How far is Rockford, IL from Carlyle, IL?

The driving distance from Rockford, IL to Carlyle, IL is about 284.2 miles (457.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 33m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 253.3 miles (407.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 06m 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
284.25 mi
05h 33m
Flight
253.36 mi
407.74 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
253.36 mi
Kilometers
407.74 km
Flight Time
00h 30m

Driving Distance

Road route
284.25 mi
Kilometers
457.45 km
Drive Time
05h 33m

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 33m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Carlyle
Thu, May 14, 3:01 AM CDT
Return by in Rockford
Thu, May 14, 8:34 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Rockford
2026-05-13T21:28
Arrive Carlyle
Thu, May 14, 3:01 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 33m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:33 AM to 1:33 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
5:54 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
142.2 mi
02h 46m
To Carlyle
142 mi
02h 46m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Wednesday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW
Destination
73°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 17 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 left to continue on I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur

    2.1 mi · 2 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Decatur, Bloomington

    1616 ft · 40 sec

  12. 12

    Continue on North 1450 East Road

    14.7 mi · 18 min · North 1450 East Road

  13. 13

    Continue on North Walnut Street

    23.2 mi · 30 min · North Walnut Street

  14. 14

    Turn straight

    9.9 mi · 15 min

  15. 15

    Take the ramp straight toward South Business Route 51

    19.6 mi · 24 min · South Business Route 51

  16. 16

    Continue on North 2600 East Rd

    7.9 mi · 9 min · North 2600 East Rd

  17. 17

    Turn right onto North 2600 East Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · North 2600 East Road

  18. 18

    Continue on Jackson Street

    2668 ft · 2 min · Jackson Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Cedar Street

    142 m · 8 sec · Cedar Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto East 1st Street

    2150 ft · 1 min · East 1st Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto South Poplar Street

    2138 ft · 30 sec · South Poplar Street

  22. 22

    Turn straight onto Fair Avenue

    3070 ft · 2 min · Fair Avenue

  23. 23

    Continue on County Road 2400 E

    2 mi · 3 min · County Road 2400 E

  24. 24

    Continue on 300 East Road

    15.1 mi · 17 min · 300 East Road

  25. 25

    Continue on County Road 875 East

    11.1 mi · 13 min · County Road 875 East

  26. 26

    Continue on North Kennedy Boulevard

    1.5 mi · 2 min · North Kennedy Boulevard

  27. 27

    Turn left onto West Gallatin Street

    2405 ft · 34 sec · West Gallatin Street

  28. 28

    Turn right

    554 ft · 7 sec

  29. 29

    Continue on United States Highway 51

    13.4 mi · 15 min · United States Highway 51

  30. 30

    Continue on 250E

    10.4 mi · 12 min · 250E

  31. 31

    Continue on North Mine Street

    135 m · 6 sec · North Mine Street

  32. 32

    Continue on N Mine St

    1107 ft · 16 sec · N Mine St

  33. 33

    Turn right onto West Missouri Avenue

    14.1 mi · 16 min · West Missouri Avenue

  34. 34

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Franklin Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
34 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
123 mi · 43%
North Walnut Street
23.2 mi · 8%
South Business Route 51
19.6 mi · 7%
300 East Road
15.1 mi · 5%
North 1450 East Road
14.7 mi · 5%
West Missouri Avenue
14.1 mi · 5%
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 33m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.9 mi
253.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Burns
02h 46m from Rockford
Leave By
5:54 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Rockford and Sunny near Carlyle.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 284.2 miles (457.4 km) and usually takes 05h 33m 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 142.2 miles from Rockford and 142 miles from Carlyle.

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

The direct path is about 253.3 miles (407.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.9 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 5:54 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.82 one way or $75.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Rockford and Sunny near Carlyle.

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 14.2 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 7.5 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 7.5 mi away

Bloomington Finance Department

Bloomington , IL
109 E Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
City tax office
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 9.7 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 Carlyle. Straight-line distance: 253.36 mi (407.74 km).

Rockford

#1 Rockford

The second most populous city in Illinois.

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

#2 Carlyle

City in Illinois, United States

Population3,148
Coordinates38.6103300, -89.3725800
Altitude139
CountryUnited States
Start: Rockford (-89.094, 42.27113)
End: Carlyle (-89.37258, 38.61033)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 457 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 28m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 06m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 41m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 44m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 03m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 32m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.03 gal
37.97 L · about $37.82
Round trip
$75.65
20.06 gal · 75.94 L
Estimated CO2
89.1 kg one way
Round trip: 178.3 kg / 393 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $37.82 $75.65
Mid-grade $4.25 $42.66 $85.32
Premium $4.65 $46.68 $93.36
Diesel $5.30 $53.20 $106.40

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 14, 2026

There is no time difference between Rockford and Carlyle. The current time is 21:28:20.

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.