Midlothian, IL to Quincy, IL is 297.2 miles and takes about 5h 36m via I 55, I 72, and I 80, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Illinois, making it a straightforward journey. You'll find it's a highway-focused drive, ideal if you want to cover ground efficiently. With only one recommended stop and a total duration under six hours, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. Consider this drive if you're looking for a no-fuss trip between two points in the Prairie State.
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
148.6 miles from Midlothian, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 47m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 36m. Total distance: 297.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This drive is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with 99% of the journey on major interstates. You'll primarily be on I 55, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch at 157.8 miles. After that, you'll transition to I 72 and then I 80, maintaining a consistent high-speed travel experience. Expect a steady pace with minimal detours off the main expressway. The character of the drive is consistent for most of its duration, prioritizing direct travel over scenic exploration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 157.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 72. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in near I 57.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 297.2 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 2.2 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.2 mi into trip|~4m in|I 57
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
4.7 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Iowa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 345B
Toward I 80 West: Iowa
5
5.1 mi into trip|~8m in|I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
123.7 mi into trip|~2h 20m 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 straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
6
188.5 mi into trip|~3h 30m in|I 72; US 36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36 toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Midlothian, IL to Quincy, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
Springfield
123.7 mi in|~2h 20m|via I 55
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
157.8 mi
2h 50m
I 72
92.9 mi
1h 39m
I 80
25.3 mi
30m
IL 57
12.2 mi
21m
I 57
2.4 mi
3m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
2.2 mi
2m
Pulaski Road
1 mi
2m
Crawford Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 157.8 mi, about 2h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Midlothian, IL and Quincy, IL.
1
Start on Pulaski Road
84 ft·9 sec·Pulaski Road
2
Continue on Pulaski Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Pulaski Road
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on Crawford Avenue
0.5 mi·55 sec·Crawford Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 6
0.2 mi·25 sec·West 159th Street
5
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 57 south: Kankakee
6
Merge onto I 57
2.4 mi·3 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·45 sec
Exit 345BToward I 80 West: IowaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 80
25 mi·30 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 126AToward I 55 South: Saint Louis
10
Merge onto I 55
93 mi·1 hr 40 min·I 55
Use the right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
65 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, SpringfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·51 sec
Toward I 172 North: Quincy
14
Continue on I 172; IL 110
2.2 mi·2 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward IL 57: Marblehead, Quincy
16
Turn left onto IL 57
12 mi·20 min·IL 57
17
Turn left onto IL 57
0.4 mi·43 sec·IL 57
18
Turn right
71 ft·1 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 36m estimated duration, starting your drive from Midlothian in the morning will allow you to reach Quincy with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one stop recommended, you can plan your break strategically along the 157.8-mile stretch of I 55. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer segments, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. The $43 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to factor in a little extra for potential traffic delays or unexpected needs.
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 148.6 miles from Midlothian, IL, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 157.8 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 65 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.6 miles or 2h 47m 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 29m
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 Midlothian, 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 Midlothian, IL
This is one driving day of about 297.2 miles and 5h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Midlothian, 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 I 55 for about 157.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 148.6 mi from Midlothian, IL
· 2h 47m into the drive
The midpoint is around 148.6 miles from Midlothian, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 157.8 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 184.4
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
89.2
1
$31.21
$14.27
Efficient EV
74.3
0
$26.01
$11.89
EV Truck/SUV
118.9
1
$41.61
$19.02
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Midlothian, IL
Morning
in Midlothian on Saturday
Local time
7:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Quincy, IL
Morning
in Quincy on Saturday
Local time
7:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Bloomington, IL
149 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
23 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 36m 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 Midlothian, IL to Quincy, IL covers 297.2 miles and takes about 5h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, I 72, I 80. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 148.6 miles from Midlothian, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $46.46 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 297.2 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 2.2 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Midlothian, IL to Quincy, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
