This 78.8-mile drive from Maywood, IL to Rockford, IL will take you about 1 hour and 39 minutes. Designed as a single-day trip, you can expect a fuel cost of around $12 for this journey. The route primarily utilizes the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, East State Street, and North 25th Avenue, offering a practical Midwestern passage between two Illinois locations. With no designated stops and a predominantly local road feel, this trip is best suited for those looking for an efficient connection rather than an extended exploration.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.4 miles from Maywood, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 39m. Total distance: 78.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 78.8-mile trip, with only a 0% highway share. While there's a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 61.8 miles on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, much of the journey involves navigating local roads. This means you'll encounter more intersections and varied speed limits as you progress. The character shifts from potentially faster tollway travel to more typical suburban and city driving as you approach your destination.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 61.8 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 early in the drive near School Street.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.8 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (School Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|School Street
At end of road, turn left onto School Street
Navigation decision point
8
8.2 mi into trip|~17m 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
8.4 mi into trip|~17m 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
8.7 mi into trip|~18m 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
6
9.7 mi into trip|~19m in|I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Maywood, IL to Rockford, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Chicago along the way.
Chicago
8.2 mi in|~17m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
61.8 mi
1h 6m
East State Street
6 mi
10m
North 25th Avenue
4.3 mi
9m
Tri-State Tollway
1.3 mi
1m
West Lake Street
1.1 mi
1m
South 9th Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
East Jefferson Street
0.7 mi
1m
Irving Park Road
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 Maywood, IL and Rockford, IL.
1
Start on this road
163 ft·17 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto School Street
215 ft·11 sec·School Street
3
Turn right onto South 9th Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·South 9th Avenue
4
Turn left onto West Lake Street
1.1 mi·1 min·West Lake Street
5
Turn right onto North 25th Avenue
4.3 mi·9 min·North 25th Avenue
Use the right lane.
6
Turn left onto IL 19
0.3 mi·45 sec·Irving Park Road
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
8
Merge onto I 294
1.3 mi·1 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 40Toward I 190 West, I 90: O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, Rockford, River RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 90 West Toll, I 90 East: Rockford, Chicago
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 Toll West: RockfordUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 90
0.2 mi·12 sec·Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
62 mi·1 hr 6 min·Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward US 20 Business, State Street
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
16
Turn straight onto US 20 Business
6.0 mi·10 min·East State Street
17
Turn right onto US 20 Business
0.7 mi·1 min·East Jefferson Street
18
Turn left onto North Wyman Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·North Wyman Street
19
Turn right onto West State Street
75 ft·2 sec·West State Street
20
Arrive at destination
West State Street
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 39-minute duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Leaving Maywood in the morning, perhaps after rush hour, will provide a smoother start. Since there are no specific stops recommended, you have flexibility to pause as needed, perhaps for a quick break at a rest area along the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before heading onto the longest stretch, and consider that the $12 estimated fuel cost is based on current averages.
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 39.4 miles from Maywood, IL, or about 51m 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 17 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.4 miles or 51m 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 21m
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 Maywood, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Maywood, IL
This is one driving day of about 78.8 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Maywood, 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 61.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.4 mi from Maywood, IL
· 51m into the drive
The midpoint is around 39.4 miles from Maywood, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Jane Addams Memorial Tollway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.8 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.
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
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.32 one way
$24.64 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$13.53
$27.05
premium
$4.89
$15.16
$30.33
diesel
$5.61
$17.40
$34.80
Estimated Tolls: $4.39
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(61.6 mi)$4.31
Tri-state Tollway
(1.3 mi)$0.08
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
$12
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.6
0
$8.27
$3.78
Efficient EV
19.7
0
$6.90
$3.15
EV Truck/SUV
31.5
0
$11.03
$5.04
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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
Maywood, IL
Late night
in Maywood on Saturday
Local time
2:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Rockford, IL
Late night
in Rockford on Saturday
Local time
2:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°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
22 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
1h 39m 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 Maywood, IL to Rockford, IL covers 78.8 miles and takes about 1h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, East State Street, North 25th Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 39.4 miles from Maywood, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.32 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.8 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (School Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Maywood, IL to Rockford, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Chicago along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
