How far is Rockford, IL from Jackson, IL?
The driving distance from Rockford, IL to Jackson, IL is about 317.1 miles (510.3 km), with a travel time of about 06h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 256.8 miles (413.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 20m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 De Witt County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rockford and Jackson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockford and Jackson.
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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 left to continue on I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur
45.3 mi · 48 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 57: Chicago, Memphis
1869 ft · 35 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
2939 ft · 50 sec
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13
Merge slight left
47.2 mi · 51 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward IL 16 East: Charleston
1676 ft · 47 sec
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15
Turn straight onto Charleston Avenue East
1.2 km · 1 min · Charleston Avenue East
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16
Continue on Illinois Route 16
6 mi · 8 min · Illinois Route 16
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17
Continue on West Lincoln Avenue
1.8 mi · 3 min · West Lincoln Avenue
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18
Turn right onto 18th Street
1.6 mi · 2 min · 18th Street
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19
Continue on Illinois Route 130
1.2 km · 1 min · Illinois Route 130
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20
Continue on Route 130
10 mi · 15 min · Route 130
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21
Continue on County Road 1825 East
2 mi · 3 min · County Road 1825 East
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22
Continue on County Road 1775 E
1.3 km · 1 min · County Road 1775 E
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23
Continue on North Haughton Highway
1945 ft · 33 sec · North Haughton Highway
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24
Continue on 1700E
1.3 mi · 2 min · 1700E
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25
Continue on North Haughton Highway
4 mi · 6 min · North Haughton Highway
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26
Continue on County Road 1700E
2.1 mi · 3 min · County Road 1700E
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27
Continue on North 1250th Street
13.3 mi · 20 min · North 1250th Street
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28
Turn left onto South Van Buren Street
11 mi · 15 min · South Van Buren Street
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29
Continue on County Road 1100 East
6.7 mi · 9 min · County Road 1100 East
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30
Continue on North West Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · North West Street
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31
Turn left onto West Butler Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · West Butler Street
-
32
Turn right onto North Lincoln Avenue
147 m · 17 sec · North Lincoln Avenue
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33
Turn left onto East Main Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
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34
Turn left
18.7 mi · 26 min
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35
Take the exit slight right
1 km · 1 min
-
36
Continue on State Street
2.4 mi · 4 min · State Street
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37
Turn right
78 m · 11 sec
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38
Continue on 990N
160 m · 11 sec · 990N
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39
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 990N
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rockford and Jackson.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Rockford and Partly Sunny near Jackson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rockford to Jackson?
The road trip is about 317.1 miles (510.3 km) and usually takes 06h 20m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Farmer City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 158.6 miles from Rockford and 158.5 miles from Jackson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 256.8 miles (413.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 60.3 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.20 one way or $84.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 99.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Rockford and Partly Sunny near Jackson.
Stop Ideas Near Farmer City
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 Farmer City.
Illinois Terminal
Uptown Station
Rantoul
Lincoln
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rockford and Jackson. Straight-line distance: 256.73 mi (413.17 km).
#1 Rockford
The second most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 144,835 |
| Coordinates | 42.2711300, -89.0940000 |
| Altitude | 218 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Jackson
County in Illinois, United States
| Population | 18,488 |
| Coordinates | 38.7211600, -87.6503000 |
| Altitude | 144 |
| Country | United States |
End: Jackson (-87.6503, 38.72116)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 510 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $42.20 | $84.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $47.59 | $95.18 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $52.08 | $104.16 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $59.35 | $118.70 |
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 29, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.