How far is Rockford, IL from South Chicago Heights, IL?
The driving distance from Rockford, IL to South Chicago Heights, IL is about 109.2 miles (175.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 92.7 miles (149.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 47m 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 23m.
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 Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockford and South Chicago Heights.
-
1
Start on West State Street
3.4 mi · 6 min · West State Street
-
2
Turn right onto South Alpine Road
1.5 km · 2 min · South Alpine Road
-
3
Continue on South Alpine Road
109 m · 14 sec · South Alpine Road
-
4
Turn right
26 m · 4 sec
-
5
Turn right onto Charles Street
2.8 mi · 5 min · Charles Street
-
6
Turn right onto South Mall Drive
118 m · 19 sec · South Mall Drive
-
7
Turn left onto Harrison Avenue
3021 ft · 1 min · Harrison Avenue
-
8
Take the ramp slight left
1207 ft · 30 sec
-
9
Merge slight left
912 ft · 11 sec
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East: Chicago
2544 ft · 1 min
-
11
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
19.8 mi · 21 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
29.8 mi · 32 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs
2618 ft · 1 min
-
14
Keep slight right to continue on I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs
1686 ft · 41 sec
-
15
Continue on I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs
1362 ft · 33 sec
-
16
Merge slight left
5.7 mi · 7 min
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on I 290 East: Chicago
9.3 mi · 12 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
1648 ft · 40 sec
-
19
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
1937 ft · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway
-
20
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1 mi · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
21
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
42 m · 2 sec · Tri-State Tollway
-
22
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
23
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
24
Continue on Mile-Long Bridge
1.5 km · 1 min · Mile-Long Bridge
-
25
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
15.1 mi · 19 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
26
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.5 km · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
27
Take the exit slight right toward Hazel Crest, Homewood
1168 ft · 18 sec
-
28
Merge slight right
1676 ft · 26 sec
-
29
Take the exit slight right toward Dixie Highway
1387 ft · 25 sec
-
30
Turn right onto Dixie Highway
1.5 km · 2 min · Dixie Highway
-
31
Continue on Dixie Highway
562 ft · 20 sec · Dixie Highway
-
32
At the end of the road, turn right onto Dixie Highway
4.1 mi · 9 min · Dixie Highway
-
33
At the end of the road, turn right onto Chicago Road
2 mi · 5 min · Chicago Road
-
34
Turn right onto West Sauk Trail
9 m · 1 sec · West Sauk Trail
-
35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Sauk Trail
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rockford and South Chicago Heights.
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
29.8 mi · 00h 32m
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 Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rockford to South Chicago Heights?
The road trip is about 109.2 miles (175.8 km) and usually takes 02h 23m 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 54.6 miles from Rockford and 54.7 miles from South Chicago Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 92.7 miles (149.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.5 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 1:42 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.52 one way or $29.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Rockford and Mostly Sunny near South Chicago Heights.
Stop Ideas Near South Barrington
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 South Barrington.
Glenview station
Naperville
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rockford and South Chicago Heights. Straight-line distance: 92.7 mi (149.19 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 Heights
Village in United States of America
| Population | 3,957 |
| Coordinates | 41.4808700, -87.6378200 |
| Altitude | 218 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Chicago Heights (-87.63782, 41.48087)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 176 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $14.52 | $29.04 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $16.37 | $32.75 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $17.92 | $35.84 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $20.42 | $40.84 |
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.