How far is Rockford, IL from Preston Heights, IL?

The driving distance from Rockford, IL to Preston Heights, IL is about 106.7 miles (171.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 11m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 74.9 miles (120.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
106.66 mi
02h 11m
Flight
74.91 mi
120.56 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Rockford.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
74.91 mi
Kilometers
120.56 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
106.66 mi
Kilometers
171.66 km
Drive Time
02h 11m

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 11m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Preston Heights
Sun, Apr 19, 5:23 AM CDT
Return by in Rockford
Sun, Apr 19, 7:35 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Rockford
2026-04-19T03:12
Arrive Preston Heights
Sun, Apr 19, 5:23 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 11m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:12 AM to 12:12 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:06 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Rockford
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
South Barrington
IL

Village in United States of America

From Rockford
53.3 mi
01h 05m
To Preston Heights
53.4 mi
01h 05m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
51°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph WNW
Destination
53°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Rockford and Preston Heights.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Rockford and Preston Heights.

  1. 1

    Start on West State Street

    3.4 mi · 6 min · West State Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Alpine Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · South Alpine Road

  3. 3

    Continue on South Alpine Road

    109 m · 14 sec · South Alpine Road

  4. 4

    Turn right

    26 m · 4 sec

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Charles Street

    2.8 mi · 5 min · Charles Street

  6. 6

    Turn right onto South Mall Drive

    118 m · 19 sec · South Mall Drive

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Harrison Avenue

    3021 ft · 1 min · Harrison Avenue

  8. 8

    Take the ramp slight left

    1207 ft · 30 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    912 ft · 11 sec

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East: Chicago

    2544 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

    19.8 mi · 21 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

    29.8 mi · 32 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs

    2618 ft · 1 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs

    1686 ft · 41 sec

  15. 15

    Continue on I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs

    1362 ft · 33 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left

    5.7 mi · 7 min

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on I 355 South Tollway: Joliet

    32.7 mi · 39 min

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Iowa

    3275 ft · 56 sec

  19. 19

    Merge slight left

    6.6 mi · 9 min

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward US 52, IL 53: Chicago Street

    947 ft · 32 sec

  21. 21

    Turn right onto South Chicago Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · South Chicago Street

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Zurich Road

    82 m · 13 sec · Zurich Road

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Haviland Drive

    61 m · 9 sec · Haviland Drive

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Haviland Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Rockford and Preston Heights.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
24 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
22.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
49.5 mi · 46%
I 355 South Tollway
32.7 mi · 31%
I 80 West
7.2 mi · 7%
I 290 East
6.25 mi · 6%
West State Street
3.45 mi · 3%
Charles Street
2.84 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 355 South Tollway

Keep slight left to continue on I 355 South Tollway: Joliet

32.7 mi · 00h 39m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 11m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+31.8 mi
74.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
South Barrington
01h 05m from Rockford
Leave By
2:06 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Rockford and Mostly Sunny near Preston Heights.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Rockford to Preston Heights?

The road trip is about 106.7 miles (171.7 km) and usually takes 02h 11m 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?

South Barrington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 53.3 miles from Rockford and 53.4 miles from Preston Heights.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 74.9 miles (120.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.8 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 2:06 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.18 one way or $28.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Rockford and Mostly Sunny near Preston Heights.

Stop Ideas Near South Barrington

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around South Barrington, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to South Barrington.

RAIL

Glenview station

26 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

Naperville

35 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.
RAIL

La Grange Road

37 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Summit

42 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Rockford and Preston Heights. Straight-line distance: 74.91 mi (120.56 km).

Rockford

#1 Rockford

The second most populous city in Illinois.

Population144,835
Coordinates42.2711300, -89.0940000
Altitude218
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Preston Heights

Census designated place

Population2,575
Coordinates41.4917000, -88.0817200
Altitude192
CountryUnited States
Start: Rockford (-89.094, 42.27113)
End: Preston Heights (-88.08172, 41.4917)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 172 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 40m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 46m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 31m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.76 gal
14.25 L · about $14.18
Round trip
$28.36
7.52 gal · 28.5 L
Estimated CO2
33.4 kg one way
Round trip: 66.8 kg / 147 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $14.18 $28.36
Mid-grade $4.25 $15.99 $31.98
Premium $4.65 $17.50 $35.00
Diesel $5.30 $19.94 $39.89

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Rockford and Preston Heights. The current time is 03:12:06.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.