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Trip from Rosiclare, IL to Rockford, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 52m

Distance

387 mi

623 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$61

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
7h 43m ★
6 AM
7h 52m
8 AM
8h 10m
10 AM
7h 58m
12 PM
7h 57m
3 PM
7h 59m
5 PM
8h 9m
8 PM
7h 47m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Hardin County, Illinois, United States

Rosiclare, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Rockford, IL, IL

Rockford, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 387-mile drive from Rosiclare, IL to Rockford, IL will take you approximately 7 hours and 52 minutes, making it a feasible, though long, day trip. You'll primarily be traveling on US 51, with portions on Ken Gray Expressway and North Main Street. With a fuel cost estimated at $59, this Midwest journey is straightforward and efficient. The route is designed for a single day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider breaking it up. You'll encounter two recommended stops along the way to break up the drive.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

193.5 miles from Rosiclare, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 6m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 51 157.5 mi 2h 52m
Ken Gray Expressway 44.4 mi 48m
North Main Street 31.6 mi 47m
North Water Street 27.4 mi 36m
IL 34 24.9 mi 37m
South Superior Street 15.1 mi 17m
North 1450 East Road 14.7 mi 17m
300E 13.5 mi 15m
Longest stretch: US 51 — 157.5 mi, about 2h 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Hopkinton Street

23 ft · 0 sec · Hopkinton Street
2

Turn right onto IL 34

2.1 mi · 3 min · IL 34
3

Turn left onto IL 34; IL 146

3.5 mi · 4 min · IL 34; IL 146
4

Turn right onto IL 34

17 mi · 24 min · IL 34
5

Continue on IL 34; IL 145

5.9 mi · 9 min · IL 34; IL 145
6

At end of road, turn right onto US 45; IL 34

1.2 mi · 1 min · South Commercial Street
7

Turn left onto IL 13; IL 34

0.6 mi · 51 sec · IL 13; IL 34
8

Take the exit

174 ft · 4 sec
9

Turn slight right onto IL 34

32 mi · 47 min · North Main Street
10

Enter roundabout onto IL 14

408 ft · 9 sec · West Main Street
11

Continue on IL 14

0.6 mi · 55 sec · West Main Street
12

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec
13

Merge onto I 57

24 mi · 26 min · Ken Gray Expressway
14

Keep slight right at fork onto I 57

20 mi · 22 min · Ken Gray Expressway
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
15

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec
Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
16

Merge onto US 50

2.4 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
17

Continue on US 50

2.7 mi · 3 min · East Poplar Street
18

Continue on US 50

2.7 mi · 3 min · Poplar
19

Turn right onto US 51

10 mi · 11 min · 150E
20

Continue on US 51

13 mi · 15 min · 300E
21

Turn left onto US 40; US 51; IL 185

0.5 mi · 35 sec · US 40; US 51; IL 185
22

Turn right onto US 40; US 51; IL 185

1.6 mi · 1 min · North Kennedy Boulevard
23

Continue on US 51

11 mi · 12 min · County Road 875 East
24

Continue on US 51

15 mi · 17 min · South Superior Street
25

Continue on US 51

2.0 mi · 2 min · County Road 2400 East
26

Continue on US 51

0.6 mi · 2 min · Fair Avenue
27

Continue on US 51

0.4 mi · 31 sec · South Poplar Street
28

Turn right onto US 51; IL 16

0.4 mi · 1 min · East 1st Street
29

Turn left onto US 51; IL 16

382 ft · 5 sec · Cedar Street
30

Turn right onto US 51; IL 16

0.5 mi · 1 min · Jackson Street
31

Continue on US 51; IL 16

1.0 mi · 1 min · North 2600 East Road
32

Turn left onto US 51

29 mi · 33 min · US 51
33

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward Decatur
34

Keep slight right at fork

144 ft · 3 sec
Toward Decatur
35

Turn straight onto US 51 Business

2.6 mi · 3 min · South Business Route 51
36

Continue on US 51 Business

0.1 mi · 19 sec · South Main Street
37

Continue on US 51 Business

1.6 mi · 2 min · South Franklin Street
38

Continue on US 51 Business

27 mi · 36 min · North Water Street
39

Continue on US 51

15 mi · 17 min · North 1450 East Road
Use the straight lane.
40

Take the exit onto US 51

8.9 mi · 10 min · US 51
Toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, Rockford
41

Take the exit onto US 51

120 mi · 2 hr 8 min · US 51
Exit 164 Toward I 39 North: Rockford Use the slight right lane.
42

Take the exit

1.1 mi · 2 min
Toward US 20 West: Freeport, Rockford
43

Merge onto US 20

4.7 mi · 5 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
44

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward IL 2: Rockford, Dixon
45

