Origin
Quincy, IL
Morning in Quincy on Friday
Local time
11:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Quincy, IL to Columbia, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 4m
Distance
143.9 mi
232 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 53m
★
6 AM
3h 4m
8 AM
3h 27m
10 AM
3h 12m
12 PM
3h 10m
3 PM
3h 13m
5 PM
3h 26m
8 PM
2h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Quincy, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Columbia, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Quincy, IL to Columbia, IL covers 143.9 miles and takes about 3h 4m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Avenue of the Saints, I 270, Gardner Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 99.4 miles on Avenue of the Saints. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.50 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
72 miles from Quincy, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 4m. Total distance: 143.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 4m drive with frequent turns across 143.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Avenue of the Saints is the longest continuous segment at about 99.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 143.9 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 20.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 122.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
20.8 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Take the exit toward US 61: New London, Palmyra
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 61: New London, Palmyra
6
20.9 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 61 South: New London
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 61 South: New London
8
122.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
Take the exit toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 25
Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
7
122.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 270 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 270 South: Memphis
7
140.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 58m in
Take the exit toward IL 3 South: Columbia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 6
Toward IL 3 South: Columbia
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Quincy, IL and Columbia, IL, road signs point toward Palmyra and Memphis.
Palmyra
20.8 mi in
|
~32m
Memphis
122.1 mi in
|
~2h 35m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue of the Saints | 99.4 mi | 1h 59m |
| I 270 | 12.1 mi | 15m |
| Gardner Expressway | 11.3 mi | 19m |
| Chicago-Kansas City Expressway | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| I 255 | 5.9 mi | 7m |
| McMasters Avenue | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| North Main Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| V.F.W. Memorial Highway | 1.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 99.4 mi, about 1h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Quincy, IL and Columbia, 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
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
9
Take the exit onto IL 110
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
10
Continue on I 72; US 36; IL 110
0.9 mi
·
59 sec
·
Mark Twain Memorial Bridge
11
Continue on I 72; US 36; MO 110
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
V.F.W. Memorial Highway
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward US 61: New London, Palmyra
13
Keep slight left at fork
277 ft
·
9 sec
Toward US 61 South: New London
14
Turn slight left onto US 61
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
McMasters Avenue
15
Continue on US 61
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
16
Continue on US 61
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
McMasters Avenue
17
Continue on US 61
99 mi
·
1 hr 57 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
Use the right lane.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 25
Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
Use the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 270 South: Memphis
Use the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto I 270
12 mi
·
15 min
·
I 270
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on I 255
5.9 mi
·
7 min
·
I 255
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 6
Toward IL 3 South: Columbia
Use the slight right lane.
23
Continue on IL 3
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
IL 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn left onto North Main Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
25
Turn right
78 ft
·
5 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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 72 miles from Quincy, IL, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.4 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 32 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72 miles or 1h 35m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Columbia, 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 143.9 miles and 3h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 Avenue of the Saints for about 99.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 72 mi from Quincy, IL · 1h 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 72 miles from Quincy, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.4 miles.
Arriving in Columbia, IL
The final approach into Columbia, 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 Columbia, 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
$22.50 one way
$44.99 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.70 | $49.40 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.69 | $55.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.77 | $63.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.2 | 0 | $15.11 | $6.91 |
| Efficient EV | 36 | 0 | $12.59 | $5.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.6 | 0 | $20.15 | $9.21 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Columbia, IL
Morning in Columbia on Friday
Local time
11:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Troy, MO
72 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
3h 4m 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 Columbia, IL covers 143.9 miles and takes about 3h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Avenue of the Saints, I 270, Gardner Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 72 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 $22.50 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 143.9 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 20.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 122.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Quincy, IL and Columbia, IL, road signs point toward Palmyra and Memphis.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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