This 104.1-mile journey from Rockford, IL to South Holland, IL, is a manageable one-day trip taking approximately 2 hours and 13 minutes. Your drive will primarily utilize the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway and the Tri-State Tollway, with a portion on I-290. With an estimated fuel cost of $16, this route through the Midwest is straightforward and efficient. It's designed for a single day, so you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay. The drive offers a practical way to travel between these two Illinois locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52 miles from Rockford, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
49.5 mi
53m
Tri-State Tollway
23.8 mi
30m
I 290
14.9 mi
19m
West State Street
3.4 mi
6m
Charles Street
2.8 mi
5m
West 159th Street
2.7 mi
5m
West 162nd Street
1.1 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 South Holland, 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-BToward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West SuburbsUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 68AToward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West SuburbsUse the slight right lane.
15
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·33 sec·this road
Exit 68AToward 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 right at fork onto I 290
9.3 mi·12 min·I 290
Toward I 290 East: ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 15AToward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, IndianaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 294
0.4 mi·47 sec·Tri-State Tollway
Exit 15AToward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
1.0 mi·2 min·Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
21
Merge onto I 294
137 ft·1 sec·Tri-State Tollway
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
3.5 mi·4 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 294
0.9 mi·1 min·Mile-Long Bridge
25
Continue on I 294
14 mi·17 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 6B-AToward US 6: 159th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward US 6 East: 159th Street
28
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 6AToward US 6 East: 159th StreetUse the right lane.
29
Turn straight onto US 6
2.7 mi·5 min·West 159th Street
30
Continue on US 6
1.1 mi·2 min·West 162nd Street
31
Arrive at destination
US 6
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of about 2 hours and 13 minutes, this trip is best suited for a single day. Consider departing earlier in the morning to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area. Since there are no mandated stops, you have the flexibility to pause when needed for fuel or a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $16 estimated cost suggests it's a manageable expense for the trip, but it's always wise to fuel up before you're running on empty, particularly before merging onto the Tri-State Tollway.
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 52 miles from Rockford, IL, or about 1h 3m 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 23 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52 miles or 1h 3m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Holland, 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 104.1 miles and 2h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 58.4 and 100 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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...
7
65.1 mi into trip|~1h 19m in|I 290
Keep slight right at fork onto I 290 toward I 290 East: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 290 East: Chicago
8
74.4 mi into trip|~1h 31m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 15A
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
9
100 mi into trip|~2h 5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 6 East: 159th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 6A
Toward US 6 East: 159th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.27 one way
$32.55 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$17.87
$35.74
premium
$4.89
$20.03
$40.07
diesel
$5.61
$22.98
$45.97
Estimated Tolls: $4.89
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(49.5 mi)$3.46
Tri-state Tollway
(23.8 mi)$1.43
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
$16
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.2
0
$10.93
$5.00
Efficient EV
26
0
$9.11
$4.16
EV Truck/SUV
41.6
0
$14.57
$6.66
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Rockford, IL
Late night
in Rockford on Sunday
Local time
3:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
South Holland, IL
Late night
in South Holland on Sunday
Local time
3:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°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
20 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
2h 13m 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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 104.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive with a significant number of turns, as indicated by its 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile. While 15% of the route is on highways, the majority involves navigating local roads and interchanges. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 49.5 miles on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. This means you'll experience a varied driving experience, shifting between quicker highway segments and more deliberate navigation through communities.
Only 15% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 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 58.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 104.1 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 65.1 miles (I 290): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 South Holland, IL, road signs point toward Suburbs and Indiana.
Suburbs
58.4 mi in|~1h 9m
Indiana
74.4 mi in|~1h 31m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 13m. Total distance: 104.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
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 $4.89 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.
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 South Holland, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 65.1 miles (I 290): 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at South Holland, IL before heading back.
