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Trip from Elk Grove, IL to Rock Island, IL

Data updated 3 hours ago

Drive Time

3h 21m

Distance

164.2 mi

264 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 9m ★
6 AM
3h 21m
8 AM
3h 45m
10 AM
3h 30m
12 PM
3h 27m
3 PM
3h 31m
5 PM
3h 44m
8 PM
3h 14m

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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Downtown Elk Grove, IL, IL

Elk Grove, IL

Wikimedia Commons

city in and the county seat of Rock Island County, Illinois, United States

Rock Island, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Elk Grove, IL to Rock Island, IL covers 164.2 miles and takes about 3h 21m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, IL 92 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 95.3 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.67 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

82.1 miles from Elk Grove, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a 3h 21m drive with frequent turns across 164.2 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 95.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 6.8 miles in near US 20.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 164.2 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 6.8 miles (US 20): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
6.8 mi into trip | ~12m in | US 20

Take the ramp onto US 20 toward I 290 East, US 20 East: Chicago

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward I 290 East, US 20 East: Chicago
8
9.8 mi into trip | ~16m 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
8
10.5 mi into trip | ~18m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 31A Toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora
8
11.8 mi into trip | ~20m in | I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 138 Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
8
36.8 mi into trip | ~50m in | I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward I 88 Toll West, IL 47: DeKalb

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 88 Toll West, IL 47: DeKalb

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Elk Grove, IL and Rock Island, IL, road signs point toward Indiana and 22Nd Street (Cermak Road).

Indiana

9.8 mi in | ~16m

22Nd Street (Cermak Road)

11.8 mi in | ~20m | via I 88; IL 110

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway 95.3 mi 1h 45m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway 38.9 mi 41m
IL 92 7.9 mi 19m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway 5.4 mi 5m
York Road 4.3 mi 7m
IL 5 3.7 mi 4m
US 20 3 mi 4m
North York Street 1.3 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway — 95.3 mi, about 1h 45m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Elk Grove, IL and Rock Island, IL.

1

Start on South Elmhurst Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Elmhurst Road
2

Continue on York Road

4.3 mi · 7 min · York Road
Use the left lane.
3

Continue on North York Street

1.3 mi · 2 min · North York Street
4

Turn right onto Lake Street

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Lake Street
5

Turn slight right

147 ft · 7 sec
Use the right lane.
6

Take the ramp onto US 20

3.0 mi · 4 min · US 20
Toward I 290 East, US 20 East: Chicago Use the right lane.
7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Exit 15A Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 294

0.4 mi · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway
Exit 15A Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 49 sec
Exit 31A Toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 88; IL 110

0.8 mi · 59 sec · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110

25 mi · 30 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 138 Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road) Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110

69 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Toward I 88 Toll West, IL 47: DeKalb Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on I 88; IL 110

1.1 mi · 1 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
14

Continue on I 88; IL 110

38 mi · 40 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Exit 41
15

Continue on I 88; IL 92; IL 110

5.4 mi · 5 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
16

Continue on IL 5; IL 92

3.7 mi · 4 min · IL 5; IL 92
17

Take the exit onto IL 92

7.9 mi · 19 min · IL 92
Toward IL 84 North, IL 92 West: Silvis
18

Continue on IL 92

0.1 mi · 16 sec · 6th Avenue
19

Continue on IL 92

0.9 mi · 1 min · 5th Avenue
20

Continue on IL 92

0.7 mi · 1 min · 4th Avenue
21

Turn right onto US 67

464 ft · 15 sec · 15th Street
22

Arrive at destination

US 67

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 82.1 miles from Elk Grove, IL, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.3 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 80 miles or 1h 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 82.1 miles or 1h 39m 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 35m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Elk Grove, 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 Elk Grove, IL

This is one driving day of about 164.2 miles and 3h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Elk Grove, 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 Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for about 95.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 82.1 mi from Elk Grove, IL · 1h 39m into the drive

Downtown Rockford, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rockford, IL

82 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

Rockford, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rockford, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 82.1 miles from Elk Grove, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 95.3 miles.

Arriving in Rock Island, IL

The final approach into Rock Island, 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 Rock Island, IL.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Pullman National Historical Park

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...

20 mi from route ~50 min detour Free near mile 11.3
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.67 one way

$51.34 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $28.19 $56.37
premium $4.89 $31.60 $63.20
diesel $5.61 $36.25 $72.51

Estimated Tolls: $5.74

Reagan Memorial Tollway (95.3 mi) $5.72
Tri-state Tollway (0.4 mi) $0.02

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

$26

Tolls

$6

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 57.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 49.3 0 $17.24 $7.88
Efficient EV 41.1 0 $14.37 $6.57
EV Truck/SUV 65.7 0 $22.99 $10.51

Gas CO2

57 kg

EV CO2

19 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 data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Elk Grove, IL

Afternoon in Elk Grove on Tuesday

Local time

2:42 PM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Rock Island, IL

Afternoon in Rock Island on Tuesday

Local time

2:42 PM

CDT

Current temp

51°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

5 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

3h 21m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Elk Grove, IL to Rock Island, IL covers 164.2 miles and takes about 3h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, IL 92. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 82.1 miles from Elk Grove, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.67 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 164.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.8 miles (US 20): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Elk Grove, IL and Rock Island, IL, road signs point toward Indiana and 22Nd Street (Cermak Road).

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