Origin
Quincy, IL
Late night in Quincy on Friday
Local time
3:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 16m
Distance
110.4 mi
178 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Quincy, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Springfield, IL
Wikimedia Commons
This 110.4-mile drive from Quincy, IL to Springfield, IL is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 16 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-72, the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, and Gardner Expressway, this route is heavily highway-focused, with 93% of the journey on interstates. It's a perfect candidate for a day trip, so you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. With an estimated fuel cost of $17, it's an economical option for exploring the Midwest. The journey is designed for efficiency, getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.2 miles from Quincy, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 16m. Total distance: 110.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 110.4-mile journey, with 93% of the drive on interstates. The main arteries, including I-72, will keep you moving at a good pace. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 86.5 miles on I-72, offering a consistent driving experience. While predominantly highway, the route's character is about efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. It's a route designed to cover ground smoothly, allowing you to focus on reaching your destination.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 72 and Gardner Expressway. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 101.9 miles in.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 110.4 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 101.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108 miles (Chatham Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 108.1 miles (West Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward Springfield, Loami
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto Chatham Road
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto West Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
At end of road, turn left onto North Lewis Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto West Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Quincy, IL to Springfield, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Loami along the way.
Loami
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 72 | 86.5 mi | 1h 32m |
| Gardner Expressway | 11.3 mi | 19m |
| Chicago-Kansas City Expressway | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| Wabash Avenue | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| West Washington Street | 2.3 mi | 6m |
| Veterans Parkway | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| West Monroe Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| North 3rd Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Quincy, IL and Springfield, IL.
Start on this road
Turn right onto IL 104
Continue on IL 104
Turn left onto North 3rd Street
Continue on IL 57
Continue on East 1083rd Lane
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 172; IL 110
Merge onto I 72; US 36
Take the exit
Turn left onto Old Route 54
Continue on Wabash Avenue
Turn left onto IL 4
Take the exit
Turn straight onto West Monroe Street
Turn left onto Chatham Road
Turn right onto West Washington Street
At end of road, turn left onto North Lewis Street
Turn right onto West Washington Street
Arrive at destination
Given the relatively short 2-hour and 16-minute duration, this trip is ideal for a same-day excursion. You can leave Quincy at your leisure, as there are no designated stops requiring significant time. Plan for one fuel stop if needed, especially before embarking on the 86.5-mile stretch on I-72, to ensure a smooth journey to Springfield. The $17 fuel cost is an estimate, so checking current prices is always a good idea. You'll find plenty of opportunities to pull over for breaks along the interstate system.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 24 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.2 miles or 1h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springfield, IL than in the middle of the route.
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 110.4 miles and 2h 16m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 55.2 mi from Quincy, IL · 1h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
55 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.
A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 55.2 miles from Quincy, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 72 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.5 miles.
The final approach into Springfield, 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 Springfield, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$17.26 one way
$34.52 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $18.95 | $37.90 |
| premium | $4.89 | $21.25 | $42.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.37 | $48.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.1 | 0 | $11.59 | $5.30 |
| Efficient EV | 27.6 | 0 | $9.66 | $4.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.2 | 0 | $15.46 | $7.07 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Quincy on Friday
Local time
3:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Springfield on Friday
Local time
3:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
72°F
Bedford, IL
55 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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