Origin
Crestwood, IL
Evening in Crestwood on Friday
Local time
8:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Crestwood, IL to Rockford, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 59m
Distance
356 mi
573 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$56
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 48m
★
6 AM
6h 59m
8 AM
7h 22m
10 AM
7h 7m
12 PM
7h 5m
3 PM
7h 8m
5 PM
7h 21m
8 PM
6h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Crestwood, IL
Choco Kitty
Rockford, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Crestwood, IL to Rockford, IL covers 356 miles and takes about 6h 59m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 51, Ken Gray Expressway, North Water Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 157.5 miles on US 51. At current regular gas prices, budget about $55.66 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
178 miles from Crestwood, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 34m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 59m. Total distance: 356 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 59m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 59m highway drive covering 356 miles, with most of the trip on US 51 and Ken Gray Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 157.5 miles on US 51.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 45 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 51 is the longest continuous segment at about 157.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 51 and Ken Gray Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Ridgeway.
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 356 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 0.1 miles (Ridgeway): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (McKinney Chapel Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (Lake Egypt Road): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 26 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Ridgeway
Turn right onto Ridgeway
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
McKinney Chapel Road
Turn left onto McKinney Chapel Road
Navigation decision point
5
3.4 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
Lake Egypt Road
At end of road, turn left onto Lake Egypt Road
Navigation decision point
5
4.7 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
IL 148
At end of road, turn right onto IL 148
Navigation decision point
7
226.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 35m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Crestwood, IL and Rockford, IL, road signs point toward Sandoval and Decatur.
Sandoval
76.3 mi in
|
~1h 30m
Decatur
170.3 mi in
|
~3h 22m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 51 | 157.5 mi | 2h 52m |
| Ken Gray Expressway | 70.9 mi | 1h 16m |
| North Water Street | 27.4 mi | 36m |
| South Superior Street | 15.1 mi | 17m |
| North 1450 East Road | 14.7 mi | 17m |
| 300E | 13.5 mi | 15m |
| County Road 875 East | 11.1 mi | 12m |
| 150E | 10.4 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
US 51
— 157.5 mi, about 2h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Crestwood, IL and Rockford, IL.
1
Start on Pinewood Drive
385 ft
·
19 sec
·
Pinewood Drive
2
Turn right onto Ridgeway
283 ft
·
18 sec
·
Ridgeway
3
Turn left onto McKinney Chapel Road
255 ft
·
11 sec
·
McKinney Chapel Road
4
Continue on McKinney Chapel Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
McKinney Chapel Road
5
Turn right onto Power Plant Road
2.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Power Plant Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto Lake Egypt Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Lake Egypt Road
7
Turn left onto IL 37
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
IL 37
8
At end of road, turn right onto IL 148
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
IL 148
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
10
Merge onto I 57
50 mi
·
54 min
·
Ken Gray Expressway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Ken Gray Expressway
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
13
Merge onto US 50
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
14
Continue on US 50
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
East Poplar Street
15
Continue on US 50
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Poplar
16
Turn right onto US 51
10 mi
·
11 min
·
150E
17
Continue on US 51
13 mi
·
15 min
·
300E
18
Turn left onto US 40; US 51; IL 185
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
US 40; US 51; IL 185
19
Turn right onto US 40; US 51; IL 185
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Kennedy Boulevard
20
Continue on US 51
11 mi
·
12 min
·
County Road 875 East
21
Continue on US 51
15 mi
·
17 min
·
South Superior Street
22
Continue on US 51
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road 2400 East
23
Continue on US 51
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Fair Avenue
24
Continue on US 51
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
·
South Poplar Street
25
Turn right onto US 51; IL 16
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East 1st Street
26
Turn left onto US 51; IL 16
382 ft
·
5 sec
·
Cedar Street
27
Turn right onto US 51; IL 16
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Jackson Street
28
Continue on US 51; IL 16
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North 2600 East Road
29
Turn left onto US 51
29 mi
·
33 min
·
US 51
30
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward Decatur
31
Keep slight right at fork
144 ft
·
3 sec
Toward Decatur
32
Turn straight onto US 51 Business
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Business Route 51
33
Continue on US 51 Business
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
South Main Street
34
Continue on US 51 Business
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Franklin Street
35
Continue on US 51 Business
27 mi
·
36 min
·
North Water Street
36
Continue on US 51
15 mi
·
17 min
·
North 1450 East Road
Use the straight lane.
37
Take the exit onto US 51
8.9 mi
·
10 min
·
US 51
Toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, Rockford
38
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.
39
Take the exit
1.1 mi
·
2 min
Toward US 20 West: Freeport, Rockford
40
Merge onto US 20
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
41
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward IL 2: Rockford, Dixon
42
Keep slight right at fork
281 ft
·
6 sec
43
Turn straight onto IL 2
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
South Main Street
44
Turn right onto West State Street
148 ft
·
4 sec
·
West State Street
45
Arrive at destination
West State Street
Trip Plan
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 178 miles from Crestwood, IL, or about 3h 34m 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 78 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178 miles or 3h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 50m
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 Crestwood, 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 Crestwood, IL
This is one driving day of about 356 miles and 6h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Crestwood, 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 US 51 for about 157.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 178 mi from Crestwood, IL · 3h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
178 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 78 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 178 miles from Crestwood, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 51 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 157.5 miles.
Arriving in Rockford, IL
The final approach into Rockford, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Rockford, IL.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.66 one way
$111.31 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
125 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $61.11 | $122.22 |
| premium | $4.89 | $68.51 | $137.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $78.60 | $157.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 106.8 | 1 | $37.38 | $17.09 |
| Efficient EV | 89 | 1 | $31.15 | $14.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 142.4 | 1 | $49.84 | $22.78 |
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Rockford, IL
Evening in Rockford on Friday
Local time
8:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Isolated Rain Showers
NW 5 to 10 mph
21% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 12:33PM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 16 at 12:29PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
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
8 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
6h 59m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Crestwood, IL to Rockford, IL covers 356 miles and takes about 6h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 51, Ken Gray Expressway, North Water Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 178 miles from Crestwood, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $55.66 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 356 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Ridgeway): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (McKinney Chapel Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (Lake Egypt Road): Navigation decision point.
Between Crestwood, IL and Rockford, IL, road signs point toward Sandoval and Decatur.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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.
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