Nonstop flight route between Rockford, Illinois, United States and Gaborone, Botswana:
Departure Airport:
(42°11'43"N by 89°5'49"W)
Arrival Airport:
(24°33'19"S by 25°55'5"E)
Distance from RFD to GBE:
8,590.92 miles (13,825.71 km)
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Jump to:
- About this route
- RFD Airport Information
- GBE Airport Information
- Facts about RFD
- Facts about GBE
- Map of Nearest Airports to RFD
- List of Nearest Airports to RFD
- Map of Furthest Airports from RFD
- List of Furthest Airports from RFD
- Map of Nearest Airports to GBE
- List of Nearest Airports to GBE
- Map of Furthest Airports from GBE
- List of Furthest Airports from GBE
About this route:
A direct, nonstop flight between Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD), Rockford, Illinois, United States and Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE), Gaborone, Botswana would travel a Great Circle distance of 8,591 miles (or 13,826 kilometers).
A Great Circle is the shortest distance between 2 points on a sphere. Because most world maps are flat (but the Earth is round), the route of the shortest distance between 2 points on the Earth will often appear curved when viewed on a flat map, especially for long distances. If you were to simply draw a straight line on a flat map and measure a very long distance, it would likely be much further than if you were to lay a string between those two points on a globe. Because of the large distance between Chicago Rockford International Airport and Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, the route shown on this map most likely appears curved because of this reason.
Try it at home! Get a globe and tightly lay a string between Chicago Rockford International Airport and Sir Seretse Khama International Airport. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!
Departure Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | RFD / KRFD |
| Airport Name: | Chicago Rockford International Airport |
| Location: | Rockford, Illinois, United States |
| GPS Coordinates: | 42°11'43"N by 89°5'49"W |
| Area Served: | Rockford, Illinois |
| Operator/Owner: | Greater Rockford Airport Authority |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 742 feet (226 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 2 |
| View all routes: | Routes from RFD |
| More Information: | RFD Maps & Info |
Arrival Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | GBE / FBSK |
| Airport Name: | Sir Seretse Khama International Airport |
| Location: | Gaborone, Botswana |
| GPS Coordinates: | 24°33'19"S by 25°55'5"E |
| Area Served: | Gaborone |
| Operator/Owner: | Civil Government |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 3299 feet (1,006 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 1 |
| View all routes: | Routes from GBE |
| More Information: | GBE Maps & Info |
Facts about Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD):
- The closest airport to Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) is Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport (JVL), which is located 30 miles (47 kilometers) N of RFD.
- The current terminal was built in 1987 in an effort to expand airline service in Rockford, but the common use of bus service to O'Hare International Airport kept most airlines away from Rockford.
- Located in between the two runways, the smaller south cargo apron is home to one of the two FBOs at the airport.
- In an effort to capitalize on the airport's location from downtown Chicago and about 30 miles from the outermost Chicago suburbs), its name was changed to the Northwest Chicagoland Regional Airport at Rockford in the early 2000s.
- Because of Chicago Rockford International Airport's relatively low elevation of 742 feet, planes can take off or land at Chicago Rockford International Airport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
- Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) has 2 runways.
- The furthest airport from Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) is Margaret River Airport (MGV), which is located 11,008 miles (17,716 kilometers) away in Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia.
Facts about Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE):
- The furthest airport from Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) is Hana Airport (HNM), which is nearly antipodal to Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (meaning Sir Seretse Khama International Airport is almost on the exact opposite side of the Earth from Hana Airport), and is located 12,149 miles (19,552 kilometers) away in Hana, Hawaii, United States.
- The closest airport to Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) is Lobatse Airport (LOQ), which is located 46 miles (74 kilometers) SSW of GBE.
- Old interior of Khama Airport
- Airline sources say the pilot had been grounded on medical reasons, refused reinstatement and regrounded until February 2000.
- Air Botswana plane at Khama Airport 2011
- Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) currently has only 1 runway.
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 29.50 miles (47.48 km) N | Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport (JVL) | Janesville, Wisconsin, United States |     |
| 2 | 43.30 miles (69.69 km) SE | Chicago/Aurora Municipal Airport (AUZ) | Aurora, Illinois, United States | |
| 3 | 47.89 miles (77.08 km) ESE | DuPage Airport (DPA) | West Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| 4 | 58.34 miles (93.89 km) S | Illinois Valley Regional Airport (VYS) | Peru, Illinois, United States | |
| 5 | 61.49 miles (98.96 km) E | Chicago Executive Airport (PWK) | Chicago/Prospect Heights/Wheeling, Illinois, United States | |
| 6 | 62.95 miles (101.31 km) ESE | Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| 7 | 64.75 miles (104.20 km) ENE | Waukegan National Airport (UGN) | Chicago / Waukegan, Illinois, United States | |
