Origin
Quincy, IL
Morning in Quincy on Monday
Local time
10:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Quincy, IL to St. Charles, IL
Drive Time
5h 29m
Distance
277 mi
446 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 16m
★
6 AM
5h 29m
8 AM
5h 56m
10 AM
5h 39m
12 PM
5h 36m
3 PM
5h 40m
5 PM
5h 55m
8 PM
5h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Quincy, IL
Wikimedia Commons
St. Charles, IL
SHAHBAZ ZAMAN
Trip Overview
The drive from Quincy, IL to St. Charles, IL covers 277 miles and takes about 5h 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, IL 110, East Lincoln Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 140.6 miles on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.07 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
138.5 miles from Quincy, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 48m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 5h 29m highway drive covering 277 miles, with most of the trip on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and IL 110. The longest continuous stretch is about 140.6 miles on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 140.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and IL 110. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 120.2 miles in near IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 277 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 120.2 miles (IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 152.1 miles (IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 158.4 miles (IL 110): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
120.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 28m in
|
IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
5
152.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 3m in
|
IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway toward I 80 West: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 80 West: Des Moines
6
158.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m in
|
IL 110
Take the exit onto IL 110 toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 4B
Toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Fa...
6
252.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 51m in
Take the exit toward DeKalb, Sycamore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 94
Toward DeKalb, Sycamore
6
253 mi into trip
|
~4h 52m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Towns Along This Route
Between Quincy, IL and St. Charles, IL, road signs point toward Rock Island, Rock Falls, Dekalb and Sycamore.
Rock Island
120.2 mi in
|
~2h 28m
|
via IL 110
Rock Falls
158.4 mi in
|
~3h 10m
|
via IL 110
Dekalb
252.6 mi in
|
~4h 51m
Sycamore
252.6 mi in
|
~4h 51m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Kansas City Expressway | 140.6 mi | 2h 40m |
| IL 110 | 94.2 mi | 1h 41m |
| East Lincoln Highway | 20.2 mi | 27m |
| North 4th Street | 6 mi | 10m |
| US 136 | 3.4 mi | 6m |
| US 24 | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| North Lafayette Street | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Peace Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
— 140.6 mi, about 2h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Quincy, IL and St. Charles, 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
397 ft
·
6 sec
·
Broadway Street
4
Merge onto US 24
6.0 mi
·
10 min
·
North 4th Street
5
Turn right
510 ft
·
8 sec
6
Merge onto US 24
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
US 24
7
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
8
Merge onto IL 110; IL 336
54 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
10
Turn right onto US 136
3.4 mi
·
6 min
·
US 136
11
Turn left onto US 136
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
North Johnson Street
12
Turn slight right onto US 136
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
West Calhoun Street
13
Turn left onto US 67
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North Lafayette Street
14
Continue on US 67
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
East 1200th Street
15
Continue on US 67; IL 110
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
16
Continue on US 67; IL 110
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Monmouth Street
17
Continue on US 67; IL 110
45 mi
·
52 min
·
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
18
Keep slight right at fork onto IL 110
32 mi
·
34 min
·
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
19
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 110
6.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Toward I 80 West: Des Moines
20
Take the exit onto IL 110
94 mi
·
1 hr 41 min
·
IL 110
Exit 4B
Toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 94
Toward DeKalb, Sycamore
22
Keep slight right at fork
165 ft
·
6 sec
Use the left / right lanes.
23
Turn straight onto Peace Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Peace Road
24
Turn right onto IL 38
20 mi
·
27 min
·
East Lincoln Highway
25
Turn left onto CR 34
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
South Randall Road
26
Turn right onto Prairie Street
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Prairie Street
27
Turn left onto IL 31
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
South 2nd Street
28
Turn right onto IL 64
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
29
Turn right onto IL 25
80 ft
·
1 sec
·
South 5th Avenue
30
Arrive at destination
IL 25
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 138.5 miles from Quincy, IL, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.6 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 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.5 miles or 2h 48m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near St. Charles, 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 277 miles and 5h 29m.
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 Chicago-Kansas City Expressway for about 140.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 138.5 mi from Quincy, IL · 2h 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
139 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 138.5 miles from Quincy, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Chicago-Kansas City Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 140.6 miles.
Arriving in St. Charles, IL
The final approach into St. Charles, 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 St. Charles, 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
$42.07 one way
$84.15 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
97 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $46.38 | $92.76 |
| premium | $4.80 | $52.29 | $104.58 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $61.54 | $123.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.1 | 1 | $29.08 | $13.30 |
| Efficient EV | 69.3 | 0 | $24.24 | $11.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 110.8 | 1 | $38.78 | $17.73 |
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 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.
Destination
St. Charles, IL
Morning in St. Charles on Monday
Local time
10:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
55°F
Peoria, IL
139 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 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 29m 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 St. Charles, IL covers 277 miles and takes about 5h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, IL 110, East Lincoln Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 138.5 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 $42.07 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 21 significant decision points across 277 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 120.2 miles (IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 152.1 miles (IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 158.4 miles (IL 110): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Quincy, IL and St. Charles, IL, road signs point toward Rock Island, Rock Falls, Dekalb and Sycamore.
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