How far is Rockford, IL from Carbon Cliff, IL?
The driving distance from Rockford, IL to Carbon Cliff, IL is about 114.6 miles (184.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 85.6 miles (137.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 19m 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 09m.
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.
City and county seat of Lee County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rockford and Carbon Cliff.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockford and Carbon Cliff.
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1
Start on West State Street
546 ft · 23 sec · West State Street
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2
Turn left onto South Church Street
1519 ft · 37 sec · South Church Street
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3
Turn left onto Cedar Street
84 m · 5 sec · Cedar Street
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4
Turn right onto South Main Street
3.6 mi · 6 min · South Main Street
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5
Take the ramp left
1707 ft · 44 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
4.3 mi · 5 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right
1.2 km · 2 min
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8
Merge slight right
21 mi · 23 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 West Toll: Moline, Rock Island
2931 ft · 50 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
33.8 mi · 36 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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11
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
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12
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
37.8 mi · 40 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
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13
Continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
5.4 mi · 6 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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14
Continue straight
3.9 mi · 5 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right
2718 ft · 1 min
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16
Continue on North 2nd Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · North 2nd Avenue
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 2nd Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rockford and Carbon Cliff.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
37.8 mi · 00h 41m
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.
Chance Rain leaving Rockford and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carbon Cliff.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rockford to Carbon Cliff?
The road trip is about 114.6 miles (184.5 km) and usually takes 02h 09m 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?
Dixon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 57.3 miles from Rockford and 57.4 miles from Carbon Cliff.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 85.6 miles (137.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 29 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 2:10 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.27 one way or $30.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain around Rockford and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carbon Cliff.
Stop Ideas Near Dixon
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 Dixon.
Mendota station
Princeton
Rockford, Illinois
Kewanee
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rockford and Carbon Cliff. Straight-line distance: 85.59 mi (137.75 km).
#1 Rockford
The second most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 144,835 |
| Coordinates | 42.2711300, -89.0940000 |
| Altitude | 218 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Carbon Cliff
City in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 1,932 |
| Coordinates | 41.4947600, -90.3906800 |
| Altitude | 184 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carbon Cliff (-90.39068, 41.49476)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 185 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $15.27 | $30.55 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $17.22 | $34.45 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $18.85 | $37.70 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $21.48 | $42.96 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.