Trip from Lake in the Hills, IL to Quincy, IL

Drive Time

5h 49m

Distance

287.4 mi

463 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Lake in the Hills, IL

Vladimir Srajber

Quincy, IL

Mike Tyurin

Trip Overview

Traveling from Lake in the Hills to Quincy covers 287.4 miles across the Illinois landscape, typically requiring about 5 hours and 49 minutes of driving time. Because this is a single-state trek within the Midwest, you can comfortably complete the journey in one day if you start early. Budgeting approximately $44 for fuel will cover your transit along major corridors like the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, IL 110, and the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. While the trip is manageable for a single day, the duration makes it a significant commitment, so ensure your vehicle is prepped for nearly six hours behind the wheel. It is a straightforward route that connects the suburban environment of Lake in the Hills to the riverside character of Quincy without requiring an overnight stay.

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

143.7 miles from Lake in the Hills, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 54m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed drive that balances high-speed efficiency with stretches of regional transit. With 53% of your journey spent on highways, you will experience a variety of road types, transitioning from busy tollways to the more consistent pace of the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on this expressway, covering 82.7 miles of open road. This variety helps keep the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind, though you should remain attentive as the road character shifts between major arterial highways and secondary state routes like IL 110. You will find that the rhythm of the drive changes as you move away from the suburban density near your starting point and head toward the western reaches of the state.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Chicago-Kansas City Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 82.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.7 miles in near IL 72 / Higgins Road.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 287.4 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 5.7 miles (IL 72 / Higgins Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 35.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 36.1 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5.7 mi into trip | ~10m in | IL 72 / Higgins Road

Turn right onto IL 72 / Higgins Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

35.8 mi into trip | ~57m in

Take the ramp toward I 88 West Toll: Moline Rock Island

Navigation decision point

Toward I 88 West Toll: Moline Rock Island

36.1 mi into trip | ~58m in | I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Merge onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

168.5 mi into trip | ~3h 20m in | IL 110

Take the exit onto IL 110 toward US 34 West: Monmouth

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 46A Toward US 34 West: Monmouth

277.7 mi into trip | ~5h 34m in

Take the exit toward US 24: Mount Sterling, Keokuk

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

Toward US 24: Mount Sterling, Keokuk

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway	82.7 mi	1h 32m
IL 110	56.7 mi	1h 7m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway	49.7 mi	53m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway	38.9 mi	41m
Plank Road	12 mi	18m
US 24	9.1 mi	13m
West Jackson Street	6.2 mi	10m
East Higgins Road	5.3 mi	8m

Longest stretch: Chicago-Kansas City Expressway — 82.7 mi, about 1h 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lake in the Hills, IL and Quincy, IL.

Start on West Acorn Lane

0.3 mi · 1 min · West Acorn Lane

Turn left onto V29

0.4 mi · 50 sec · North Randall Road

Continue on V29

5.0 mi · 8 min · South Randall Road

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto IL 72

1.2 mi · 2 min · Higgins Road

Use the right lane.

Continue on IL 72

5.3 mi · 8 min · East Higgins Road

Turn left onto US 20; IL 47; IL 72

2.4 mi · 3 min · US 20; IL 47; IL 72

Turn right onto CR 22

12 mi · 18 min · Plank Road

Turn left onto IL 23

2.0 mi · 3 min · North Main Street

Turn right onto West Elm Street

0.2 mi · 35 sec · West Elm Street

Continue on DeKalb Avenue

1.1 mi · 2 min · DeKalb Avenue

Turn left onto South Peace Road

4.4 mi · 6 min · South Peace Road

Continue on North Peace Road

1.4 mi · 2 min · North Peace Road

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Toward I 88 West Toll: Moline Rock Island

Merge onto I 88; IL 110

50 mi · 53 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 88; IL 110

1.1 mi · 1 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway

Continue on I 88; IL 110

38 mi · 40 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway

Exit 41

Continue on I 88; IL 92; IL 110

5.4 mi · 5 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

Take the exit onto IL 110

7.1 mi · 8 min · IL 110

Toward I 80: Peoria

Keep slight left at fork onto IL 110

31 mi · 33 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

Take the exit onto IL 110

50 mi · 59 min · IL 110

Exit 46A Toward US 34 West: Monmouth

Continue on US 67

1.2 mi · 1 min · East 1200th Street

Continue on US 67

1.6 mi · 2 min · North Lafayette Street

Turn right onto US 136

0.2 mi · 26 sec · West Calhoun Street

Continue on US 136

398 ft · 11 sec · North Johnson Street

Turn right onto US 136

6.2 mi · 10 min · West Jackson Street

Continue on US 136

0.6 mi · 50 sec · Macomb Street

Continue on US 136

0.6 mi · 56 sec · East North Street

Continue on US 136

3.1 mi · 4 min · East Campbell Street

Turn right onto US 136; IL 110; IL 336

46 mi · 53 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward US 24: Mount Sterling, Keokuk

Turn right onto US 24

9.1 mi · 13 min · US 24

Turn left onto Vermont Street

462 ft · 25 sec · Vermont Street

Turn left onto US 24

343 ft · 4 sec · North 4th Street

Turn right

71 ft · 1 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To keep your travel efficient, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic near your origin point. Since the trip includes one recommended stop, plan to take your break during the longest 82.7-mile stretch to refresh your focus before tackling the remainder of the route. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the day, as the $44 cost estimate assumes steady highway speeds; stop for gas before you hit the longer, more remote sections of the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. Because the entire drive spans under six hours, you have the flexibility to adjust your arrival time based on your personal pace. Always check the specific toll requirements for the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway before you leave to ensure you have the necessary payment methods ready for your transit.

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 143.7 miles from Lake in the Hills, IL, or about 2h 54m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.7 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 45m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 143.7 miles or 2h 54m 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 46m

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 Lake in the Hills, 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 Lake in the Hills, IL

This is one driving day of about 287.4 miles and 5h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lake in the Hills, 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 Chicago-Kansas City Expressway for about 82.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 143.7 mi from Lake in the Hills, IL · 2h 54m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Peoria, IL

144 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

Rockford, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Peoria, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 143.7 miles from Lake in the Hills, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Chicago-Kansas City Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.7 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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$43.65 one way

$87.31 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 101 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$48.12	$96.25
premium	$4.80	$54.26	$108.51
diesel	$5.64	$63.85	$127.70

Estimated Tolls: $2.98

Reagan Memorial Tollway (49.7 mi) $2.98

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$44

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$72–$97

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 100.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	86.2	1	$30.18	$13.80
Efficient EV	71.9	0	$25.15	$11.50
EV Truck/SUV	115	1	$40.24	$18.39

Gas CO2

101 kg

EV CO2

34 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Lake in the Hills, IL

Afternoon in Lake in the Hills on Sunday

Local time

2:02 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Quincy, IL

Afternoon in Quincy on Sunday

Local time

2:02 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

55°F

Peoria, IL

144 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

5 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 49m 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 Lake in the Hills, IL to Quincy, IL covers 287.4 miles and takes about 5h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, IL 110, Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 143.7 miles from Lake in the Hills, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $43.65 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.

The route from Lake in the Hills, IL to Quincy, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Lake in the Hills, IL to Quincy, IL

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Quincy, IL

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Lake in the Hills, IL

Quincy, IL

Same local time

5 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 49m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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