| 8 | 65.58 miles (105.55 km) SE | Lewis University Airport (LOT) | Chicago / Romeoville, Illinois, United States | |
| 9 | 65.77 miles (105.84 km) ENE | Kenosha Regional Airport (ENW) | Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States | |
| 10 | 66.39 miles (106.84 km) N | Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) | Madison, Wisconsin, United States | |
| 11 | 66.64 miles (107.25 km) SE | Joliet Regional Airport (JOT) | Joliet, Illinois, United States | |
| 12 | 68.06 miles (109.54 km) WSW | Clinton Municipal Airport (CWI) | Clinton, Iowa, United States | |
| 13 | 73.00 miles (117.48 km) NE | Waukesha County Airport (UES) | Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States | |
| 14 | 74.62 miles (120.09 km) ESE | Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| 15 | 76.11 miles (122.49 km) ENE | John H. Batten Airport (RAC) | Racine, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11,008.37 miles (17,716.21 km) WSW | Margaret River Airport (MGV) | Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 2 | 10,984.97 miles (17,678.55 km) WSW | Busselton Regional Airport (BQB) | Busselton, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 3 | 10,968.42 miles (17,651.92 km) WSW | Manjimup Airport (MJP) | Manjimup, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 4 | 10,960.25 miles (17,638.77 km) WSW | Bunbury Airport (BUY) | Bunbury, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 5 | 10,915.23 miles (17,566.32 km) WSW | Rottnest Airport (RTS) | Rottnest Island, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 6 | 10,907.02 miles (17,553.10 km) W | Albany Airport (ALH) | Albany, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 7 | 10,902.27 miles (17,545.45 km) WSW | Jandakot Airport (JAD) | Jandakot, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 8 | 10,891.99 miles (17,528.92 km) WSW | Perth Airport (PER) | Perth, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 9 | 10,873.66 miles (17,499.41 km) WSW | Katanning Airport (KNI) | Katanning, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 10 | 10,868.46 miles (17,491.04 km) WSW | Jurien Bay Airport (JUR) | Jurien Bay, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 11 | 10,817.93 miles (17,409.73 km) WSW | Geraldton Airport (GET) | Geraldton, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 12 | 10,786.63 miles (17,359.36 km) WSW | Kalbarri Airport (KAX) | Kalbarri, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 13 | 10,775.52 miles (17,341.48 km) WSW | Morawa Airport (MWB) | Morawa, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 14 | 10,766.29 miles (17,326.62 km) WSW | Mullewa Airport (MXU) | Mullewa, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 15 | 10,728.09 miles (17,265.14 km) SW | Shark Bay Airport (MJK) | Monkey Mia, Western Australia, Australia | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 46.19 miles (74.33 km) SSW | Lobatse Airport (LOQ) | Lobatse, Botswana | |
| 2 | 76.68 miles (123.40 km) W | Jwaneng Airport (JWA) | Jwaneng, Botswana | |
| 3 | 89.62 miles (144.23 km) SSW | Mafikeng Airport (MBD) | Mmabatho, South Africa | |
| 4 | 95.25 miles (153.30 km) SE | Pilanesberg International Airport (NTY) | Pilanesberg, South Africa | |
| 5 | 157.73 miles (253.83 km) SE | Lanseria International Airport (HLA) | Lanseria, South Africa | |
| 6 | 163.01 miles (262.33 km) ESE | Wonderboom Airport (PRY) | Pretoria, South Africa | |
| 7 | 170.42 miles (274.27 km) SE | Grand Central Airport (GCJ) | Johannesburg, South Africa | |
| 8 | 181.68 miles (292.39 km) SE | Rand Airport (QRA) | Johannesburg, South Africa | |
| 9 | 181.93 miles (292.80 km) SE | O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) | Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa | |
| 10 | 204.90 miles (329.75 km) SE | Heidelberg Airport (HDB) | Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany | |
| 11 | 228.43 miles (367.63 km) ENE | Polokwane International Airport (PTG) | Polokwane, South Africa | |
| 12 | 253.79 miles (408.44 km) SW | Johan Pienaar Airport (KMH) | Kuruman, South Africa | |
| 13 | 254.68 miles (409.87 km) NNE | Francistown International Airport/Francistown Air Base (FRW) | Francistown, Botswana | |
| 14 | 264.92 miles (426.35 km) W | Hukuntsi Airport (HUK) | Hukuntsi, Botswana | |
| 15 | 301.93 miles (485.90 km) SSW | Kimberley Airport (KIM) | Kimberley, South Africa | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 12,149.30 miles (19,552.35 km) NNE | Hana Airport (HNM) | Hana, Hawaii, United States | |
| 2 | 12,143.15 miles (19,542.46 km) NNE | Kahului Airport (OGG) | Kahului, Hawaii, United States | |
| 3 | 12,141.40 miles (19,539.64 km) NE | Kalaupapa Airport (LUP) | Kalaupapa, Hawaii, United States | |
| 4 | 12,138.72 miles (19,535.33 km) NE | Kapalua Airport (JHM) | Lahaina, Hawaii, United States | |
| 5 | 12,133.33 miles (19,526.66 km) NE | Molokai Airport (MKK) | Kaunakakai, Hawaii, United States | |
| 6 | 12,119.38 miles (19,504.21 km) NNE | Upolu Airport (UPP) | Hawi, Hawaii, United States | |
| 7 | 12,118.53 miles (19,502.83 km) NE | Lanai Airport (LNY) | Lanai City, Hawaii, United States | |
| 8 | 12,107.66 miles (19,485.34 km) NE | Wheeler AAF (HHI) | Wahiawa, Hawaii, United States | |
| 9 | 12,106.22 miles (19,483.03 km) NNE | Waimea-Kohala Airport (MUE) | Kamuela, Hawaii, United States | |
| 10 | 12,105.57 miles (19,481.98 km) NE | Honolulu International Airport (HNL) | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| 11 | 12,105.57 miles (19,481.98 km) NE | Hickam Field (HIK) | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| 12 | 12,104.09 miles (19,479.60 km) NE | Dillingham Airfield (HDH) | Mokuleia, Hawaii, United States | |
| 13 | 12,098.05 miles (19,469.87 km) NE | Kalaeloa Airport (NAX) | Kapolei, Hawaii, United States | |
| 14 | 12,097.06 miles (19,468.28 km) N | Hilo International Airport (ITO) | Hilo, Hawaii, United States | |
| 15 | 12,094.63 miles (19,464.38 km) NNE | Pōhakuloa Training Area (BSF) | Camp Pohakuloa, Hawaii, United States | |