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RFD to ESS: distance & flight time
Rockford (Chicago Rockford International Airport) → Essen (Essen Mulheim Airport)
4,253 mi
6,844 km · 3,696 nm
8h 48m
estimated nonstop flight time
+7h
time difference · heading northeast
See live RFD→ESS fares Phone-only fares on this route — call free
Flight time details
4,253 miles nonstop takes roughly 8h 48m gate to gate, flying northeast. Add 45–90 minutes per connection if there's no nonstop service. Remember to factor the 7-hour time gain when reading arrival times on your ticket.
The two airports
- RFD — Chicago Rockford International Airport · Rockford, United States
- ESS — Essen Mulheim Airport · Essen, Germany
Distances are great-circle ("as the crow flies") — the same basis airlines use for frequent-flyer miles.
Alternate airports can cut this fare
Flying from or into a nearby airport is the #1 trick our agents use to beat online prices. Call and we'll compare every combination on one call.
Near RFD
Near ESS
- DUS · Düsseldorf Airport11 mi away
- MGL · Mönchengladbach Airport22 mi away
- DTM · Dortmund Airport30 mi away
- NRN · Weeze Airport37 mi away
Frequently asked questions
How far is RFD from ESS?
The flight distance from Rockford (RFD) to Essen (ESS) is 4,253 miles (6,844 km, 3,696 nautical miles), measured along the great-circle route airlines actually fly.
How long is the flight from RFD to ESS?
A nonstop flight takes about 8h 48m gate to gate. Actual time varies with winds, routing and season — eastbound transatlantic flights, for example, are usually faster than the return.
What is the time difference between Rockford and Essen?
Essen is 7 hours ahead of Rockford.
What is the cheapest way to fly from RFD to ESS?
Compare live fares online, then call CheapoTrav — our agents have unpublished consolidator fares on RFD–ESS that never appear on search engines, with no booking fees.