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Trip from Quincy, IL to Elmhurst, IL

Drive Time

5h 46m

Distance

303.2 mi

488 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 33m ★
6 AM
5h 46m
8 AM
6h 13m
10 AM
5h 56m
12 PM
5h 53m
3 PM
5h 57m
5 PM
6h 11m
8 PM
5h 38m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Quincy, IL, IL

Quincy, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Elmhurst, IL, IL

Elmhurst, IL

Pho Tomass

Trip Overview

The drive from Quincy, IL to Elmhurst, IL covers 303.2 miles and takes about 5h 46m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 55, I 72, Gardner Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 168 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $46.05 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

151.6 miles from Quincy, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 46m highway drive covering 303.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and I 72. The longest continuous stretch is about 168 miles on I 55.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 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 168 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 142.8 miles in near I 55.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 303.2 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 142.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 172.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 290.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

7
142.8 mi into trip | ~2h 43m in | I 55

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
172.2 mi into trip | ~3h 14m in | I 55

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

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 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7
290.3 mi into trip | ~5h 25m in

Take the exit toward IL 83: Kingery Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 274 Toward IL 83: Kingery Road
8
290.5 mi into trip | ~5h 26m in

Keep slight left at fork toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road
8
290.7 mi into trip | ~5h 26m in

Keep slight right at fork toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road North

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Quincy, IL to Elmhurst, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.

Peoria

172.2 mi in | ~3h 14m | via I 55

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 168 mi 3h 4m
I 72 106.9 mi 1h 55m
Gardner Expressway 11.3 mi 19m
Kingery Highway 10.4 mi 15m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway 2.8 mi 3m
West Saint Charles Road 1.1 mi 2m
South York Street 0.6 mi 1m
North 3rd Street 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 168 mi, about 3h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on the route

52 ft · 2 sec · the route
2

Turn right onto Broadway Street

381 ft · 36 sec · Broadway Street
3

Continue on Broadway Street

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Broadway Street
4

Turn left onto North 3rd Street

0.4 mi · 53 sec · North 3rd Street
5

Continue on Gardner Expressway

11 mi · 19 min · Gardner Expressway
6

Continue on East 1083rd Lane

0.1 mi · 12 sec · East 1083rd Lane
7

Take the ramp right

0.5 mi · 1 min
8

Merge slight left onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

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

Merge slight right

107 mi · 1 hr 55 min
10

Continue straight

20 mi · 21 min
11

Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago

29 mi · 31 min · I 55 North: Chicago
12

Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

118 mi · 2 hr 10 min · I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
13

Take the exit slight right toward IL 83: Kingery Road

0.2 mi · 26 sec · IL 83: Kingery Road
14

Keep slight left to continue on IL 83 North: Kingery Road

0.2 mi · 28 sec · IL 83 North: Kingery Road
15

Keep slight right to continue on IL 83 North: Kingery Road North

0.3 mi · 43 sec · IL 83 North: Kingery Road North
16

Continue on Kingery Highway

10 mi · 15 min · Kingery Highway
17

Take the exit slight right

338 ft · 9 sec
18

Turn slight right onto West Saint Charles Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · West Saint Charles Road
19

Turn left onto South York Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · South York Street
20

Turn left onto West Park Avenue

39 ft · 3 sec · West Park Avenue
21

Turn slight right

66 ft · 5 sec
22

Arrive at your 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 151.6 miles from Quincy, IL, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 168 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 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 151.6 miles or 2h 52m 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 39m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elmhurst, 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 303.2 miles and 5h 46m.

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 55 for about 168 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 151.6 mi from Quincy, IL · 2h 52m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bloomington, IL

152 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

Decatur, IL

Fuel and coffee

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

Bloomington, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 151.6 miles from Quincy, 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 168 miles.

Arriving in Elmhurst, IL

The final approach into Elmhurst, 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 Elmhurst, 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

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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 115
View on nps.gov
Pullman National Historical Park

Pullman National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

18 mi from route ~45 min detour Free near mile 292.8
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$46.05 one way

$92.11 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 106 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $50.77 $101.54
premium $4.80 $57.24 $114.48
diesel $5.64 $67.36 $134.72

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$46

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$71–$96

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 106.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 91 1 $31.84 $14.55
Efficient EV 75.8 0 $26.53 $12.13
EV Truck/SUV 121.3 1 $42.45 $19.40

Gas CO2

106 kg

EV CO2

35 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Quincy, IL

Morning in Quincy on Monday

Local time

7:38 AM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Elmhurst, IL

Morning in Elmhurst on Monday

Local time

7:38 AM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

53°F

Bloomington, IL

152 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

1 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 46m 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 Quincy, IL to Elmhurst, IL covers 303.2 miles and takes about 5h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, I 72, Gardner Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 151.6 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 $46.05 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 14 significant decision points across 303.2 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 142.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 172.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 290.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Quincy, IL to Elmhurst, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.

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