How far is Rockford, IL from Hartford, IL?
The driving distance from Rockford, IL to Hartford, IL is about 284.5 miles (457.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 243.3 miles (391.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 35m 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 05h 17m.
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.
Township in McLean County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rockford and Hartford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockford and Hartford.
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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
118.2 mi · 2 hr 7 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur
7.6 mi · 8 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
69.8 mi · 1 hr 15 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward IL 143: Edwardsville, Marine
1664 ft · 28 sec
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13
Turn right
1926 ft · 33 sec
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14
Continue straight
3.4 mi · 6 min
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15
Continue on Saint Louis Street
1 mi · 2 min · Saint Louis Street
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16
Continue on New Poag Road
7.2 mi · 12 min · New Poag Road
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17
Turn right onto Lewis and Clark Boulevard
2.1 mi · 2 min · Lewis and Clark Boulevard
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18
Turn right onto West Hawthorne Street
961 ft · 44 sec · West Hawthorne Street
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19
Turn right onto South Delmar Avenue
20 m · 3 sec · South Delmar Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Delmar Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rockford and Hartford.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Rockford and Sunny near Hartford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rockford to Hartford?
The road trip is about 284.5 miles (457.8 km) and usually takes 05h 17m 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?
Funks Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 142.3 miles from Rockford and 142.1 miles from Hartford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 243.3 miles (391.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.2 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 6:24 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.86 one way or $75.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Rockford and Sunny near Hartford.
Stop Ideas Near Funks Grove
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
City Hall - Town of Normal
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Funks Grove.
Uptown Station
Lincoln
Peoria, Illinois
Pontiac station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rockford and Hartford. Straight-line distance: 243.27 mi (391.51 km).
#1 Rockford
The second most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 144,835 |
| Coordinates | 42.2711300, -89.0940000 |
| Altitude | 218 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Hartford
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 1,330 |
| Coordinates | 38.8333800, -90.0959400 |
| Altitude | 131 |
| Country | United States |
End: Hartford (-90.09594, 38.83338)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 458 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 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.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $37.86 | $75.72 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.70 | $85.40 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $46.73 | $93.45 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $53.25 | $106.50 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.