Origin
Kenilworth, IL
Late night in Kenilworth on Tuesday
Local time
4:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kenilworth, IL to Rockford, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 42m
Distance
78.6 mi
126 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 35m
★
6 AM
1h 42m
8 AM
1h 57m
10 AM
1h 48m
12 PM
1h 46m
3 PM
1h 48m
5 PM
1h 57m
8 PM
1h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kenilworth, IL
Phil Ledwith
Rockford, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 78.6-mile drive from Kenilworth, IL to Rockford, IL takes about 1 hour and 42 minutes, making it a perfectly manageable day trip. You'll primarily use the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, Golf Road, and East State Street to connect these two Illinois communities. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, this is an economical journey. The overall feel is a turn-heavy local drive, offering a straightforward way to travel between the Midwest regions. Consider this a quick and efficient option for a single-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.3 miles from Kenilworth, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Jane Addams Memorial Tollway | 54.6 mi | 58m |
| Golf Road | 8.8 mi | 15m |
| East State Street | 6 mi | 10m |
| West Golf Road | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Gross Point Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| East Golf Road | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Ridge Road | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| East Jefferson Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
— 54.6 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kenilworth, IL and Rockford, IL.
1
Start on Park Drive
61 ft
·
5 sec
·
Park Drive
2
Turn right onto Green Bay Road
170 ft
·
7 sec
·
Green Bay Road
3
Turn right onto Kenilworth Avenue
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
Kenilworth Avenue
4
Turn slight left onto Ridge Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Ridge Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on Gross Point Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Gross Point Road
6
Turn right onto Golf Road
8.8 mi
·
15 min
·
Golf Road
Use the left lane.
7
Enter roundabout onto IL 58
208 ft
·
3 sec
·
North Wolf Road
8
Continue on IL 58
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
North Wolf Road
9
Continue on IL 58
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
East Golf Road
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on IL 58
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
West Golf Road
11
Continue on IL 58
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Golf Road
12
Turn left onto South Arlington Heights Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Arlington Heights Road
Use the left lane.
13
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 90 Toll West: Rockford
14
Merge onto I 90
55 mi
·
58 min
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward US 20 Business, State Street
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
17
Turn straight onto US 20 Business
6.0 mi
·
10 min
·
East State Street
18
Turn right onto US 20 Business
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Jefferson Street
19
Turn left onto North Wyman Street
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
North Wyman Street
20
Turn right onto West State Street
75 ft
·
2 sec
·
West State Street
21
Arrive at destination
West State Street
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 42-minute trip, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Since it's a relatively short drive of 78.6 miles, you won't need to worry about splitting it into overnight stays. The estimated fuel cost is a budget-friendly $12. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition between the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway and local roads like Golf Road and East State Street, as this route is described as 'turn-heavy'. A practical tip: consider a mid-drive stop for a quick refresh, perhaps before you hit the more local stretches in the latter half of your journey.
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 39.3 miles from Kenilworth, IL, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.6 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 17 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.3 miles or 54m 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 23m
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 Kenilworth, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Kenilworth, IL
This is one driving day of about 78.6 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Kenilworth, 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 54.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.3 miles from Kenilworth, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 135 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 71.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Green Bay Road
Turn right onto Green Bay Road
Navigation decision point
5
2.6 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
Golf Road
Turn right onto Golf Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
11.4 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
IL 58 / North Wolf Road
Enter roundabout onto IL 58 / North Wolf Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
16.5 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Merge onto I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
71.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
Take the exit toward US 20 Business, State Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 20 Business, State Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.29 one way
$24.58 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $13.49 | $26.98 |
| premium | $4.89 | $15.13 | $30.25 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.35 | $34.71 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.82
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(54.6 mi)
$3.82
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
$12
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.6 | 0 | $8.25 | $3.77 |
| Efficient EV | 19.7 | 0 | $6.88 | $3.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.4 | 0 | $11.00 | $5.03 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Rockford, IL
Late night in Rockford on Tuesday
Local time
4:14 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
3 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 42m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 2.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 78.6-mile journey. While the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway accounts for a significant 54.6-mile stretch, the route incorporates local roads like Golf Road and East State Street, meaning you won't be on pure highway the entire time. This mix offers a varied driving experience, transitioning from faster tollway travel to more local road navigation. The highway share is 0%, indicating a route that prioritizes directness over high-speed interstate travel. Be prepared for more frequent turns and adjustments as you navigate through different sections.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.6 mi on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Green Bay Road.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.6 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (Green Bay Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles (Golf Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.4 miles (IL 58 / North Wolf Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 42m. Total distance: 78.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.6 miles on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.82 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.
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: near the start (Green Bay Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles (Golf Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.4 miles (IL 58 / North Wolf Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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