How far is Rockford, IL from Knox, IL?
The driving distance from Rockford, IL to Knox, IL is about 158 miles (254.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 110.1 miles (177.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 00m 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 03h 00m.
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.
City in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rockford and Knox.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockford and Knox.
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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
-
8
Merge slight right
21 mi · 23 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 West Toll: Moline, Rock Island
2931 ft · 50 sec
-
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
-
15
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
39.4 mi · 42 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward US 150, IL 97: Lewistown
1112 ft · 27 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on US 150 East: Brimfield
32 m · 3 sec
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18
Turn straight onto US 150 / IL 97
1302 ft · 20 sec · US 150 / IL 97
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19
Continue on Knox Road 1020 East
1.4 mi · 5 min · Knox Road 1020 East
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20
Turn left onto Mine Road
2682 ft · 2 min · Mine Road
-
21
Turn right onto Knox Station Road
45 m · 7 sec · Knox Station Road
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Knox Station Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rockford and Knox.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
39.4 mi · 00h 42m
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 Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Knox.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rockford to Knox?
The road trip is about 158 miles (254.3 km) and usually takes 03h 00m 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?
Lyndon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79 miles from Rockford and 79 miles from Knox.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 110.1 miles (177.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.9 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 12:30 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.04 one way or $42.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain around Rockford and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Knox.
Stop Ideas Near Lyndon
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 Lyndon.
Kewanee
Princeton
Moline, Illinois
Rock Island, IL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rockford and Knox. Straight-line distance: 110.13 mi (177.24 km).
#1 Rockford
The second most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 144,835 |
| Coordinates | 42.2711300, -89.0940000 |
| Altitude | 218 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Knox
County seat of Knox County, Tennessee, United States; third-largest city in Tennessee
| Population | 2,692 |
| Coordinates | 40.9342000, -90.2548500 |
| Altitude | 201 |
| Country | United States |
End: Knox (-90.25485, 40.9342)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 254 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.04 | $42.08 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.73 | $47.46 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.97 | $51.94 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.60 | $59.19 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.