How far is Rockford, IL from Bethalto, IL?

The driving distance from Rockford, IL to Bethalto, IL is about 274.5 miles (441.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 04m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 237.6 miles (382.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
274.48 mi
05h 04m
Flight
237.53 mi
382.27 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Rockford.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
237.53 mi
Kilometers
382.27 km
Flight Time
00h 28m

Driving Distance

Road route
274.48 mi
Kilometers
441.74 km
Drive Time
05h 04m

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 04m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bethalto
Thu, Apr 23, 6:48 AM CDT
Return by in Rockford
Thu, Apr 23, 11:53 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Rockford
2026-04-23T01:43
Arrive Bethalto
Thu, Apr 23, 6:48 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 04m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:05 AM to 1:05 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:50 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Rockford
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Burns
IL

Township in Henry County, Illinois

From Rockford
137.3 mi
02h 32m
To Bethalto
137.1 mi
02h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S
Destination
81°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 18 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Rockford and Bethalto.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Rockford and Bethalto.

  1. 1

    Start on West State Street

    546 ft · 23 sec · West State Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Church Street

    1519 ft · 37 sec · South Church Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Cedar Street

    84 m · 5 sec · Cedar Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    3.6 mi · 6 min · South Main Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp left

    1707 ft · 44 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway

    4.3 mi · 5 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right

    1.2 km · 2 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight right

    118.2 mi · 2 hr 7 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur

    7.6 mi · 8 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

    64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis

    62.6 mi · 1 hr 7 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 140: Alton, Greenville

    1756 ft · 43 sec

  13. 13

    Turn right onto East State Street

    1 km · 1 min · East State Street

  14. 14

    Continue on State Route 140

    9.6 mi · 13 min · State Route 140

  15. 15

    Continue on East Bethalto Drive

    1.2 km · 1 min · East Bethalto Drive

  16. 16

    Turn right onto South Prairie Street

    2920 ft · 2 min · South Prairie Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto West Sherman Street

    2 m · 1 sec · West Sherman Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Sherman Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Rockford and Bethalto.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
18 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 South
135 mi · 49%
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
123 mi · 45%
State Route 140
9.61 mi · 4%
South Main Street
3.91 mi · 1%
East Bethalto Drive
0.73 mi
East State Street
0.65 mi
Longest Stretch

U.S. Grant Memorial Highway

Merge slight right

118 mi · 02h 07m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 04m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+36.9 mi
237.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Burns
02h 32m from Rockford
Leave By
6:50 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Rockford and Mostly Sunny near Bethalto.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Rockford to Bethalto?

The road trip is about 274.5 miles (441.7 km) and usually takes 05h 04m 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?

Burns is a useful midpoint, sitting about 137.3 miles from Rockford and 137.1 miles from Bethalto.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 237.6 miles (382.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.9 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 6:50 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.50 one way or $73.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 86 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Rockford and Mostly Sunny near Bethalto.

Stop Ideas Near Burns

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Burns and the surrounding midpoint area.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
Scenic stop 14.7 mi away

Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!

Atlanta , IL
865 SW Arch St, Atlanta, IL 61723, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Tourist attraction
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Meeting point 4.3 mi away

City of Bloomington, Illinois

Bloomington , IL
109 E Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
Rating 3.6/5 8 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 4.3 mi away

Bloomington Finance Department

Bloomington , IL
109 E Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
City tax office
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 6.4 mi away

City Hall - Town of Normal

Normal , IL
11 Uptown Circle, Normal, IL 61761
Parking lot

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Burns.

RAIL

Uptown Station

12 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
RAIL

Lincoln

43 mi away
Broadway and North Chicago Sts.
RAIL

Pontiac station

61 mi away
721 West Washington St.
BUS

Peoria, Illinois

67 mi away
6100 West Everett M. Dirksen Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Rockford and Bethalto. Straight-line distance: 237.53 mi (382.27 km).

Rockford

#1 Rockford

The second most populous city in Illinois.

Population144,835
Coordinates42.2711300, -89.0940000
Altitude218
CountryUnited States
Bethalto

#2 Bethalto

Village in Illinois

Population9,201
Coordinates38.9092100, -90.0406600
Altitude160
CountryUnited States
Start: Rockford (-89.094, 42.27113)
End: Bethalto (-90.04066, 38.90921)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 442 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 55m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 25m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.68 gal
36.66 L · about $36.50
Round trip
$73.01
19.36 gal · 73.32 L
Estimated CO2
86 kg one way
Round trip: 172.1 kg / 379 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $36.50 $73.01
Mid-grade $4.25 $41.17 $82.34
Premium $4.65 $45.05 $90.10
Diesel $5.30 $51.34 $102.69

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

There is no time difference between Rockford and Bethalto. The current time is 01:43:45.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.