Origin
Rockford, IL
Late night in Rockford on Sunday
Local time
4:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 6m
Distance
96 mi
155 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rockford, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Mount Greenwood, IL
NIKOLAI FOMIN
This 96-mile drive from Rockford, IL to Mount Greenwood, IL is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 6 minutes. You'll primarily navigate using the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, I-290, and the Tri-State Tollway, with about 16% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $15. Given its relatively short duration and Midwest setting, it's a straightforward journey without the need for an overnight stay. Plan for a day trip with some flexibility for local road segments.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48 miles from Rockford, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Jane Addams Memorial Tollway | 49.5 mi | 53m |
| I 290 | 14.9 mi | 19m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 13.1 mi | 17m |
| West State Street | 3.4 mi | 6m |
| West 95th Street | 3 mi | 6m |
| Charles Street | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| West 93rd Street | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| South Pulaski Road | 1 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Rockford, IL and Mount Greenwood, IL.
Start on West State Street
Turn right onto South Alpine Road
Continue on South Alpine Road
Turn right
Turn right onto Charles Street
Turn right onto South Mall Drive
Turn left onto Harrison Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 39; US 51
Take the exit
Merge onto I 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on this road
Merge onto I 290; IL 53
Keep slight right at fork onto I 290
Take the exit
Continue on I 294
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
Merge onto I 294
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
Continue on I 294
Continue on I 294
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto US 12; US 20
Turn left onto Southwest Highway
Continue on West 93rd Street
Turn right onto IL 50
Turn left onto US 12; US 20
Turn right onto South Pulaski Road
Turn left onto West 103rd Street
Turn right onto South Central Park Avenue
Turn left onto West 107th Street
Turn right onto South Saint Louis Avenue
Arrive at destination
For this 96-mile journey, leaving in the morning or mid-afternoon can help you avoid potential rush hour traffic, especially as you get closer to Mount Greenwood. With a duration of just over two hours, you likely won't need scheduled stops for rest, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge; the estimated cost is $15. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means staying alert for frequent turns and changes in speed limits as you transition off the main tollways. A practical tip is to have your GPS ready for the final leg, as navigating the local roads into Mount Greenwood can be complex.
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.
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 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48 miles or 58m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mount Greenwood, IL than in the middle of the route.
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 96 miles and 2h 6m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 48 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 58.4 and 88.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
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
Take the exit toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward US 12 East, US 20 East: 95th Street, 76th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward US 12, US 20 East: 95th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$14.65 one way
$29.29 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.27 | $16.13 | $32.26 |
| premium | $4.81 | $18.16 | $36.33 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $20.42 | $40.84 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.24
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
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.8 | 0 | $10.08 | $4.61 |
| Efficient EV | 24 | 0 | $8.40 | $3.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.4 | 0 | $13.44 | $6.14 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Rockford on Sunday
Local time
4:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Mount Greenwood on Sunday
Local time
4:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this route, despite some highway mileage. While 16% of the trip is on highways, the majority involves navigating local roads and making turns, which contributes to the overall 2-hour duration. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 49.5 miles on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. This suggests a drive that transitions between faster-paced tollway sections and more intricate, stop-and-go local travel as you approach your destination.
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 58.4 miles in.
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 28 significant decision points across 96 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 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; at 74.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Rockford, IL and Mount Greenwood, IL, road signs point toward Suburbs and Indiana.
Suburbs
Indiana
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 6m. Total distance: 96 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
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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