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Trip from Burbank, IL to Rockford, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 56m

Distance

95.3 mi

153 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 48m ★
6 AM
1h 56m
8 AM
2h 13m
10 AM
2h 2m
12 PM
2h 1m
3 PM
2h 3m
5 PM
2h 12m
8 PM
1h 51m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Burbank, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Rockford, IL, IL

Rockford, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 95.3-mile drive from Burbank, IL to Rockford, IL takes about 1 hour and 56 minutes, making it a manageable day trip. You'll primarily navigate using the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway and the Tri-State Tollway, with East State Street serving as a key local road towards the end. With an estimated fuel cost of $15, this route is an economical option for a quick getaway within the Midwest. The overall feel is more of a turn-heavy local journey than a straight highway cruise, offering a different pace for your travels.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

47.7 miles from Burbank, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway 61.8 mi 1h 6m
Tri-State Tollway 22 mi 27m
East State Street 6 mi 10m
West 95th Street 1.3 mi 2m
South Ridgeland Avenue 1 mi 1m
East Jefferson Street 0.7 mi 1m
North Wyman Street 0.2 mi <1m
West State Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Jane Addams Memorial Tollway — 61.8 mi, about 1h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Burbank, IL and Rockford, IL.

1

Start on West 87th Street

59 ft · 3 sec · West 87th Street
2

Turn left onto South Ridgeland Avenue

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Ridgeland Avenue
Use the left lane.
3

Turn right onto US 12; US 20

1.3 mi · 2 min · West 95th Street
4

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 58 sec
Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin Use the right lane.
5

Merge onto I 294

12 mi · 14 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

10 mi · 13 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Exit 40 Toward I 190 West, I 90: O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, Rockford, River Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward I 90 West Toll, I 90 East: Rockford, Chicago
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90 Toll West: Rockford Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 90

0.2 mi · 12 sec · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90

62 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Toward US 20 Business, State Street
13

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 21 sec
14

Turn straight onto US 20 Business

6.0 mi · 10 min · East State Street
15

Turn right onto US 20 Business

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Jefferson Street
16

Turn left onto North Wyman Street

0.2 mi · 24 sec · North Wyman Street
17

Turn right onto West State Street

75 ft · 2 sec · West State Street
18

Arrive at destination

West State Street

Trip Plan

Given the 1 hour and 56-minute duration and 95.3-mile distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, offering flexibility for departure times. Plan your fuel stops accordingly, with an estimated cost of $15 for the journey, and consider that the "turn-heavy local drive" profile means you won't have long stretches without needing to adjust your course. Keep an eye out for the transition onto East State Street as you approach Rockford, as this marks a shift to more local navigation. Since there are no specific stops listed, you can easily incorporate spontaneous breaks as needed.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 47.7 miles from Burbank, IL, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.8 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 21 miles or 28m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 47.7 miles or 59m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 32m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rockford, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Burbank, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Burbank, IL

This is one driving day of about 95.3 miles and 1h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Burbank, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway for about 61.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

village in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Palatine, IL

48 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Des Plaines, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Elgin, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 47.7 miles from Burbank, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Jane Addams Memorial Tollway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 14.4 and 26.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
14.4 mi into trip | ~20m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
24.8 mi into trip | ~33m in

Take the exit toward I 190 West, I 90: O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, Rockford, River Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 40 Toward I 190 West, I 90: O'Hare International A...
7
25 mi into trip | ~34m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 West Toll, I 90 East: Rockford, Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 90 West Toll, I 90 East: Rockford, Chi...
7
25.2 mi into trip | ~34m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 Toll West: Rockford

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 90 Toll West: Rockford
6
26.2 mi into trip | ~36m in | I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.90 one way

$29.80 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 33 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $16.36 $32.72
premium $4.89 $18.34 $36.68
diesel $5.61 $21.04 $42.08

Estimated Tolls: $5.63

Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (61.6 mi) $4.31
Tri-state Tollway (22 mi) $1.32

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Tolls

$6

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 33.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 28.6 0 $10.01 $4.57
Efficient EV 23.8 0 $8.34 $3.81
EV Truck/SUV 38.1 0 $13.34 $6.10

Gas CO2

33 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Burbank, IL

Morning in Burbank on Tuesday

Local time

7:41 AM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Rockford, IL

Morning in Rockford on Tuesday

Local time

7:41 AM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

1 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 56m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" profile for this 95.3-mile journey. While you'll experience stretches on major tollways like the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted segment of 61.8 miles, the route incorporates significant local road driving. The highway share is 0%, indicating a focus on surface streets and connections rather than high-speed interstate travel. This means you'll be making more frequent turns and adjustments as you navigate through various towns and communities.

Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.8 mi on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.4 miles in near I 294 / Tri-State Tollway.

Driving Effort 9/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 95.3 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 14.4 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Burbank, IL to Rockford, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Chicago along the way.

Chicago

24.8 mi in | ~33m

About the Cities

Starting in Burbank, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1970

Burbank is a city in Chicagoland, Illinois.

Arriving in Rockford, IL

Full guide →

Rockford is a city in the Rock River Valley in Northern Illinois. With a population of over 145,000 (2019), it is the third largest city in the state.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 56m. Total distance: 95.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 61.8 miles on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $5.63 in tolls one way, starting with Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Rockford, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 14.4 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Rockford, IL before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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