How far is Riverside, IL from Rockford, IL?
The driving distance from Riverside, IL to Rockford, IL is about 86.6 miles (139.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 71.8 miles (115.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 01m 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 30m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Riverside and Rockford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverside and Rockford.
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1
Start on Woodside Road
16 m · 9 sec · Woodside Road
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2
Continue on Woodside Road
74 m · 10 sec · Woodside Road
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3
Continue on Des Plaines Avenue
1 mi · 3 min · Des Plaines Avenue
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4
Turn left onto Cermak Road
1407 ft · 26 sec · Cermak Road
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5
Turn slight right onto 1st Avenue Cutoff
1.7 mi · 4 min · 1st Avenue Cutoff
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6
Turn left onto Harrison Street
108 m · 10 sec · Harrison Street
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7
Take the ramp slight left toward I 290 West
736 ft · 20 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Eisenhower Expressway
3.5 mi · 5 min · Eisenhower Expressway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 290 West, I 294 North Toll: Rockford, Milwaukee
14.5 mi · 19 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward IL 72, IL 58: Higgins Road, Woodfield Road, Golf Road
1888 ft · 48 sec
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11
Turn left onto East Higgins Road
1.4 km · 2 min · East Higgins Road
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12
Turn right onto North Meacham Road
1.4 mi · 3 min · North Meacham Road
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13
Turn left onto I 90 Toll West: Rockford
2759 ft · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
51.2 mi · 55 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 Business, State Street
2076 ft · 50 sec
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16
Keep slight right
857 ft · 21 sec
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17
Turn straight onto East State Street
6 mi · 10 min · East State Street
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18
Turn right onto East Jefferson Street
1.2 km · 2 min · East Jefferson Street
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19
Turn left onto North Wyman Street
793 ft · 24 sec · North Wyman Street
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20
Turn right onto West State Street
23 m · 2 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 Riverside 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
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.
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.
Sunny leaving Riverside and Sunny near Rockford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Riverside to Rockford?
The road trip is about 86.6 miles (139.4 km) and usually takes 01h 30m 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?
Gilberts is a useful midpoint, sitting about 41.4 miles from Riverside and 45.2 miles from Rockford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 71.8 miles (115.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:28 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.54 one way or $23.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Riverside and Sunny near Rockford.
Stop Ideas Near Gilberts
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 Gilberts.
Naperville
Glenview station
Plano
La Grange Road
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Riverside and Rockford. Straight-line distance: 71.84 mi (115.61 km).
#1 Riverside
Village in Cook County, Illinois
| Population | 8,455 |
| Coordinates | 41.8350300, -87.8228400 |
| Altitude | 188 |
| 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: 139 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $11.54 | $23.08 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $13.01 | $26.03 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $14.24 | $28.48 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $16.23 | $32.46 |
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.