The drive from Quincy, IL to Mount Prospect, IL covers 317.5 miles and takes about 6h 5m 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, Veterans Memorial Tollway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 162.3 miles on I 55.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.64 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
158.8 miles from Quincy, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 5m. Total distance: 317.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 5m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 5m highway drive covering 317.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and I 72. The longest continuous stretch is about 162.3 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 27 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 162.3 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.
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 19 significant decision points across 317.5 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 284.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 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
8
284.6 mi into trip|~5h 18m in
Take the exit toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 269
Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest...
8
310.2 mi into trip|~5h 51m in
Take the exit toward IL 72, IL 58: Higgins Road, Woodfield Road, Golf Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 1B
Toward IL 72, IL 58: Higgins Road, Woodfield Ro...
7
317.3 mi into trip|~6h 4m in|IL 83 / South Main Street
Turn sharp left onto IL 83 / South Main Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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 Mount Prospect, IL, road signs point toward Peoria and Southwest Suburbs.
Peoria
172.2 mi in|~3h 14m|via I 55
Southwest Suburbs
284.6 mi in|~5h 18m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
162.3 mi
2h 56m
I 72
106.9 mi
1h 55m
Veterans Memorial Tollway
19.2 mi
24m
Gardner Expressway
11.3 mi
19m
I 290
4.6 mi
5m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
2.8 mi
3m
East Central Road
1.9 mi
3m
Golf Road
1.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 162.3 mi, about 2h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Quincy, IL and Mount Prospect, 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
107 mi·1 hr 55 min·I 72; US 36
10
Continue on I 55
20 mi·21 min·I 55
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
112 mi·2 hr 3 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 269Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest SuburbsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 355 North: Northwest Suburbs
15
Merge onto I 355
19 mi·24 min·Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 290
4.6 mi·5 min·I 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Exit 1BToward IL 72, IL 58: Higgins Road, Woodfield Road, Golf RoadUse the right lane.
18
Continue on East Frontage Road
1.0 mi·1 min·East Frontage Road
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto IL 58
1.8 mi·3 min·Golf Road
Use the left / right lanes.
20
Continue on IL 58
0.6 mi·58 sec·West Golf Road
Use the left lane.
21
Turn left onto South Arlington Heights Road
1.1 mi·2 min·South Arlington Heights Road
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto East Central Road
1.9 mi·3 min·East Central Road
Use the right lane.
23
Turn slight right onto US 14
0.4 mi·43 sec·West Northwest Highway
24
Turn sharp left onto IL 83
0.2 mi·23 sec·South Main Street
Use the left lane.
25
Turn left onto West Central Road
177 ft·5 sec·West Central Road
Use the left lane.
26
Turn right
52 ft·3 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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 158.8 miles from Quincy, IL, or about 3h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 162.3 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 70 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.8 miles or 3h 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mount Prospect, 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 317.5 miles and 6h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 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 162.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 158.8 mi from Quincy, IL
· 3h into the drive
The midpoint is around 158.8 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 162.3 miles.
Arriving in Mount Prospect, IL
The final approach into Mount Prospect, 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 Mount Prospect, 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.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
4.2
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Springfield, Illinois
Around the midpoint, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Inexpensiv
mile 113.4
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 109.5
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...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 284.7
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.3
1
$33.34
$15.24
Efficient EV
79.4
0
$27.78
$12.70
EV Truck/SUV
127
1
$44.45
$20.32
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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 as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Quincy, IL
Morning
in Quincy on Friday
Local time
7:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Mount Prospect, IL
Morning
in Mount Prospect on Friday
Local time
7:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Bloomington, IL
159 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
10 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
6h 5m 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 Mount Prospect, IL covers 317.5 miles and takes about 6h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, I 72, Veterans Memorial 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 158.8 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 $49.64 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 317.5 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 284.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Quincy, IL and Mount Prospect, IL, road signs point toward Peoria and Southwest Suburbs.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
EV charging comes from the
NREL Alternative Fuels
dataset.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
