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Trip from Quincy, IL to Alton, IL

Data updated 1 hour ago

Drive Time

2h 40m

Distance

132.4 mi

213 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 30m ★
6 AM
2h 40m
8 AM
3h 1m
10 AM
2h 48m
12 PM
2h 46m
3 PM
2h 49m
5 PM
3h 0m
8 PM
2h 34m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Quincy, IL, IL

Quincy, IL

Wikimedia Commons

city in Madison County, Illinois, United States

Alton, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 132.4-mile journey from Quincy to Alton, Illinois, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes. With a projected fuel cost of around $21, it's an economical option for exploring the Midwest. You'll primarily be on I-72 and US-67, making it a straightforward drive. The route is focused on highway travel, so expect efficient progress across the state. Given its manageable length and cost, this trip offers a good balance of travel time and exploration, perfect for a weekend getaway or an extended day trip.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

66.2 miles from Quincy, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This drive has a distinctly highway-focused profile, with 68% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience efficient travel, particularly on I-72, where the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 55.6 miles. While primarily highway, the route incorporates sections of North 5th Street, offering a brief change of pace before rejoining US-67. Expect a consistent driving experience with fewer technical sections and more open road, allowing you to cover ground quickly.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 72 is the longest continuous segment at about 55.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 72 and North 5th Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IL 104 / Broadway Street.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 2h 40m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (IL 104 / Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (North 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 71.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | IL 104 / Broadway Street

Turn right onto IL 104 / Broadway Street

Navigation decision point

4
0.3 mi into trip | ~1m in | North 3rd Street

Turn left onto North 3rd Street

Navigation decision point

4
71.1 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in

Take the exit toward US 67 South: Alton

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward US 67 South: Alton
4
125.6 mi into trip | ~2h 29m in | US 67 / Godfrey Road

Take the exit onto US 67 / Godfrey Road toward US 67 South

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward US 67 South
5
132.3 mi into trip | ~2h 40m in | Alby Street

Turn right onto Alby Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 72 55.6 mi 59m
North 5th Street 26.4 mi 31m
United States Route 67 20 mi 22m
Gardner Expressway 11.3 mi 19m
Martin Luther King Drive 3.2 mi 4m
Godfrey Road 3.1 mi 4m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway 2.8 mi 3m
South State Avenue 2.4 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 72 — 55.6 mi, about 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Quincy, IL and Alton, IL.

1

Start on this road

53 ft · 1 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto IL 104

381 ft · 35 sec · Broadway Street
3

Continue on IL 104

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Broadway Street
4

Turn left onto North 3rd Street

0.4 mi · 52 sec · North 3rd Street
5

Continue on IL 57

11 mi · 19 min · Gardner Expressway
6

Continue on East 1083rd Lane

0.1 mi · 11 sec · East 1083rd Lane
7

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
8

Merge onto I 172; IL 110

2.8 mi · 3 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
9

Merge onto I 72; US 36

56 mi · 59 min · I 72; US 36
10

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward US 67 South: Alton
11

Merge onto US 67

12 mi · 13 min · United States Route 67
12

Continue on US 67

2.3 mi · 2 min · 1440 E
13

Continue on US 67

1.4 mi · 1 min · North State Street
14

Continue on US 67

2.4 mi · 2 min · South State Avenue
15

Continue on US 67

1.4 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
16

Continue on US 67

8.1 mi · 9 min · United States Route 67
17

Continue on US 67

26 mi · 31 min · North 5th Street
18

Take the exit onto US 67

3.1 mi · 4 min · Godfrey Road
Toward US 67 South
19

Turn slight left onto US 67

3.2 mi · 4 min · Martin Luther King Drive
Use the left lane.
20

Continue on US 67

0.4 mi · 36 sec · Piasa Street
21

Turn left onto West 3rd Street

0.1 mi · 31 sec · West 3rd Street
22

Turn right onto Alby Street

118 ft · 5 sec · Alby Street
23

Arrive at destination

Alby Street

Trip Plan

With a travel time under three hours, this route offers great flexibility for departure. You could easily leave in the morning, reach your destination, and return the same day, or spend a full day exploring Alton. The longest stretch without a significant road change is over 55 miles, so plan your single stop accordingly for fuel or a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition between I-72 and US-67, ensuring you're prepared for the highway portions of your trip.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.2 miles from Quincy, IL, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.6 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 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 66.2 miles or 1h 20m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 9m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alton, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Quincy, 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 Quincy, IL

This is one driving day of about 132.4 miles and 2h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Quincy, 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 72 for about 55.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 66.2 mi from Quincy, IL · 1h 20m into the drive

Downtown Peoria, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Peoria, IL

66 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

Peoria, 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 66.2 miles from Quincy, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Alton, IL

The final approach into Alton, 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 Alton, 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

$20.70 one way

$41.40 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 46 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $22.73 $45.45
premium $4.89 $25.48 $50.96
diesel $5.61 $29.23 $58.46

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 46.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 39.7 0 $13.90 $6.36
Efficient EV 33.1 0 $11.58 $5.30
EV Truck/SUV 53 0 $18.54 $8.47

Gas CO2

46 kg

EV CO2

15 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 5 days ago

Origin

Quincy, IL

Afternoon in Quincy on Tuesday

Local time

3:53 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Alton, IL

Afternoon in Alton on Tuesday

Local time

3:53 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

55°F

Peoria, IL

66 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

2 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

2h 40m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Quincy, IL to Alton, IL covers 132.4 miles and takes about 2h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 72, North 5th Street, United States Route 67. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 66.2 miles from Quincy, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.70 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 2h 40m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IL 104 / Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (North 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 71.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Quincy, IL to Alton, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Alton, IL to Quincy, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

115.2 mi 2h 22m

Explore more options from Quincy, IL or browse trips ending in Alton, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

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