Rail Splitter Rest Area - Southbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Rockford, IL to East Saint Louis, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 20m
Distance
290.9 mi
468 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
38 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 7m
★
6 AM
5h 20m
8 AM
5h 47m
10 AM
5h 30m
12 PM
5h 27m
3 PM
5h 31m
5 PM
5h 46m
8 PM
5h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rockford, IL
Wikimedia Commons
East Saint Louis, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Rockford, IL to East Saint Louis, IL is 290.9 miles and takes about 5h 20m via I-39 and I-55, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward trip entirely within Illinois, connecting two points in the Midwest. Expect a predominantly highway experience, making it a practical option for a single-day drive. It's a direct route for those needing to travel between these two cities without many detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
145.5 miles from Rockford, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 154.1 mi | 2h 47m |
| I 39 | 118.2 mi | 2h 6m |
| US 51 | 7.6 mi | 8m |
| U.S. Grant Memorial Highway | 4.3 mi | 4m |
| South Main Street | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| North 9th Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| South Church Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Exchange Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 154.1 mi, about 2h 47m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,899 veh/hr typical · worst 2,481
Quietest
2 AM
~168 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 103 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockford, IL and East Saint Louis, IL.
1
Start on West State Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
West State Street
2
Turn left onto IL 2
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
South Church Street
3
Turn left onto IL 2
275 ft
·
4 sec
·
Cedar Street
4
Turn right onto IL 2
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
South Main Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
6
Merge onto US 20
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
7
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
8
Merge onto I 39; US 51
118 mi
·
2 hr 6 min
·
I 39; US 51
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 51
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
US 51
Toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
65 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
89 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
248 ft
·
6 sec
·
I 70
Exit 3B; 3C
Toward I 70 West: Kansas City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 3C
Toward Exchange Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn left onto Exchange Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Exchange Avenue
15
Turn right onto North 9th Street
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
North 9th Street
16
Enter roundabout onto North 9th Street
118 ft
·
1 sec
·
North 9th Street
17
Continue on North 9th Street
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
North 9th Street
18
Enter roundabout onto North 9th Street
127 ft
·
2 sec
·
North 9th Street
19
Continue on North 9th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North 9th Street
20
Turn left onto Saint Louis Avenue
366 ft
·
15 sec
·
Saint Louis Avenue
21
Turn left onto North 10th Street
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
North 10th Street
22
Arrive at destination
0 ft
·
North 10th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 20m estimated drive time, leaving Rockford in the morning allows for arrival in East Saint Louis well before evening. With only one recommended stop and a mostly highway profile, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel level, especially during the 154.1-mile stretch on I-55, as services might be more spaced out in some sections. The $45 fuel estimate is a good baseline for budgeting this trip.
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 145.5 miles from Rockford, IL, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 154.1 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 64 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.5 miles or 2h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Saint Louis, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Rockford, 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 Rockford, IL
This is one driving day of about 290.9 miles and 5h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Rockford, 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 I 55 for about 154.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
145 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 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 145.5 miles from Rockford, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 154.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Homestead Rest Area - Southbound
0 mi from route
Rail Splitter Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Dixie Trucker's Home
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Willow Creek Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Coalfield Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Funks Grove Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Homestead Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.3 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.3 mi from route
Willow Creek Rest Area - Southbound
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.5 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.6 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.7 mi from route
Rest Area
1.6 mi from route
Rest Area
1.7 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
2.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 127.6 and 289.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
127.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m in
|
US 51
Keep slight right at fork onto US 51 toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champai...
