Trip from Rockford, IL to Crest Hill, IL

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

Drive Time

5h 28m

Distance

295.3 mi

475 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 15m ★

6 AM

5h 28m

8 AM

5h 55m

10 AM

5h 38m

12 PM

5h 35m

3 PM

5h 39m

5 PM

5h 54m

8 PM

5h 20m

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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Rockford, IL

Wikimedia Commons

city in Will County, Illinois, United States

Crest Hill, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Rockford, IL to Crest Hill, IL covers 295.3 miles and takes about 5h 28m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 55, I 39, US 51 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 146.8 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $46.17 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

147.6 miles from Rockford, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 42m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 55	146.8 mi	2h 38m
I 39	118.2 mi	2h 6m
US 51	7.6 mi	8m
I 255	7.4 mi	8m
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway	4.3 mi	4m
South Main Street	3.6 mi	6m
New Missouri Avenue	2.4 mi	2m
Old Saint Louis Road	0.6 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 55 — 146.8 mi, about 2h 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on West State Street

0.1 mi · 23 sec · West State Street

Turn left onto IL 2

0.3 mi · 36 sec · South Church Street

Turn left onto IL 2

275 ft · 4 sec · Cedar Street

Turn right onto IL 2

3.6 mi · 6 min · South Main Street

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Merge onto US 20

4.3 mi · 4 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min

Merge onto I 39; US 51

118 mi · 2 hr 6 min · I 39; US 51

Keep slight right at fork onto US 51

7.6 mi · 8 min · US 51

Toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

65 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 55

Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

82 mi · 1 hr 28 min · I 55

Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Exit 10 Toward I 255: Memphis, Interstate 270

Keep slight left at fork

1.1 mi · 2 min

Toward I 255 South: Memphis

Merge onto I 255

7.4 mi · 8 min · I 255

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Exit 17A Toward IL 15 East: Belleville Use the right lane.

Continue on IL 15

2.4 mi · 2 min · New Missouri Avenue

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Turn straight onto Busch Boulevard

0.1 mi · 39 sec · Busch Boulevard

Turn left onto IL 13

0.6 mi · 1 min · Old Saint Louis Road

Turn right onto Eiler Road

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Eiler Road

Turn left onto Bernard Drive

0.2 mi · 47 sec · Bernard Drive

Continue on Bernard Drive

358 ft · 19 sec · Bernard Drive

Turn left onto Bethesda Drive

0.2 mi · 53 sec · Bethesda Drive

Turn right onto Belvedere Drive

0.1 mi · 30 sec · Belvedere Drive

Arrive at destination

Belvedere Drive

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 147.6 miles from Rockford, IL, or about 2h 42m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.8 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 65 miles or 1h 14m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 147.6 miles or 2h 42m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 24m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Rockford, 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 Rockford, IL

This is one driving day of about 295.3 miles and 5h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Rockford, 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 I 55 for about 146.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bloomington, IL

148 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

Normal, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bloomington, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 147.6 miles from Rockford, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 146.8 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

Cancun

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Sherman, Illinois

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 189.8

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12174963221

Visit website

El Quetzalito Mexican Restaurant

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Divernon, Illinois

1.9 mi

Bloomin Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Normal, Illinois

2.2 mi

Arby's

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 274.2

Troy, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16186671082

Visit website

Cancun

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 189.8

Sherman, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12174963221

Visit website

El Quetzalito Mexican Restaurant

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 210.9

Divernon, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12176280000

Visit website

Bloomin Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 126.5

Normal, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+13098081071

Visit website

Star 66 Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 189.8

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12175230611

Visit website

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 126.5

Normal, Illinois

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 126.5

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 127.6 and 290.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

127.6 mi into trip | ~2h 21m in | US 51

Keep slight right at fork onto US 51 toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champai...

135.2 mi into trip | ~2h 29m in | I 55

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

200 mi into trip | ~3h 39m in | I 55

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

282 mi into trip | ~5h 8m in

Take the exit toward I 255: Memphis, Interstate 270

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

Exit 10 Toward I 255: Memphis, Interstate 270

290.9 mi into trip | ~5h 19m in

Take the exit toward IL 15 East: Belleville

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

Use the right lane. Exit 17A Toward IL 15 East: Belleville

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$46.17 one way

$92.33 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 103 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$50.69	$101.38
premium	$4.89	$56.83	$113.66
diesel	$5.61	$65.20	$130.40

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$46

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$71–$96

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 103.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	88.6	1	$31.01	$14.17
Efficient EV	73.8	0	$25.84	$11.81
EV Truck/SUV	118.1	1	$41.34	$18.90

Gas CO2

103 kg

EV CO2

35 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Rockford, IL

Afternoon in Rockford on Saturday

Local time

2:24 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Crest Hill, IL

Afternoon in Crest Hill on Saturday

Local time

2:24 PM

CDT

Current temp

80°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

52°F

Bloomington, IL

148 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

31 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

5h 28m on the road

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

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

National Monument

In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free near mile 193.5

View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

295.3 mi in 5h 28m, mostly highway — 146.8 mi of that is on I 55.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 146.8 mi on I 55.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 39. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 127.6 miles in near US 51.

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 18 significant decision points across 295.3 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 127.6 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 200 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Rockford, IL and Crest Hill, IL, road signs point toward Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur and Springfield.

Champaign

127.6 mi in | ~2h 21m | via US 51

Saint Louis

127.6 mi in | ~2h 21m | via US 51

Decatur

127.6 mi in | ~2h 21m | via US 51

Springfield

135.2 mi in | ~2h 29m | via I 55

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 28m. Total distance: 295.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 146.8 miles on I 55. 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 Crest Hill, 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.

Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Crest Hill, IL before the return drive.

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.

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Return Trip

Crest Hill, IL to Rockford, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

93.1 mi 2h 3m

Explore more options from Rockford, IL or browse trips ending in Crest Hill, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

Trip from Rockford, IL to Crest Hill, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Cancun

Arby's

Cancun

El Quetzalito Mexican Restaurant

Bloomin Cafe

Star 66 Cafe

Grubsteakers Restaurant

Fort Jesse Cafe

Coffeehouse in Uptown Normal

Tesla Supercharger

Rivian Waypoints

Rivian Adventure Network

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Rockford, IL

Crest Hill, IL

Same local time

31 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 28m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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