How far is Rockford, IL from Carthage, IL?
The driving distance from Rockford, IL to Carthage, IL is about 225.9 miles (363.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 166.3 miles (267.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 44m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 22m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 in Henry County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Occasional Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rockford and Carthage.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockford and Carthage.
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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
Take the exit slight right toward I 80: Peoria
7.1 mi · 8 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
31.3 mi · 34 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 34 West: Monmouth
49.6 mi · 59 min
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17
Continue on East 1200th Street
1.2 mi · 1 min · East 1200th Street
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18
Continue on North Lafayette Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · North Lafayette Street
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19
Turn right onto West Calhoun Street
929 ft · 27 sec · West Calhoun Street
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20
Continue on North Johnson Street
121 m · 11 sec · North Johnson Street
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21
Turn right onto West Jackson Street
6.2 mi · 10 min · West Jackson Street
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22
Continue on Macomb Street
2971 ft · 50 sec · Macomb Street
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23
Continue on East North Street
1 km · 56 sec · East North Street
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24
Continue on East Campbell Street
3.1 mi · 5 min · East Campbell Street
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25
Turn right onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
13.6 mi · 16 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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26
Take the exit slight right toward US 136 West, IL 94 North: Carthage, Keokuk
1.6 mi · 3 min
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27
Turn right onto North Madison Street
19 m · 1 sec · North Madison Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Madison Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rockford and Carthage.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 34 West
Take the exit slight right toward US 34 West: Monmouth
49.6 mi · 00h 59m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Rockford and Occasional Showers And Thunderstorms near Carthage.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rockford to Carthage?
The road trip is about 225.9 miles (363.6 km) and usually takes 04h 22m 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?
Colona is a useful midpoint, sitting about 112.9 miles from Rockford and 113 miles from Carthage.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 166.3 miles (267.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 59.6 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 8:16 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.05 one way or $60.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Rockford and Occasional Showers And Thunderstorms near Carthage.
Stop Ideas Near Colona
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 Colona.
Moline, Illinois
Rock Island, IL
Davenport, Iowa
Kewanee
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rockford and Carthage. Straight-line distance: 166.25 mi (267.56 km).
#1 Rockford
The second most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 144,835 |
| Coordinates | 42.2711300, -89.0940000 |
| Altitude | 218 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Carthage
City in and county seat of Hancock County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 2,419 |
| Coordinates | 40.4164300, -91.1362500 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carthage (-91.13625, 40.41643)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 364 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $30.05 | $60.11 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $33.90 | $67.79 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $37.09 | $74.18 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $42.27 | $84.55 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.