Origin
Chicago, IL
Afternoon in Chicago on Sunday
Local time
1:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chicago, IL to Quincy, IL
Drive Time
5h 53m
Distance
309.6 mi
498 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Quincy, IL
Mike Tyurin
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Chicago to Quincy, expect a straightforward journey spanning 309.6 miles across the Illinois landscape. This trip typically takes about 5 hours and 53 minutes of drive time, making it a manageable day trip if you get an early start. You will primarily navigate via the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I-55, and I-72 to reach your destination in the western part of the state. Budgeting approximately $46 for fuel is a smart move for your planning. Since this route stays entirely within the Midwest, you can anticipate consistent terrain as you transition from the urban sprawl of Chicago toward the Mississippi River region.
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
154.8 miles from Chicago, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 58m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 99% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You should prepare for a consistent interstate experience, as the route is dominated by long, efficient stretches of pavement. The longest uninterrupted portion occurs early on, covering 128.7 miles along the Adlai Stevenson Expressway. Because the route relies so heavily on major thoroughfares like I-55 and I-72, the drive feels utilitarian and fast-paced rather than winding or technical. Expect a steady, predictable rhythm behind the wheel as you move from the city corridor into the heart of Illinois.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 128.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 72. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near West Cermak Road.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 309.6 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 0.2 miles (West Cermak Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (South Halsted Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
West Cermak Road
At end of road, turn right onto West Cermak Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
South Halsted Street
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
0.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 55: Saint Louis, Lake Shore Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55: Saint Louis, Lake Shore Drive
8
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 55 South: St Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 53B
Toward I 55 South: St Louis
8
136.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Chicago, IL to Quincy, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
Springfield
136.1 mi in
|
~2h 38m
|
via I 55
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Adlai Stevenson Expressway | 128.7 mi | 2h 26m |
| I 72 | 92.9 mi | 1h 39m |
| I 55 | 64.8 mi | 1h 10m |
| IL 57 | 12.2 mi | 21m |
| Stevenson Expressway | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| Chicago-Kansas City Expressway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Adlai E Stevenson Expressway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West Cermak Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
— 128.7 mi, about 2h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago, IL and Quincy, IL.
1
Start on this road
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
West Cermak Road
Use the none lane.
3
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
South Halsted Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
285 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Canalport Avenue
Use the none lane.
5
Turn slight right
110 ft
·
4 sec
6
Take the ramp
455 ft
·
11 sec
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 55: Saint Louis, Lake Shore Drive
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 53B
Toward I 55 South: St Louis
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 55
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Stevenson Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 55
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Adlai E Stevenson Expressway
11
Continue on I 55
129 mi
·
2 hr 26 min
·
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36
93 mi
·
1 hr 39 min
·
I 72; US 36
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
51 sec
Toward I 172 North: Quincy
15
Continue on I 172; IL 110
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward IL 57: Marblehead, Quincy
17
Turn left onto IL 57
12 mi
·
20 min
·
IL 57
18
Turn left onto IL 57
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
IL 57
19
Turn right
71 ft
·
1 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a roughly six-hour trek, plan for at least one substantial stop to stretch your legs and refresh during the transit. Leaving Chicago early in the morning helps you avoid peak traffic congestion when exiting the city, giving you more breathing room on the long interstate segments. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge; while $46 covers the estimated cost, having a buffer for traffic delays is always wise on these high-speed stretches. Because the drive is highly efficient, you have the flexibility to reach Quincy by the afternoon if you maintain a steady pace. Use the 128.7-mile stretch on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway as your primary window for steady cruising before you transition onto the I-55 and I-72 segments.
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 154.8 miles from Chicago, IL, or about 2h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.7 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 80 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.8 miles or 2h 58m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Quincy, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chicago, 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 Chicago, IL
This is one driving day of about 309.6 miles and 5h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Chicago, 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 Adlai Stevenson Expressway for about 128.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 154.8 mi from Chicago, IL · 2h 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
155 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 154.8 miles from Chicago, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 128.7 miles.
Arriving in Quincy, IL
The final approach into Quincy, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Quincy, IL.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.03 one way
$94.05 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
108 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $51.84 | $103.68 |
| premium | $4.80 | $58.45 | $116.89 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $68.78 | $137.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 92.9 | 1 | $32.51 | $14.86 |
| Efficient EV | 77.4 | 0 | $27.09 | $12.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 123.8 | 1 | $43.34 | $19.81 |
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Quincy, IL
Afternoon in Quincy on Sunday
Local time
1:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
53°F
Bloomington, IL
155 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
9 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 53m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Chicago, IL to Quincy, IL covers 309.6 miles and takes about 5h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I 72, I 55. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 154.8 miles from Chicago, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $47.03 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 309.6 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (West Cermak Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (South Halsted Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Chicago, IL to Quincy, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
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