Origin
Rock Island, IL
Night in Rock Island on Saturday
Local time
11:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rock Island, IL to Palatine, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 25m
Distance
171.6 mi
276 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 13m
★
6 AM
3h 25m
8 AM
3h 50m
10 AM
3h 34m
12 PM
3h 31m
3 PM
3h 35m
5 PM
3h 48m
8 PM
3h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rock Island, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Palatine, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 171.6-mile trip from Rock Island, IL to Palatine, IL will take approximately 3 hours and 25 minutes to complete. It's a straightforward, single-day drive, making it an easy option for a quick getaway or a practical commute. You'll primarily be on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) and the Veterans Memorial Tollway. With a fuel cost estimated at $27, this route is budget-friendly for a solo traveler or couple. The drive stays within the Midwest region, offering a familiar landscape as you travel across Illinois.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
85.8 miles from Rock Island, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway | 88.3 mi | 1h 37m |
| I 88 | 43.8 mi | 46m |
| Veterans Memorial Tollway | 10.6 mi | 13m |
| John Deere Road | 10.6 mi | 15m |
| I 290 | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| 5th Avenue | 2.4 mi | 5m |
| I 74 | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| IL 53 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
— 88.3 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rock Island, IL and Palatine, IL.
1
Start on US 67
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
15th Street
2
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
5th Avenue
3
Continue on IL 92
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
38th Street
4
Turn left onto IL 92
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
7th Avenue
5
Continue on IL 92
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
5th Avenue
6
Continue on IL 92
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
5th Avenue
7
Turn straight onto IL 92
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
·
6th Avenue
8
Turn right onto 14th Street
329 ft
·
14 sec
·
14th Street
9
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
7th Avenue
10
Turn right onto 19th Street
67 ft
·
1 sec
·
19th Street
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
12
Merge onto I 74; US 6
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
I 74; US 6
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward IL 5 East
14
Merge onto IL 5
11 mi
·
15 min
·
John Deere Road
15
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 5; IL 92
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
IL 5; IL 92
16
Continue on I 88; IL 92
44 mi
·
46 min
·
I 88; IL 92
17
Continue on I 88; IL 110
88 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 132
Toward I 355 Toll North: Northwest Suburbs
Use the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto I 355
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 290
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
I 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward Kirchoff Road
Use the right lane.
23
Turn left onto Kirchoff Road
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Kirchoff Road
24
Turn right onto West Frontage Road
400 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Frontage Road
25
Continue on Hicks Road
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Hicks Road
26
Turn left onto US 14
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
East Northwest Highway
27
Turn left onto East Palatine Road
73 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Palatine Road
Use the left lane.
28
Arrive at destination
East Palatine Road
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 25-minute duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Consider leaving earlier in the morning to avoid potential midday traffic, especially as you get closer to Palatine. With only one stop recommended, you have flexibility in where and when you choose to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $27 estimated cost suggests a straightforward fuel plan. A good tip for this route is to ensure you have an I-PASS or E-ZPass transponder, as you'll be utilizing toll roads for a significant portion of the 171.6 miles.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 85.8 miles from Rock Island, IL, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.3 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 38 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.8 miles or 1h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palatine, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Rock Island, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Rock Island, IL
This is one driving day of about 171.6 miles and 3h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Rock Island, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for about 88.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 85.8 miles from Rock Island, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.3 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 175 decision points cluster between mile 3.5 and 171.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.5 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
14th Street
Turn right onto 14th Street
Navigation decision point
7
150 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m in
Take the exit toward I 355 Toll North: Northwest Suburbs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 132
Toward I 355 Toll North: Northwest Suburbs
6
166.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 17m in
|
IL 53
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
169.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m in
Take the exit toward Kirchoff Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward Kirchoff Road
6
171.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 25m in
|
East Palatine Road
Turn left onto East Palatine Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.83 one way
$53.66 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $29.46 | $58.91 |
| premium | $4.89 | $33.02 | $66.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.89 | $75.77 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.04
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(88.3 mi)
$5.30
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(10.6 mi)
$0.74
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
$27
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.5 | 0 | $18.02 | $8.24 |
| Efficient EV | 42.9 | 0 | $15.01 | $6.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.6 | 0 | $24.02 | $10.98 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Destination
Palatine, IL
Night in Palatine on Saturday
Local time
11:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 mph
38% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 11:30AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 11:30AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
50°F
Sterling, IL
86 mi in
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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 25m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 153.9
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 mixed drive on this route, with 32% of the journey on highways. The Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch at 88.3 miles, so be prepared for sustained driving on this major artery. While much of the route involves efficient travel on toll roads, the overall profile suggests a blend of faster highway segments and potentially some more varied driving as you approach your destination. This means you'll experience both the rhythm of consistent speed and the subtle changes in road conditions.
32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 88.3 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.5 miles in near 14th Street.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 171.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.5 miles (14th Street): Navigation decision point; at 150 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 166.9 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Rock Island, IL
Full guide →Founded 1841
Rock Island is one of the Quad Cities in Western Illinois. Downtown Rock Island has art galleries and theaters, nightclubs and coffee shops, and restaurants of all flavors. Golf courses, parks, a casino, botanical center, marina, historic tours, bike paths, and festivals offer entertainment opportunities.
Top landmarks
- • Lock and Dam No. 15 — lock and dam on the Mississippi River between Rock Island, Illinois and Davenpor...
- • Black Hawk State Historic Site — state park in Illinois, USA
- • Black Hawk Museum and Lodge — historic building in Rock Island, Illinois, USA
Arriving in Palatine, IL
Full guide →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 3h 25m. Total distance: 171.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 88.3 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.04 in tolls one way, starting with Reagan 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Palatine, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.5 miles (14th Street): Navigation decision point; at 150 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 166.9 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Palatine, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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