How far is Rock Island, IL from Palatine, IL?
The driving distance from Rock Island, IL to Palatine, IL is about 171.7 miles (276.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 137.4 miles (221.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 50m 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 03h 25m.
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.
Village in Lee County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rock Island and Palatine.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rock Island and Palatine.
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1
Start on 15th Street
757 ft · 33 sec · 15th Street
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2
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
1.6 mi · 4 min · 5th Avenue
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3
Continue on 38th Street
922 ft · 32 sec · 38th Street
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4
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
2834 ft · 1 min · 7th Avenue
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5
Continue on 5th Avenue
2336 ft · 1 min · 5th Avenue
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6
Continue on 5th Avenue
1820 ft · 54 sec · 5th Avenue
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7
Continue on 5th Avenue
1 km · 2 min · 5th Avenue
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8
Turn right onto 19th Street
859 ft · 29 sec · 19th Street
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9
Take the ramp slight right
1788 ft · 44 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Grand Army of the Republic Highway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward IL 5 East
1448 ft · 36 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto John Deere Road
10.6 mi · 16 min · John Deere Road
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13
Keep slight left
1799 ft · 24 sec
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14
Continue straight
43.8 mi · 47 min
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15
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
88.3 mi · 1 hr 38 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 355 Toll North: Northwest Suburbs
1.1 km · 2 min
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17
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
10.6 mi · 13 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
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18
Merge slight left
5.6 mi · 7 min
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19
Keep slight left
2.2 mi · 3 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward Kirchoff Road
1873 ft · 50 sec
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21
Turn left onto Kirchoff Road
853 ft · 25 sec · Kirchoff Road
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22
Turn right onto West Frontage Road
122 m · 9 sec · West Frontage Road
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23
Continue on Hicks Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · Hicks Road
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24
Turn left onto East Northwest Highway
1662 ft · 55 sec · East Northwest Highway
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25
Turn left onto East Palatine Road
22 m · 1 sec · East Palatine Road
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Palatine Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rock Island and Palatine.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
88.3 mi · 01h 38m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Rock Island and Mostly Sunny near Palatine.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rock Island to Palatine?
The road trip is about 171.7 miles (276.3 km) and usually takes 03h 25m 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?
Ashton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.7 miles from Rock Island and 85.9 miles from Palatine.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 137.4 miles (221.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.3 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 10:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.85 one way or $45.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Rock Island and Mostly Sunny near Palatine.
Stop Ideas Near Ashton
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 Ashton.
Mendota station
Rockford, Illinois
Princeton
Plano
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rock Island and Palatine. Straight-line distance: 137.45 mi (221.21 km).
#1 Rock Island
City in Illinois
| Population | 36,870 |
| Coordinates | 41.5094800, -90.5787500 |
| Altitude | 171 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Palatine
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 66,830 |
| Coordinates | 42.1103000, -88.0342400 |
| Altitude | 226 |
| Country | United States |
End: Palatine (-88.03424, 42.1103)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 276 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.85 | $45.70 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.77 | $51.55 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.20 | $56.41 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.14 | $64.28 |
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.