7 mi · 13 min · West Myrtle Street
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6
Turn right onto North Main Street
6.4 mi · 10 min · North Main Street
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7
Continue on N Main St
810 ft · 14 sec · N Main St
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8
Continue on North Main Street
1163 ft · 20 sec · North Main Street
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9
Continue on State Route 159
6.1 mi · 9 min · State Route 159
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10
Continue on South Main Street
8.3 mi · 13 min · South Main Street
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Illinois Street
54 m · 4 sec · North Illinois Street
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12
Exit the rotary onto North Illinois Street
9.8 mi · 15 min · North Illinois Street
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13
Continue on South Morrison Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · South Morrison Avenue
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14
Continue on Vandalia Street
2.8 mi · 5 min · Vandalia Street
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15
Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 North, I 70 East
2235 ft · 55 sec
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16
Merge slight left
3.8 mi · 4 min
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17
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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18
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
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19
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7.6 mi · 8 min
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward I 39 North: Rockford
119.9 mi · 2 hr 9 min
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21
Take the exit slight left toward US 20 West: Freeport, Rockford
1.1 mi · 2 min
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22
Merge slight left onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
4.7 mi · 5 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward IL 2: Rockford, Dixon
1810 ft · 44 sec
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24
Keep slight right
86 m · 7 sec
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25
Turn straight onto South Main Street
3.7 mi · 6 min · South Main Street
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26
Turn right onto West State Street
45 m · 4 sec · West State Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West State Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Preston 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 Preston and Chance Rain near Rockford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Preston to Rockford?
The road trip is about 332.6 miles (535.2 km) and usually takes 05h 17m 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?
Lincoln is a useful midpoint, sitting about 164.4 miles from Preston and 168.1 miles from Rockford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 290.6 miles (467.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 42 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 6:26 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $44.23 one way or $88.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 104.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Preston and Chance Rain near Rockford.
Stop Ideas Near Lincoln
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 Lincoln.
Lincoln
Springfield station
Uptown Station
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Preston and Rockford. Straight-line distance: 290.6 mi (467.67 km).
#1 Preston
Unincorporated community in Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,203 |
| Coordinates | 38.1061600, -89.8601000 |
| Altitude | 143 |
| 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: 535 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $44.23 | $88.47 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $49.89 | $99.78 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $54.59 | $109.18 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $62.22 | $124.43 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.