Getting Around Rockford
Rockford is a car-friendly city, and for most visitors a car is the simplest way to cover ground. Traffic congestion is light compared to larger cities, and the road network is straightforward to navigate. Four roads do most of the work: State Street runs east–west as part of US Highway 20; Main Street runs south from downtown toward the airport as part of Illinois State Route 2; Second Street runs north from downtown toward the Wisconsin border as part of Illinois State Route 251; and Riverside Boulevard, which bends into Harrison Avenue and Springfield Avenue, offers an easy way to loop around much of the city.
Rail, Metro and Tram
Rockford has no metro, tram or light rail system, and it is not served by passenger trains — the railway lines through the city carry freight only. For rail travel, the practical option is Amtrak's Thruway bus service, which connects Rockford to Chicago Union Station so passengers can link up with the national rail network. A new passenger rail route from Chicago is in the planning stages, but it is not yet available to travelers.
Buses and Public Transport
Local public transport is provided by the Rockford Mass Transit District, which offers bus service in Rockford as well as in the neighboring communities of Loves Park and Machesney Park. This is the main option for visitors relying on public transit within the city.
For travel to and from other cities, two intercity bus operators serve Rockford:
- Coach USA / Van Galder runs regular service between Rockford and O'Hare International Airport, Midway Airport, and Union Station in Chicago. In Rockford it operates from its own terminal at 7559 Walton St.
- Greyhound / FlixBus stops at the East Side Transfer Center at 725 N Lyford Rd, picking up on the south side of the facility in Berth A. From that stop, the #11 local bus connects to downtown Rockford — check schedules in advance, as service is limited.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxicab services are available in Rockford, and given the city's car-oriented layout they can be a useful fallback when you would rather not drive. Ride-hailing apps are a common way to arrange point-to-point trips as well.
Walkability
Rockford is spread out and oriented around driving, so walking works best for exploring a specific district or downtown area rather than for getting across the city. Plan on using a car, taxi, or bus for longer trips between neighborhoods.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) is the local airport. Airlines serving it include Allegiant Air, with routes to destinations such as Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Nashville, Orlando/Sanford, Phoenix/Mesa, Punta Gorda, Sarasota, and St. Petersburg/Clearwater, and American Airlines, whose Chicago O'Hare service is operated by a Landline bus that runs airside, behind security, so passengers transfer directly to their onward flights in Chicago. Apple Vacations also charters flights from Rockford to Cancun, Huatulco, and Punta Cana; destinations may vary.
To reach the city center from the airport, note that Main Street runs south from downtown to the airport, making it the natural driving route. Travelers without a car can use taxis or ride-hailing, or connect via the local Rockford Mass Transit District bus network. If you are arriving at a different airport, two nearby alternatives are worth knowing:
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the next nearest full-service airport and is directly connected to Rockford by Interstate 90. Coach USA Van Galder Lines also runs buses between O'Hare and Rockford, departing from Ground Transportation outside security at O'Hare and arriving at Van Galder's own terminal at 7559 Walton St in Rockford.
- Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) in Madison, Wisconsin, is about an hour and 20 minutes north of Rockford via Interstate 39/90 and is served by six airlines.