Origin
Willowbrook, IL
Late night in Willowbrook on Tuesday
Local time
3:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Willowbrook, IL to Rockford, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 37m
Distance
125.2 mi
202 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 27m
★
6 AM
2h 37m
8 AM
2h 58m
10 AM
2h 45m
12 PM
2h 43m
3 PM
2h 46m
5 PM
2h 57m
8 PM
2h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Willowbrook, IL
Pho Tomass
Rockford, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Willowbrook, IL to Rockford, IL is 125.2 miles and takes about 2h 37m via Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, Tri-State Tollway, and Calumet Expressway, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a drive that involves more turns and local road segments than a pure interstate journey. With a recommended single day for travel, this route is best suited for those who prefer a less direct, more varied driving experience.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
62.6 miles from Willowbrook, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Jane Addams Memorial Tollway | 61.8 mi | 1h 6m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 40 mi | 50m |
| Calumet Expressway | 8.9 mi | 12m |
| East State Street | 6 mi | 10m |
| East Exchange Street | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| South State Line Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| East Jefferson Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Challas Drive | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
— 61.8 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Willowbrook, IL and Rockford, IL.
1
Start on Longwood Drive
329 ft
·
19 sec
·
Longwood Drive
2
Turn left onto Buried Oak Drive
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Buried Oak Drive
3
Turn left onto Challas Drive
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Challas Drive
4
At end of road, turn right onto South State Line Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South State Line Road
5
Turn right onto CH 49
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
East Exchange Street
6
Turn right onto IL 394
8.9 mi
·
12 min
·
Calumet Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 80, I 294 North, I 94 East: Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 80 West, I 294 North: Iowa, Wisconsin
9
Merge onto I 80; I 294
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
24 mi
·
29 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
10 mi
·
13 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 40
Toward I 190 West, I 90: O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, Rockford, River Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 90 West Toll, I 90 East: Rockford, Chicago
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 Toll West: Rockford
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 90
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
62 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward US 20 Business, State Street
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
20
Turn straight onto US 20 Business
6.0 mi
·
10 min
·
East State Street
21
Turn right onto US 20 Business
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Jefferson Street
22
Turn left onto North Wyman Street
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
North Wyman Street
23
Turn right onto West State Street
75 ft
·
2 sec
·
West State Street
24
Arrive at destination
West State Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 37m estimated duration and the 'turn-heavy' profile, it's wise to start your journey in Willowbrook, IL earlier in the day to maximize daylight. The $20 fuel cost suggests this is an economical trip, but keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is always a good idea, especially when transitioning between major tollways and local roads. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility; consider a mid-drive break for stretching before the longest 61.8-mile segment on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. Pay close attention to GPS or mapping apps as you'll be making several turns.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 62.6 miles from Willowbrook, IL, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.8 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 28 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.6 miles or 1h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 7m
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 Willowbrook, 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 Willowbrook, IL
This is one driving day of about 125.2 miles and 2h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Willowbrook, 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 Jane Addams Memorial Tollway for about 61.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 62.6 miles from Willowbrook, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Jane Addams Memorial Tollway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 4.8 and 55.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.8 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
IL 394 / Calumet Expressway
Turn right onto IL 394 / Calumet Expressway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
13.6 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward I 80, I 294 North, I 94 East: Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 80, I 294 North, I 94 East: Iowa, Wisc...
8
54.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward I 190 West, I 90: O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, Rockford, River Road
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 40
Toward I 190 West, I 90: O'Hare International A...
7
54.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 West Toll, I 90 East: Rockford, Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90 West Toll, I 90 East: Rockford, Chi...
7
55.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 Toll West: Rockford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 Toll West: Rockford
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.57 one way
$39.15 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.49 | $42.98 |
| premium | $4.89 | $24.09 | $48.19 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.64 | $55.29 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.71
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(61.6 mi)
$4.31
Tri-state Tollway
(40 mi)
$2.40
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
$20
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.6 | 0 | $13.15 | $6.01 |
| Efficient EV | 31.3 | 0 | $10.96 | $5.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.1 | 0 | $17.53 | $8.01 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Rockford, IL
Late night in Rockford on Tuesday
Local time
3:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 10 to 25 mph
36% chance
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
18 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 37m 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?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive' with only a 7% share on highways. While you'll touch upon major arteries like the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, the majority of the drive involves navigating local roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 61.8 miles on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, after which you can anticipate more frequent turns and intersections. Be prepared for a driving experience that requires attention to navigation and local traffic patterns.
Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.8 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 4.8 miles in near IL 394 / Calumet Expressway.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 125.2 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 4.8 miles (IL 394 / Calumet Expressway): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Willowbrook, IL and Rockford, IL, road signs point toward Wisconsin, Indiana and Chicago.
Wisconsin
13.6 mi in
|
~21m
Indiana
13.6 mi in
|
~21m
Chicago
54.6 mi in
|
~1h 14m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 37m. Total distance: 125.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.8 miles on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.71 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 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.8 miles (IL 394 / Calumet Expressway): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Rockford, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. 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 Rockford, IL
More from Willowbrook, IL
More trips to Rockford, IL
Explore more options from Willowbrook, IL or browse trips ending in Rockford, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.