How far is Rockford, IL from Red Bud, IL?

The driving distance from Rockford, IL to Red Bud, IL is about 313.4 miles (504.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 284.5 miles (457.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
313.41 mi
05h 58m
Flight
284.46 mi
457.8 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Rockford.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
284.46 mi
Kilometers
457.8 km
Flight Time
00h 34m

Driving Distance

Road route
313.41 mi
Kilometers
504.38 km
Drive Time
05h 58m

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 05h 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Red Bud
Thu, Apr 23, 7:12 AM CDT
Return by in Rockford
Thu, Apr 23, 1:10 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Rockford
2026-04-23T01:13
Arrive Red Bud
Thu, Apr 23, 7:12 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:58 AM to 1:58 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
5:04 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Rockford
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Lawndale
IL

Unincorporated community in Illinois, United States

From Rockford
156.8 mi
02h 59m
To Red Bud
156.6 mi
02h 59m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 16 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Rockford and Red Bud.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Rockford and Red Bud.

  1. 1

    Start on West State Street

    546 ft · 23 sec · West State Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Church Street

    1519 ft · 37 sec · South Church Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Cedar Street

    84 m · 5 sec · Cedar Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    3.6 mi · 6 min · South Main Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp left

    1707 ft · 44 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway

    4.3 mi · 5 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right

    1.2 km · 2 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight right

    118.2 mi · 2 hr 7 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur

    7.6 mi · 8 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

    64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis

    77.9 mi · 1 hr 24 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 159 South: Collinsville

    1434 ft · 48 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on Vandalia Street

    3 mi · 5 min · Vandalia Street

  14. 14

    Continue on South Morrison Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · South Morrison Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on North Illinois Street

    9.8 mi · 15 min · North Illinois Street

  16. 16

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Illinois Street

    55 m · 5 sec · South Illinois Street

  17. 17

    Exit the rotary onto South Illinois Street

    8.3 mi · 13 min · South Illinois Street

  18. 18

    Continue on State Route 159

    6.1 mi · 9 min · State Route 159

  19. 19

    Continue on North Main Street

    1163 ft · 20 sec · North Main Street

  20. 20

    Continue on N Main St

    810 ft · 14 sec · N Main St

  21. 21

    Continue on Main Street

    6.4 mi · 10 min · Main Street

  22. 22

    Turn right onto West Market Street

    17 m · 1 sec · West Market Street

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Market Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Rockford and Red Bud.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
23 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 South
150 mi · 48%
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
123 mi · 39%
North Illinois Street
9.76 mi · 3%
South Illinois Street
8.32 mi · 3%
Main Street
6.4 mi · 2%
State Route 159
6.14 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 58m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28.9 mi
284.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lawndale
02h 59m from Rockford
Leave By
5:04 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Rockford and Mostly Sunny near Red Bud.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Rockford to Red Bud?

The road trip is about 313.4 miles (504.4 km) and usually takes 05h 58m 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?

Lawndale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 156.8 miles from Rockford and 156.6 miles from Red Bud.

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

The direct path is about 284.5 miles (457.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:04 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.71 one way or $83.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 98.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Rockford and Mostly Sunny near Red Bud.

Stop Ideas Near Lawndale

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Lawndale and the surrounding midpoint area.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
Scenic stop 4.2 mi away

Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!

Atlanta , IL
865 SW Arch St, Atlanta, IL 61723, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Tourist attraction
City of Lincoln
Meeting point 6.8 mi away

City of Lincoln

Lincoln , IL
700 Broadway St, Lincoln, IL 62656
Rating 3.8/5 4 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lawndale.

RAIL

Lincoln

10 mi away
Broadway and North Chicago Sts.
RAIL

Uptown Station

41 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
RAIL

Springfield station

56 mi away
East Washington and North Third Sts.
BUS

Peoria, Illinois

61 mi away
6100 West Everett M. Dirksen Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Rockford and Red Bud. Straight-line distance: 284.46 mi (457.8 km).

Rockford

#1 Rockford

The second most populous city in Illinois.

Population144,835
Coordinates42.2711300, -89.0940000
Altitude218
CountryUnited States
Red Bud

#2 Red Bud

City in Randolph County, Illinois, United States

Population3,442
Coordinates38.2117200, -89.9942700
Altitude144
CountryUnited States
Start: Rockford (-89.094, 42.27113)
End: Red Bud (-89.99427, 38.21172)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 504 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 50m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 16m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 13m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 54m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
11.06 gal
41.86 L · about $41.71
Round trip
$83.41
22.12 gal · 83.72 L
Estimated CO2
98.3 kg one way
Round trip: 196.6 kg / 433 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $41.71 $83.41
Mid-grade $4.25 $47.04 $94.08
Premium $4.65 $51.47 $102.95
Diesel $5.30 $58.66 $117.32

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Rockford and Red Bud. The current time is 01:13:50.

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.