Trip from Quincy, IL to Palatine, IL

Data updated 34 minutes ago

Drive Time

Distance

315.9 mi

508 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$49

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

5h 48m ★

6 AM

6h 1m

8 AM

6h 27m

10 AM

6h 10m

12 PM

6h 7m

3 PM

6h 11m

5 PM

6h 25m

8 PM

5h 53m

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

village in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Palatine, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 315.9-mile drive from Quincy, IL, to Palatine, IL, is easily manageable as a single-day adventure, taking approximately 6 hours to complete. The route primarily utilizes I-55 and I-72, with a portion on the Veterans Memorial Tollway, making it a highly highway-focused experience at 92% interstate. With an estimated fuel cost of $49, this is an efficient trip across Illinois. Given the relatively short duration and focus on major roadways, this drive is well-suited for a direct journey without the need for an overnight stop. You'll be traveling within the Midwest region for the entire trip.

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

157.9 miles from Quincy, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 59m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 315.9-mile journey. With 92% of the route on major interstates like I-55 and I-72, you'll experience a consistent pace for much of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 162.3 miles on I-55, so be prepared for extended periods of highway driving. While the profile is largely interstate, the transition onto the Veterans Memorial Tollway will introduce a different type of controlled-access highway experience as you approach your destination. This route prioritizes efficient travel over winding scenic byways.

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

There are about 24 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.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 315.9 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 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 17 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

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...

311.2 mi into trip | ~5h 52m in | IL 53

Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

313.4 mi into trip | ~5h 55m in

Take the exit toward Kirchoff Road

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

Use the right lane. Toward Kirchoff Road

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 Palatine, 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	5.6 mi	6m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway	2.8 mi	3m
IL 53	2.2 mi	2m
Hicks Road	1.5 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 Palatine, 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

112 mi · 2 hr 3 min · I 55

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

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 269 Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

1.2 mi · 2 min

Toward I 355 North: Northwest Suburbs

Merge onto I 355

19 mi · 24 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 290

5.6 mi · 6 min · I 290

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53

2.2 mi · 2 min · IL 53

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 50 sec

Toward Kirchoff Road Use the right lane.

Turn left onto Kirchoff Road

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Kirchoff Road

Turn right onto West Frontage Road

400 ft · 8 sec · West Frontage Road

Continue on Hicks Road

1.5 mi · 3 min · Hicks Road

Turn left onto US 14

0.3 mi · 54 sec · East Northwest Highway

Turn left onto East Palatine Road

73 ft · 1 sec · East Palatine Road

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

East Palatine Road

Trip Plan

For this 6-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Quincy to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential afternoon traffic as you approach Palatine. With only one recommended stop and a 162.3-mile stretch on I-55, plan your rest and refueling strategically. The fuel cost is estimated at $49, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Quincy. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace. Keep an eye out for signage as you transition from I-72 to I-55 and then onto the Veterans Memorial Tollway to ensure you stay on the most efficient path to Palatine.

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 157.9 miles from Quincy, IL, or about 2h 59m 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 80 miles or 1h 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 157.9 miles or 2h 59m 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 50m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palatine, 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 315.9 miles and 6h.

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 162.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 157.9 mi from Quincy, IL · 2h 59m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bloomington, IL

158 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 157.9 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 Palatine, IL

The final approach into Palatine, 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 Palatine, 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

$49.39 one way

$98.77 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 111 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$54.23	$108.45
premium	$4.89	$60.79	$121.58
diesel	$5.61	$69.75	$139.49

Estimated Tolls: $1.35

Veterans Memorial Tollway (19.2 mi) $1.35

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

$49

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$76–$101

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 110.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	94.8	1	$33.17	$15.16
Efficient EV	79	0	$27.64	$12.64
EV Truck/SUV	126.4	1	$44.23	$20.22

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 data refreshed 1 hour ago

Origin

Quincy, IL

Late night in Quincy on Wednesday

Local time

5:34 AM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Palatine, IL

Late night in Palatine on Wednesday

Local time

5:34 AM

CDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

53°F

Bloomington, IL

158 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

30 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 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 Palatine, IL covers 315.9 miles and takes about 6h 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 157.9 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 $49.39 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.

Between Quincy, IL and Palatine, IL, road signs point toward Peoria and Southwest Suburbs.

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Trip from Quincy, IL to Palatine, 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 Palatine, IL

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Quincy, IL

Palatine, IL

Same local time

30 degrees cooler at arrival

6h on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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