How far is Shields, IL from Rockford, IL?
The driving distance from Shields, IL to Rockford, IL is about 315.7 miles (508.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 263.5 miles (424.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 05h 07m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Township in McLean County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Shields and Rockford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shields and Rockford.
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1
Start on North Papertown Lane
14 m · 4 sec · North Papertown Lane
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2
Turn right onto 2350 North
570 ft · 25 sec · 2350 North
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3
Continue on East Depeche Road
1.1 km · 2 min · East Depeche Road
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4
Continue on County Highway 15
2659 ft · 1 min · County Highway 15
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5
Continue on County Road 1450N
1.2 km · 2 min · County Road 1450N
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6
Continue on County Highway 15
1794 ft · 49 sec · County Highway 15
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7
Continue on County Road 1430N
1125 ft · 31 sec · County Road 1430N
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8
Continue on County Road 1420N
1.4 km · 2 min · County Road 1420N
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9
Turn left onto County Highway 13
3.2 mi · 8 min · County Highway 13
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10
Continue on County Road 250E
4.8 mi · 11 min · County Road 250E
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11
Continue on County Highway 13
2.5 mi · 6 min · County Highway 13
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12
Continue on Fairfield Road
1.6 mi · 4 min · Fairfield Road
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13
Continue on Fairfield Street
999 ft · 27 sec · Fairfield Street
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14
Turn slight left onto South Main Street
1078 ft · 32 sec · South Main Street
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15
Turn right onto Front Street
635 ft · 17 sec · Front Street
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16
Continue on Church Street
1.5 km · 2 min · Church Street
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17
Continue on Xenia Iola Road
1309 ft · 36 sec · Xenia Iola Road
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18
Turn right
7.6 mi · 9 min
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19
Turn left onto County Road 925 E
16.2 mi · 24 min · County Road 925 E
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20
Continue on United States Route 45
14.9 mi · 22 min · United States Route 45
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21
Turn right onto West Fayette Avenue
1123 ft · 33 sec · West Fayette Avenue
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22
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · South 3rd Street
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23
Take the ramp right toward I-57 North, I-70 East: Champaign, Terre Haute
2624 ft · 1 min
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24
Merge slight left
1.3 km · 55 sec
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25
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
73.9 mi · 1 hr 19 min
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26
Take the exit slight right toward I 74 West: Peoria
2688 ft · 1 min
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27
Merge slight left
51.4 mi · 55 min
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28
Continue straight
1.5 km · 59 sec
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29
Take the exit slight right toward I 39 North: Rockford
119.9 mi · 2 hr 9 min
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30
Take the exit slight left toward US 20 West: Freeport, Rockford
1.1 mi · 2 min
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31
Merge slight left onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
4.7 mi · 5 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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32
Take the exit slight right toward IL 2: Rockford, Dixon
1810 ft · 44 sec
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33
Keep slight right
86 m · 7 sec
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34
Turn straight onto South Main Street
3.7 mi · 6 min · South Main Street
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35
Turn right onto West State Street
45 m · 4 sec · West State Street
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36
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West State Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Shields and Rockford.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 39 North
Take the exit slight right toward I 39 North: Rockford
120 mi · 02h 09m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Shields and Mostly Sunny near Rockford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Shields to Rockford?
The road trip is about 315.7 miles (508.1 km) and usually takes 05h 07m 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?
Empire is a useful midpoint, sitting about 157.8 miles from Shields and 157.9 miles from Rockford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 263.5 miles (424.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 52.2 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 6:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.01 one way or $84.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 99 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Shields and Mostly Sunny near Rockford.
Stop Ideas Near Empire
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 Empire.
Uptown Station
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Lincoln
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Shields and Rockford. Straight-line distance: 263.54 mi (424.13 km).
#1 Shields
Township in Lake County, Illinois
| Population | 36,451 |
| Coordinates | 38.4678300, -88.7133900 |
| Altitude | 150 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Rockford
The second most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 144,835 |
| Coordinates | 42.2711300, -89.0940000 |
| Altitude | 218 |
| Country | United States |
End: West State Street (-89.094046, 42.271066)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 508 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $42.01 | $84.02 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $47.38 | $94.76 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $51.85 | $103.69 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $59.09 | $118.17 |
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.