Trip from Quincy, IL to Evanston, IL

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

6h 17m

Distance

323.3 mi

520 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$51

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

6h 5m ★

6 AM

6h 17m

8 AM

6h 42m

10 AM

6h 26m

12 PM

6h 24m

3 PM

6h 27m

5 PM

6h 41m

8 PM

6h 10m

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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Quincy, IL

Wikimedia Commons

suburban city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Evanston, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 323.3-mile drive from Quincy, IL, to Evanston, IL, is a straightforward trip through the heart of the Midwest, estimated to take about 6 hours and 17 minutes. With 90% of the journey on highways, it’s an efficient route that can comfortably be completed in a single day, though an early start is recommended. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $51, making it an affordable option for a quick getaway or a practical way to travel between these two Illinois locations. The predominantly highway-focused profile means you'll experience a consistent driving pace for most of the journey.

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

161.7 miles from Quincy, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 3m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this 323.3-mile route, with 90% of the drive utilizing major interstates like I-55 and I-72, followed by the Tri-State Tollway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 170.7 miles on I-55, meaning you can settle in for a solid period of driving. While this profile suggests a generally consistent pace, be prepared for the transition onto the tollway as you approach your destination. This drive prioritizes efficiency over varied scenery.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 29 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 170.7 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 22 significant decision points across 323.3 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 293 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 22 key points

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

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

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

293 mi into trip | ~5h 29m in

Take the exit toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin

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

Use the right lane. Exit 277A Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin

311.4 mi into trip | ~5h 54m in

Take the exit toward Touhy Avenue

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 42 A-B Toward Touhy Avenue

312.1 mi into trip | ~5h 55m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Touhy Avenue East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 42A Toward Touhy Avenue East

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 Quincy, IL to Evanston, 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	170.7 mi	3h 7m
I 72	106.9 mi	1h 55m
Tri-State Tollway	16.6 mi	20m
Gardner Expressway	11.3 mi	19m
Oakton Street	4 mi	7m
East Touhy Avenue	3 mi	5m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway	2.8 mi	3m
West Howard Street	1.7 mi	3m

Longest stretch: I 55 — 170.7 mi, about 3h 7m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

53 ft · 1 sec · this road

Turn right onto IL 104

381 ft · 35 sec · Broadway Street

Continue on IL 104

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Broadway Street

Turn left onto North 3rd Street

0.4 mi · 52 sec · North 3rd Street

Continue on IL 57

11 mi · 19 min · Gardner Expressway

Continue on East 1083rd Lane

0.1 mi · 11 sec · East 1083rd Lane

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min

Merge onto I 172; IL 110

2.8 mi · 3 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

Merge onto I 72; US 36

107 mi · 1 hr 55 min · I 72; US 36

Continue on I 55

20 mi · 21 min · I 55

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

29 mi · 31 min · I 55

Toward I 55 North: Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

121 mi · 2 hr 14 min · I 55

Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.6 mi · 3 min

Exit 277A Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin Use the right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin

Merge onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

12 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Exit 42 A-B Toward Touhy Avenue Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 42 A-B Toward Touhy Avenue

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Exit 42A Toward Touhy Avenue East Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue

3.0 mi · 5 min · East Touhy Avenue

Turn left onto IL 43

0.5 mi · 50 sec · North Harlem Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto West Howard Street

1.7 mi · 3 min · West Howard Street

Turn left onto New Gross Point Road

0.1 mi · 10 sec · New Gross Point Road

Continue on Gross Point Road

0.5 mi · 54 sec · Gross Point Road

Turn right onto Oakton Street

4.0 mi · 7 min · Oakton Street

Turn left onto Asbury Avenue

1.0 mi · 1 min · Asbury Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Dempster Street

213 ft · 9 sec · Dempster Street

Turn uturn

213 ft · 17 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 6-hour and 17-minute duration, starting your drive from Quincy early in the morning is advisable to avoid potential traffic, especially as you get closer to the Chicago metropolitan area. With only one recommended stop and a long stretch of 170.7 miles on I-55, plan your fuel and rest breaks strategically. The $51 fuel cost is a good estimate, but keeping an eye on your tank is always wise on longer highway drives. This route is entirely within Illinois, so you won't need to worry about state lines, but be prepared for toll charges on the Tri-State Tollway as you near Evanston.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 161.7 miles from Quincy, IL, or about 3h 3m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 170.7 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 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 161.7 miles or 3h 3m 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 58m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Evanston, 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 323.3 miles and 6h 17m.

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 170.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 161.7 mi from Quincy, IL · 3h 3m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bloomington, IL

162 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 161.7 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 170.7 miles.

Arriving in Evanston, IL

The final approach into Evanston, 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 Evanston, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$50.54 one way

$101.09 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 113 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$55.50	$110.99
premium	$4.89	$62.22	$124.43
diesel	$5.61	$71.38	$142.76

Estimated Tolls: $0.99

Tri-state Tollway (16.6 mi) $0.99

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

$51

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$77–$102

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 113.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	97	1	$33.95	$15.52
Efficient EV	80.8	0	$28.29	$12.93
EV Truck/SUV	129.3	1	$45.26	$20.69

Gas CO2

113 kg

EV CO2

38 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 1 hour ago

Origin

Quincy, IL

Late night in Quincy on Wednesday

Local time

5:05 AM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Evanston, IL

Late night in Evanston on Wednesday

Local time

5:05 AM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

53°F

Bloomington, IL

162 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

25 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

6h 17m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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 Evanston, IL covers 323.3 miles and takes about 6h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 55, I 72, Tri-State Tollway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 161.7 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 $50.54 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

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.

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

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Trip from Quincy, IL to Evanston, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Evanston, IL

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Quincy, IL

Evanston, IL

Same local time

25 degrees cooler at arrival

6h 17m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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