How far is Rockford, IL from Mount Sterling, IL?
The driving distance from Rockford, IL to Mount Sterling, IL is about 243.1 miles (391.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 180.1 miles (289.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 38m 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 04h 49m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Village in Henry County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rockford and Mount Sterling.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockford and Mount Sterling.
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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
21 mi · 23 min
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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
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
31.3 mi · 34 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 34 West: Monmouth
49.6 mi · 59 min
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17
Continue on East 1200th Street
1.2 mi · 1 min · East 1200th Street
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18
Continue on North Lafayette Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · North Lafayette Street
-
19
Turn left onto East Calhoun Street
629 ft · 18 sec · East Calhoun Street
-
20
Take the exit slight right
982 ft · 35 sec
-
21
Turn left onto East Jackson Street
2.7 mi · 4 min · East Jackson Street
-
22
Turn right onto East 1500th Street
24.3 mi · 34 min · East 1500th Street
-
23
Turn right onto West Clinton Street
15.7 mi · 23 min · West Clinton Street
-
24
Turn right
107 m · 21 sec
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25
Turn left onto East North Street
15 m · 4 sec · East North Street
-
26
Turn right onto East Court Street
104 m · 17 sec · East Court Street
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27
Turn right onto East Washington Street
2 m · 1 sec · East Washington Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Washington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rockford and Mount Sterling.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 34 West
Take the exit slight right toward US 34 West: Monmouth
49.6 mi · 00h 59m
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.
Sunny leaving Rockford and Mostly Sunny near Mount Sterling.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rockford to Mount Sterling?
The road trip is about 243.1 miles (391.2 km) and usually takes 04h 49m 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?
Orion is a useful midpoint, sitting about 121.5 miles from Rockford and 121.5 miles from Mount Sterling.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 180.1 miles (289.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 63 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 7:22 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.36 one way or $64.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Rockford and Mostly Sunny near Mount Sterling.
Stop Ideas Near Orion
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 Orion.
Moline, Illinois
Rock Island, IL
Davenport, Iowa
Kewanee
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rockford and Mount Sterling. Straight-line distance: 180.13 mi (289.89 km).
#1 Rockford
The second most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 144,835 |
| Coordinates | 42.2711300, -89.0940000 |
| Altitude | 218 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Mount Sterling
Township in Brown County, Illinois
| Population | 2,495 |
| Coordinates | 39.9872700, -90.7634600 |
| Altitude | 221 |
| Country | United States |
End: Mount Sterling (-90.76346, 39.98727)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 391 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.36 | $64.71 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.49 | $72.98 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $39.93 | $79.86 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $45.51 | $91.02 |
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 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.