How far is Rockford, IL from Lake of the Woods, IL?
The driving distance from Rockford, IL to Lake of the Woods, IL is about 176.7 miles (284.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 147.6 miles (237.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 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 03h 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.
City in Marshall County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rockford and Lake of the Woods.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockford and Lake of the Woods.
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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
38.4 mi · 41 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward IL 47: Mahomet
1750 ft · 38 sec
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12
Turn right onto North Lombard Street
2121 ft · 1 min · North Lombard Street
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13
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Oak Street
2380 ft · 56 sec · East Oak Street
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14
Turn left onto South Lake of the Woods Road
1.8 mi · 4 min · South Lake of the Woods Road
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15
Turn right
92 m · 24 sec
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16
Turn left
42 m · 10 sec
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rockford and Lake of the Woods.
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.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Rockford and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake of the Woods.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rockford to Lake of the Woods?
The road trip is about 176.7 miles (284.3 km) and usually takes 03h 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?
Wenona is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.4 miles from Rockford and 88.3 miles from Lake of the Woods.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 147.6 miles (237.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.1 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 10:24 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.49 one way or $46.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Rockford and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake of the Woods.
Stop Ideas Near Wenona
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 Wenona.
Pontiac station
Princeton
Dwight station
Mendota station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rockford and Lake of the Woods. Straight-line distance: 147.55 mi (237.46 km).
#1 Rockford
The second most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 144,835 |
| Coordinates | 42.2711300, -89.0940000 |
| Altitude | 218 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lake of the Woods
Census designated place in Illinois, United States
| Population | 2,912 |
| Coordinates | 40.2064200, -88.3686700 |
| Altitude | 228 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake of the Woods (-88.36867, 40.20642)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 284 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.49 | $46.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.50 | $52.99 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.99 | $57.99 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.04 | $66.09 |
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 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.