How far is Rockford, IL from Kankakee, IL?
The driving distance from Rockford, IL to Kankakee, IL is about 135.7 miles (218.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 101.8 miles (163.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 49m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Village in DuPage County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain
Partly Sunny then Patchy Blowing Dust
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rockford and Kankakee.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockford and Kankakee.
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1
Start on West State Street
3.4 mi · 6 min · West State Street
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2
Turn right onto South Alpine Road
1.5 km · 2 min · South Alpine Road
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3
Continue on South Alpine Road
109 m · 14 sec · South Alpine Road
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4
Turn right
26 m · 4 sec
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5
Turn right onto Charles Street
2.8 mi · 5 min · Charles Street
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6
Turn right onto South Mall Drive
118 m · 19 sec · South Mall Drive
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7
Turn left onto Harrison Avenue
3021 ft · 1 min · Harrison Avenue
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8
Take the ramp slight left
1207 ft · 30 sec
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9
Merge slight left
912 ft · 11 sec
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East: Chicago
2544 ft · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
19.8 mi · 21 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
29.8 mi · 32 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs
2618 ft · 1 min
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs
1686 ft · 41 sec
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15
Continue on I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs
1362 ft · 33 sec
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16
Merge slight left
5.7 mi · 7 min
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I 290 East: Chicago
9.3 mi · 12 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
1648 ft · 40 sec
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19
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
1937 ft · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1 mi · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway
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21
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
42 m · 2 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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22
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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23
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway
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24
Continue on Mile-Long Bridge
1.5 km · 1 min · Mile-Long Bridge
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25
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
8.5 mi · 11 min · Tri-State Tollway
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26
Take the exit slight right toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street
1162 ft · 28 sec
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27
Keep slight left to continue on IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue
2529 ft · 1 min
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28
Turn straight onto Cicero Avenue
4.9 mi · 8 min · Cicero Avenue
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29
Turn left onto 167th Street
855 ft · 26 sec · 167th Street
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30
Take the ramp slight right toward I 57 South: Kankakee, I-80
3048 ft · 1 min
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31
Merge slight left
34 mi · 38 min
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32
Take the exit slight right toward IL 17: Kankakee, Momence
1316 ft · 34 sec
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33
Turn right
79 m · 8 sec
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34
Turn straight onto East Court Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · East Court Street
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Court Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rockford and Kankakee.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 57 South
Merge slight left
34 mi · 00h 38m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Rain leaving Rockford and Partly Sunny then Patchy Blowing Dust near Kankakee.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rockford to Kankakee?
The road trip is about 135.7 miles (218.4 km) and usually takes 02h 49m 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?
Addison is a useful midpoint, sitting about 67.8 miles from Rockford and 67.9 miles from Kankakee.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 101.8 miles (163.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:52 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.06 one way or $36.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain around Rockford and Partly Sunny then Patchy Blowing Dust near Kankakee.
Stop Ideas Near Addison
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 Addison.
La Grange Road
Summit
Naperville
Glenview station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rockford and Kankakee. Straight-line distance: 101.84 mi (163.89 km).
#1 Rockford
The second most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 144,835 |
| Coordinates | 42.2711300, -89.0940000 |
| Altitude | 218 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Kankakee
City in Kankakee County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 25,668 |
| Coordinates | 41.1200300, -87.8611500 |
| Altitude | 200 |
| Country | United States |
End: Kankakee (-87.86115, 41.12003)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 218 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $18.06 | $36.13 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $20.37 | $40.74 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $22.29 | $44.59 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $25.41 | $50.81 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.