How far is Rockford, IL from Carol Stream, IL?

The driving distance from Rockford, IL to Carol Stream, IL is about 64.6 miles (103.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 55.1 miles (88.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
64.57 mi
01h 26m
Flight
55.07 mi
88.62 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Rockford.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
55.07 mi
Kilometers
88.62 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
64.57 mi
Kilometers
103.92 km
Drive Time
01h 26m

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 01h 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Carol Stream
Sat, May 2, 11:08 AM CDT
Return by in Rockford
Sat, May 2, 12:35 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Rockford
2026-05-02T09:41
Arrive Carol Stream
Sat, May 2, 11:08 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:27 AM to 11:27 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:36 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Rockford
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Hampshire
IL

Village in Illinois, United States

From Rockford
32.2 mi
00h 43m
To Carol Stream
32.3 mi
00h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
57°F
Saturday

Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NW
Destination
56°F
Saturday

Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Rockford and Carol Stream.

  1. 1

    Start on West State Street

    3.4 mi · 6 min · West State Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Alpine Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · South Alpine Road

  3. 3

    Continue on South Alpine Road

    109 m · 14 sec · South Alpine Road

  4. 4

    Turn right

    26 m · 4 sec

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Charles Street

    2.8 mi · 5 min · Charles Street

  6. 6

    Turn right onto South Mall Drive

    118 m · 19 sec · South Mall Drive

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Harrison Avenue

    3021 ft · 1 min · Harrison Avenue

  8. 8

    Take the ramp slight left

    1207 ft · 30 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    912 ft · 11 sec

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East: Chicago

    2544 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

    19.8 mi · 21 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

    21.8 mi · 23 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 59

    2334 ft · 1 min

  14. 14

    Turn right onto New Sutton Road

    2.4 mi · 4 min · New Sutton Road

  15. 15

    Continue on Sutton Road

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Sutton Road

  16. 16

    Take the ramp slight right

    1034 ft · 28 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto West Lake Street

    3.3 mi · 4 min · West Lake Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto County Farm Road

    4.2 mi · 8 min · County Farm Road

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Lies Road West

    2795 ft · 1 min · Lies Road West

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Kuhn Road

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Kuhn Road

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Thunderbird Trail

    62 m · 11 sec · Thunderbird Trail

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Aztec Drive

    49 m · 8 sec · Aztec Drive

  23. 23

    Turn left onto West Thunderbird Trail

    1243 ft · 55 sec · West Thunderbird Trail

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Thunderbird Trail

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
24 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
37.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
41.5 mi · 64%
County Farm Road
4.15 mi · 6%
West State Street
3.45 mi · 5%
West Lake Street
3.33 mi · 5%
Charles Street
2.84 mi · 4%
New Sutton Road
2.37 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

21.8 mi · 00h 23m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 26m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.5 mi
55.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Hampshire
00h 43m from Rockford
Leave By
3:36 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny leaving Rockford and Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny near Carol Stream.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Rockford to Carol Stream?

The road trip is about 64.6 miles (103.9 km) and usually takes 01h 26m 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?

Hampshire is a useful midpoint, sitting about 32.2 miles from Rockford and 32.3 miles from Carol Stream.

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

The direct path is about 55.1 miles (88.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.5 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 3:36 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.60 one way or $17.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 20.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny around Rockford and Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny near Carol Stream.

Stop Ideas Near Hampshire

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Hampshire, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Rockford, Illinois

42 mi away
7559 Walton St.
RAIL

Naperville

48 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.
RAIL

Plano

48 mi away
101 West Main Street
BUS

South Beloit, Illinois

58 mi away
15766 Manchester Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Rockford and Carol Stream. Straight-line distance: 55.07 mi (88.62 km).

Rockford

#1 Rockford

The second most populous city in Illinois.

Population144,835
Coordinates42.2711300, -89.0940000
Altitude218
CountryUnited States
Carol Stream

#2 Carol Stream

Town

Population38,821
Coordinates41.9125300, -88.1347900
Altitude231
CountryUnited States
Start: Rockford (-89.094, 42.27113)
End: Carol Stream (-88.13479, 41.91253)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 104 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 09m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 36m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 17m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 55m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 48m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.28 gal
8.63 L · about $8.60
Round trip
$17.20
4.56 gal · 17.26 L
Estimated CO2
20.3 kg one way
Round trip: 40.5 kg / 89 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $8.60 $17.20
Mid-grade $4.25 $9.70 $19.39
Premium $4.65 $10.61 $21.22
Diesel $5.30 $12.09 $24.19

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 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Rockford and Carol Stream. The current time is 09:41:59.

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.