Keep slight right at fork

281 ft · 6 sec
46

Turn straight onto IL 2

3.7 mi · 6 min · South Main Street
47

Turn right onto West State Street

148 ft · 4 sec · West State Street
48

Arrive at destination

West State Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 7-hour, 52-minute trip from Rosiclare to Rockford, aim for an early morning departure to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only two recommended stops and a longest stretch of 157.5 miles on US 51, you can plan your breaks strategically. Consider stopping around the halfway point to refuel and stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer stretches, to ensure you don't run low between services. This drive is manageable in one day, but if you prefer a more leisurely pace, an overnight stop would be easy to arrange.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 193.5 miles from Rosiclare, IL, or about 4h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 157.5 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 85 miles or 1h 59m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 193.5 miles or 4h 6m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 43m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rockford, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Rosiclare, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Rosiclare, IL

This is one driving day of about 387 miles and 7h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Rosiclare, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 51 for about 157.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Hillsboro, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hillsboro, IL

194 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

Odin, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 85 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mount Zion, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 193.5 miles from Rosiclare, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 51 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 157.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Mulligan's Bar and Grille At Oak Terrace

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Pana, Illinois

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 165.9

Hours: 4–9 pm

+12175394477

Visit website

Tequilas Mexican Restaurant- Harrisburg

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Harrisburg, Illinois

2 mi

The Fit Hub Rochelle

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Rochelle, Illinois

2.5 mi

Mulligan's Bar and Grille At Oak Terrace

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 165.9

Pana, Illinois

Hours: 4–9 pm

+12175394477

Visit website

Tequilas Mexican Restaurant- Harrisburg

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 27.6

Harrisburg, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16182524267

Visit website

The Fit Hub Rochelle

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 359.3

Rochelle, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18152184988

Acres Bistro

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 359.3

Rochelle, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18157628212

Denny's Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 138.2

Vandalia, Illinois

Hours: 5 am–12 pm

+16182839880

Visit website

El Rey Del Taco Mendota

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 331.7

Mendota, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+18155397100

Signature Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 248.8

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+13095852588

Visit website

El Patrón Mexican Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 110.6

Salem, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16182670081

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 248.8

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+13096641222

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 248.8

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–12 pm

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 248.8

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

State Farm Parking Garage

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 248.8

Bloomington, Illinois

Electrify America Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 248.8

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 248.8

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

EV Connect Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 248.8

Bloomington, Illinois

+18668167584

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 248.8

Bloomington, Illinois

+31880109500

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 26

5 decision points cluster between mile 61.9 and 257.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
61.9 mi into trip | ~1h 33m in | IL 14 / West Main Street

Enter roundabout onto IL 14 / West Main Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
86.8 mi into trip | ~2h 1m in | I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway toward I 57 North: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 57 North: Chicago
5
107.3 mi into trip | ~2h 23m in

Take the exit toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval

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

Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
5
201.8 mi into trip | ~4h 16m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Decatur

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward Decatur
7
257.3 mi into trip | ~5h 28m in | US 51

Take the exit onto US 51 toward I 39 North: Rockford

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 164 Toward I 39 North: Rockford

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$60.50 one way

$121.01 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 135 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $66.43 $132.86
premium $4.89 $74.47 $148.95
diesel $5.61 $85.44 $170.89

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$61

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$86–$111

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 135.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 116.1 1 $40.64 $18.58
Efficient EV 96.8 1 $33.86 $15.48
EV Truck/SUV 154.8 1 $54.18 $24.77

Gas CO2

135 kg

EV CO2

45 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Rosiclare, IL

Evening in Rosiclare on Saturday

Local time

8:29 PM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Rockford, IL

Evening in Rockford on Saturday

Local time

8:29 PM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

W 5 to 10 mph 31% 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

73°F

Hillsboro, IL

194 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

9 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

7h 52m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a mixed drive on this 387-mile route, with about 60% of it on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 157.5 miles along US 51, offering a good opportunity to cover significant ground. While much of the drive is on main roads, you'll also experience segments on local streets like Ken Gray Expressway and North Main Street. This blend means you'll get a feel for both faster travel and more community-oriented roadways as you make your way north through Illinois.

60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
48 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 157.5 mi on US 51.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 61.9 miles in near IL 14 / West Main Street.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 387 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 61.9 miles (IL 14 / West Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 86.8 miles (I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 107.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

798 ft 351 ft

Total Climb

581 ft

Total Descent

216 ft

Highest Point

798 ft

~359.3 mi in

Elevation Range

446 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Rosiclare, IL and Rockford, IL, road signs point toward Sandoval and Decatur.

Sandoval

107.3 mi in | ~2h 23m

Decatur

201.3 mi in | ~4h 15m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 52m. Total distance: 387 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 52m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 157.5 miles on US 51. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Rockford, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 61.9 miles (IL 14 / West Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 86.8 miles (I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 107.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.9 hours each way, a round trip means 15.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Rockford, 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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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