How far is Rockford, IL from Rock Island, IL?
The driving distance from Rockford, IL to Rock Island, IL is about 122.6 miles (197.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 92.8 miles (149.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 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 02h 30m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Lee County, Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rockford and Rock Island.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockford and Rock Island.
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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
Continue straight
3.7 mi · 5 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward IL 84 North, IL 92 West: Silvis
7.9 mi · 20 min
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16
Continue on 6th Avenue
588 ft · 17 sec · 6th Avenue
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17
Continue on 5th Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · 5th Avenue
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18
Continue on 4th Avenue
1.1 km · 2 min · 4th Avenue
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19
Turn right onto 15th Street
141 m · 15 sec · 15th Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 15th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rockford and Rock Island.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
37.8 mi · 00h 41m
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Rockford and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Rock Island.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rockford to Rock Island?
The road trip is about 122.6 miles (197.3 km) and usually takes 02h 30m 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?
Nelson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.2 miles from Rockford and 61.4 miles from Rock Island.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 92.8 miles (149.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.8 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 1:30 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.33 one way or $32.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Rockford and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Rock Island.
Stop Ideas Near Nelson
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 Nelson.
Princeton
Mendota station
Kewanee
Rockford, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rockford and Rock Island. Straight-line distance: 92.74 mi (149.25 km).
#1 Rockford
The second most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 144,835 |
| Coordinates | 42.2711300, -89.0940000 |
| Altitude | 218 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Rock Island
City in Illinois
| Population | 36,870 |
| Coordinates | 41.5094800, -90.5787500 |
| Altitude | 171 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rock Island (-90.57875, 41.50948)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 197 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.33 | $32.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $18.42 | $36.83 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.15 | $40.30 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $22.97 | $45.93 |
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 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.