How far is Rock Island, IL from Rockford, IL?
The driving distance from Rock Island, IL to Rockford, IL is about 138.1 miles (222.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 92.8 miles (149.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 17m 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 02h 08m.
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.
Village in Lee County, Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rock Island and Rockford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rock Island and Rockford.
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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
-
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
34.8 mi · 37 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 39 North, US 51 North: Rockford
2271 ft · 1 min
-
17
Merge slight left
21.5 mi · 23 min
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18
Take the exit slight left toward US 20 West: Freeport, Rockford
1.1 mi · 2 min
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19
Merge slight left onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
4.7 mi · 5 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward IL 2: Rockford, Dixon
1810 ft · 44 sec
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21
Keep slight right
86 m · 7 sec
-
22
Turn straight onto South Main Street
3.7 mi · 6 min · South Main Street
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23
Turn right onto West State Street
45 m · 4 sec · West State Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West State Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rock Island and Rockford.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
John Deere Road
Continue straight
43.8 mi · 00h 47m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Rock Island and Mostly Cloudy near Rockford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rock Island to Rockford?
The road trip is about 138.1 miles (222.3 km) and usually takes 02h 08m 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?
Nelson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.1 miles from Rock Island and 74.1 miles from Rockford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 92.8 miles (149.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:12 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.36 one way or $36.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Rock Island and Mostly Cloudy near Rockford.
Stop Ideas Near Nelson
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 Nelson.
Princeton
Mendota station
Kewanee
Rockford, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rock Island and Rockford. Straight-line distance: 92.74 mi (149.25 km).
#1 Rock Island
City in Illinois
| Population | 36,870 |
| Coordinates | 41.5094800, -90.5787500 |
| Altitude | 171 |
| 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: 222 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $18.36 | $36.73 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $20.71 | $41.42 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $22.66 | $45.33 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $25.83 | $51.66 |
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 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.