8
135.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m in
|
I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
7
200 mi into trip
|
~3h 39m in
|
I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
8
289.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 16m in
|
I 70
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 toward I 70 West: Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 3B; 3C
Toward I 70 West: Kansas City
8
289.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 16m in
Take the exit toward Exchange Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 3C
Toward Exchange Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.53 one way
$97.05 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
102 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $52.74 | $105.48 |
| premium | $5.26 | $60.23 | $120.46 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $70.77 | $141.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
EV Charging Along Route
38 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Peru, IL - Tesla Supercharger
Peru, IL
Tesla
20 DCFC
Rockford, IL - 11th Street - Tesla Supercharger
Rockford, IL
Tesla
12 DCFC
Normal, IL - East College Avenue - Tesla Supercharger
Normal, IL
Tesla
12 DCFC
Normal, IL - West Raab Road - Tesla Supercharger
Normal, IL
Tesla
12 DCFC
Culvers Lincoln IL
Lincoln, IL
RED_E
10 DCFC
Rockford, IL - Tesla Supercharger
Cherry Valley, IL
Tesla
8 DCFC
Rochelle, IL - Tesla Supercharger
Rochelle, IL
Tesla
8 DCFC
Normal, IL
Normal, IL
RIVIAN_ADVENTURE
8 DCFC
ChargePoint Network: 9
Tesla: 7
UNIVERSAL: 5
RED_E: 3
Non-Networked: 3
FORD_CHARGE: 3
Electrify America: 2
eVgo Network: 2
IONNA: 1
Blink Network: 1
RIVIAN_ADVENTURE: 1
EV Connect: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 87.3 | 1 | $30.54 | $13.96 |
| Efficient EV | 72.7 | 0 | $25.45 | $11.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 116.4 | 1 | $40.73 | $18.62 |
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Origin
Rockford, IL
Morning in Rockford on Sunday
Local time
6:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
37°F
Clear
SSW 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
East Saint Louis, IL
Morning in East Saint Louis on Sunday
Local time
6:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Patchy Fog
SE 2 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
53°F
Bloomington, IL
145 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
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
5h 20m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 200.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 96% of the 290.9 miles on highways, with the vast majority of that time on I-55. The longest uninterrupted stretch on this route is 154.1 miles, all on I-55. You'll transition to surface roads near the end of your drive, after covering most of the distance on high-speed interstates. Expect a consistent driving experience with relatively frequent exits along the interstate portions.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 154.1 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 39. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 127.6 miles in near US 51.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 290.9 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 127.6 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 200 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
862 ft
417 ft
Total Climb
345 ft
Total Descent
644 ft
Highest Point
862 ft
~41.6 mi in
Elevation Range
445 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Rockford, IL and East Saint Louis, IL, road signs point toward Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur and Springfield.
Champaign
127.6 mi in
|
~2h 21m
|
via US 51
Saint Louis
127.6 mi in
|
~2h 21m
|
via US 51
Decatur
127.6 mi in
|
~2h 21m
|
via US 51
Springfield
135.2 mi in
|
~2h 29m
|
via I 55
About the Cities
Starting in Rockford, IL
Full guide →Founded 1852
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.
Top landmarks
- • Kenneth and Phyllis Laurent House — Usonian house
- • Herrick Cobblestone — house in Rockford, Illinois, USA
- • Haight Village Historic District — park in the United States of America
Arriving in East Saint Louis, IL
Full guide →Founded 1820
East St. Louis, commonly abbreviated as "ESL", is a city in Southern Illinois directly across the Mississippi River from St. Louis. It is a sprawling city with about 18,000 people, down from about 82,000 in the 1950s. While it attracts a few visitors who come mainly for gambling, East St. Louis is definitely not your typical travel destination. In 2013, it was considered to be the most dangerous city in the contiguous United States, based on violent crime statistics. A visit to ESL could be considered a way of getting a first-hand glimpse of the challenges that poverty-stricken U.S. urban areas face today.
Top landmarks
- • Eads Bridge — bridge spanning the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri
- • Spivey Building
- • Majestic Theatre — former movie theater in East St. Louis, Illinois, United States
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 5h 20m. Total distance: 290.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 154.1 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 35 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 East Saint Louis, 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. There are 35 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 127.6 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 200 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at East Saint Louis, IL before the return drive.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NREL for EV charging, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From East Saint Louis, IL
More trips to East Saint Louis, IL
Explore more options from Rockford, IL or browse trips ending in East Saint Louis, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.