How far is Rockford, IL from South Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Rockford, IL to South Chicago, IL is about 98.7 miles (158.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 87.2 miles (140.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 22m 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 11m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Village in United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rockford and South Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockford and South Chicago.
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1
Start on West State Street
3.4 mi · 6 min · West State Street
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2
Turn right onto South Alpine Road
1.5 km · 2 min · South Alpine Road
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3
Continue on South Alpine Road
109 m · 14 sec · South Alpine Road
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4
Turn right
26 m · 4 sec
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5
Turn right onto Charles Street
2.8 mi · 5 min · Charles Street
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6
Turn right onto South Mall Drive
118 m · 19 sec · South Mall Drive
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7
Turn left onto Harrison Avenue
3021 ft · 1 min · Harrison Avenue
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8
Take the ramp slight left
1207 ft · 30 sec
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9
Merge slight left
912 ft · 11 sec
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East: Chicago
2544 ft · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
19.8 mi · 21 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
40.6 mi · 44 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
1772 ft · 22 sec · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
526 ft · 30 sec · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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15
Merge slight right onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
123 m · 5 sec · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward IL 171 South: Cumberland Avenue South
1 mi · 2 min · Cumberland flyover
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17
Keep slight left to continue on IL 171 South: Cumberland Avenue
75 m · 8 sec
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18
Turn right onto North Cumberland Avenue
874 ft · 28 sec · North Cumberland Avenue
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19
Continue on North Cumberland Avenue
2310 ft · 1 min · North Cumberland Avenue
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20
Turn right onto West Higgins Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Higgins Road
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21
Turn right onto North Oriole Avenue
99 m · 14 sec · North Oriole Avenue
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22
Turn left onto West Higgins Avenue
2.7 mi · 6 min · West Higgins Avenue
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23
Turn right onto North Central Avenue
929 ft · 26 sec · North Central Avenue
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24
Turn left onto West Lawrence Avenue
1858 ft · 43 sec · West Lawrence Avenue
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25
Turn right onto North Milwaukee Avenue
3138 ft · 1 min · North Milwaukee Avenue
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26
Turn left onto West Montrose Avenue
2904 ft · 1 min · West Montrose Avenue
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27
Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 East, I 94 East
1721 ft · 42 sec
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28
Merge slight left onto Kennedy Expressway
7.9 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway
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29
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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30
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
3.8 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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31
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East
2183 ft · 53 sec
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32
Merge slight right onto Dan Ryan Expressway (Local)
2612 ft · 50 sec · Dan Ryan Expressway (Local)
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33
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago Skyway
4.5 mi · 7 min · Chicago Skyway
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34
Turn straight onto Chicago Skyway
591 ft · 14 sec · Chicago Skyway
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35
Merge slight left onto Chicago Skyway
1651 ft · 40 sec · Chicago Skyway
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36
Take the exit slight right toward Anthony Avenue, 92nd Street
1381 ft · 34 sec
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37
Turn left onto South Anthony Avenue
110 m · 10 sec · South Anthony Avenue
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38
Turn left onto East 92nd Street
1409 ft · 50 sec · East 92nd Street
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39
Turn left onto South Commercial Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · South Commercial Avenue
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40
Turn left onto East 86th Street
829 ft · 39 sec · East 86th Street
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41
Turn right
66 m · 16 sec
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42
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rockford and South Chicago.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
40.6 mi · 00h 44m
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 Sunny leaving Rockford and Mostly Sunny near South Chicago.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rockford to South Chicago?
The road trip is about 98.7 miles (158.8 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?
East Dundee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.3 miles from Rockford and 49.4 miles from South Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 87.2 miles (140.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.5 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 2:08 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.12 one way or $26.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Rockford and Mostly Sunny near South Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near East Dundee
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 East Dundee.
Naperville
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rockford and South Chicago. Straight-line distance: 87.16 mi (140.27 km).
#1 Rockford
The second most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 144,835 |
| Coordinates | 42.2711300, -89.0940000 |
| Altitude | 218 |
| Country | United States |
#2 South Chicago
Former township in Cook County, Illinois
| Population | 28,095 |
| Coordinates | 41.7397700, -87.5542500 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Chicago (-87.55425, 41.73977)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 159 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $13.12 | $26.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $14.80 | $29.60 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $16.20 | $32.39 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $18.46 | $36.92 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.