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Trip from Rockford, IL to Glen Ellyn, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 5, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 32m

Distance

73.1 mi

118 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 25m ★
6 AM
1h 32m
8 AM
1h 46m
10 AM
1h 37m
12 PM
1h 36m
3 PM
1h 38m
5 PM
1h 46m
8 PM
1h 28m

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

Best Time
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Downtown Rockford, IL, IL

Rockford, IL

Wikimedia Commons

town in DuPage County, Illinois, USA

Glen Ellyn, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Rockford, IL to Glen Ellyn, IL covers 73.1 miles and takes about 1h 32m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, I 290, I 355 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 49.5 miles on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.33 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

36.5 miles from Rockford, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway 49.5 mi 53m
I 290 5.7 mi 7m
I 355 4.6 mi 5m
West State Street 3.4 mi 6m
Charles Street 2.8 mi 5m
Main Street 1.8 mi 4m
North Avenue 1.3 mi 2m
South Alpine Road 1 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Jane Addams Memorial Tollway — 49.5 mi, about 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on West State Street

3.4 mi · 6 min · West State Street
2

Turn right onto South Alpine Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · South Alpine Road
3

Continue on South Alpine Road

359 ft · 14 sec · South Alpine Road
4

Turn right

87 ft · 3 sec
5

Turn right onto Charles Street

2.8 mi · 5 min · Charles Street
6

Turn right onto South Mall Drive

388 ft · 19 sec · South Mall Drive
7

Turn left onto Harrison Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · Harrison Avenue
8

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec
9

Merge onto I 39; US 51

0.2 mi · 11 sec · I 39; US 51
10

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90 East: Chicago
11

Merge onto I 90

20 mi · 21 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90

30 mi · 31 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 68A-B Toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs Use the slight right lane.
14

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Exit 68A Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs Use the slight right lane.
15

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 33 sec · this road
Exit 68A Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs
16

Merge onto I 290; IL 53

5.7 mi · 7 min · I 290; IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto I 355

4.6 mi · 5 min · I 355
Exit 7 Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet Use the slight left lane.
18

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Exit 27 Toward IL 64: North Avenue Use the slight right lane.
19

Turn right onto IL 64

1.3 mi · 2 min · North Avenue
20

Turn left onto Main Street

1.8 mi · 4 min · Main Street
Use the straight lane.
21

Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue

73 ft · 1 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
22

Arrive at destination

Pennsylvania Avenue

Trip Plan

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 36.5 miles from Rockford, IL, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.5 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 16 miles or 24m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 36.5 miles or 46m 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 15m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Glen Ellyn, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Rockford, IL

This is one driving day of about 73.1 miles and 1h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Rockford, 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 49.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

marine invertebrates of the class Anthozoa

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Coral, IL

37 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

Belvidere, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lake in the Hills, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 36.5 miles from Rockford, 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Nay Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Glendale Heights, Illinois

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+16308683744

Visit website

Seven Dwarfs Family Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Wheaton, Illinois

1.8 mi

Ivy Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Wheaton, Illinois

2.3 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Shibam Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Glendale Heights, Illinois

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+12244487577

Visit website

Kids Art & Play Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Schaumburg, Illinois

2.2 mi

Jerusalem Cafe - Restaurant and Grill - Lombard

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lombard, Illinois

2.5 mi

Nay Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Glendale Heights, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+16308683744

Visit website

Seven Dwarfs Family Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Wheaton, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+16306537888

Visit website

Ivy Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately

Wheaton, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+16306652489

Visit website

McDonald's Glendale Heights-O’Keefe Family Restaurants

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Inexpensiv

Glendale Heights, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16308719007

Visit website

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour Moderately

Downers Grove, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13312159463

Visit website

Simon's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Villa Park, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+16305300200

Visit website

Shibam Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Glendale Heights, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+12244487577

Visit website

Kids Art & Play Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv

Schaumburg, Illinois

Hours: Closed

+16305231101

Visit website

Jerusalem Cafe - Restaurant and Grill - Lombard

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Lombard, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+16306296400

Visit website

Garden Prairie Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Garden Prairie, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+18155971190

Visit website

Belvidere Oasis

0 mi from route

TA

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

QuikTrip

0.2 mi from route

Speedway

0.3 mi from route

Road Ranger

0.4 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.4 mi from route

Midway Village Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Rockford, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18153979112

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 28.6 and 69.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
28.6 mi into trip | ~38m 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.
8
58.4 mi into trip | ~1h 9m in

Take the exit toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 68A-B Toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs
9
58.8 mi into trip | ~1h 11m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 68A Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West S...
8
65.1 mi into trip | ~1h 19m in | I 355

Keep slight left at fork onto I 355 toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Exit 7 Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
7
69.7 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in

Take the exit toward IL 64: North Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 27 Toward IL 64: North Avenue

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.33 one way

$22.67 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 26 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.32 $12.43 $24.85
premium $4.93 $14.18 $28.37
diesel $5.60 $16.11 $32.23

Estimated Tolls: $3.46

Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (49.5 mi) $3.46

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

$11

Tolls

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 25.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 21.9 0 $7.68 $3.51
Efficient EV 18.3 0 $6.40 $2.92
EV Truck/SUV 29.2 0 $10.23 $4.68

Gas CO2

26 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (65% 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 Aug 31, 2026

Origin

Rockford, IL

Night in Rockford on Friday

Local time

9:59 PM

CDT

Current temp

86°F

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 10 to 15 mph 31% chance Live forecast

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued August 31 at 2:51AM CDT until September 2 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued August 31 at 1:44AM CDT until September 3 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL

Destination

Glen Ellyn, IL

Night in Glen Ellyn on Friday

Local time

9:59 PM

CDT

Current temp

87°F

Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 10 to 15 mph 27% chance Live forecast

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued August 31 at 2:51AM CDT until September 2 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued August 31 at 1:44AM CDT until September 3 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL

61°F

Coral, IL

37 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

1h 32m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

73.1 mi in 1h 32m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.

Only 14% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.5 mi on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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 28.6 miles in near I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.1 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 28.6 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

898 ft 710 ft

Total Climb

437 ft

Total Descent

415 ft

Highest Point

898 ft

~36.5 mi in

Elevation Range

188 ft

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 Rockford, IL to Glen Ellyn, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Suburbs along the way.

Suburbs

58.4 mi in | ~1h 9m

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 Glen Ellyn, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1834

Glen Ellyn is a village in the Chicagoland area. This village has an interesting history filled with its ups and downs. However, today Glen Ellyn remains an affluent Chicago suburb with an abundance of historic sites and an exceptional dining scene.

Top landmarks

  • • Glen Ellyn Downtown South Historic District — historic district in Illinois, United States
  • • Lake Ellyn Park — park in Glen Ellyn, Illinois

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 32m. Total distance: 73.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 49.5 miles on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $3.46 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 — we found about 7 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 Glen Ellyn, 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 28.6 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Glen Ellyn, 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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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