Woodlawn, IL to Quincy, IL is 311.4 miles and takes about 5h 57m via I 55, I 72, and I 80, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, primarily traversing Illinois. It's a straightforward highway-focused journey, making it a practical option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently. With a recommended one-day trip, you can expect a consistent pace for most of the drive.
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
155.7 miles from Woodlawn, 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 5h 57m. Total distance: 311.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 98% of the journey on interstates, meaning you'll be on fast-moving roads for the vast majority of your trip. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 157.8 miles on I 55. The character of the drive is largely consistent, offering a smooth and direct path as you navigate between major highways. Expect a predictable driving experience suitable for making good time.
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 157.8 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 0.2 miles in near East 65th Street.
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 20 significant decision points across 311.4 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 0.2 miles (East 65th Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.5 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|East 65th Street
At end of road, turn right onto East 65th Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
2.6 mi into trip|~6m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
5.5 mi into trip|~10m in|I 57
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 63
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
7
18.9 mi into trip|~28m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Iowa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 345B
Toward I 80 West: Iowa
8
137.9 mi into trip|~2h 41m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
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 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
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 Woodlawn, IL to Quincy, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
Springfield
137.9 mi in|~2h 41m|via I 55
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
157.8 mi
2h 50m
I 72
92.9 mi
1h 39m
I 80
25.3 mi
30m
I 57
13.4 mi
18m
IL 57
12.2 mi
21m
Dan Ryan Expressway
2.7 mi
3m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
2.2 mi
2m
East 71st Street
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 157.8 mi, about 2h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Woodlawn, IL and Quincy, IL.
1
Start on South Greenwood Avenue
0.2 mi·46 sec·South Greenwood Avenue
2
At end of road, turn right onto East 65th Street
132 ft·13 sec·East 65th Street
3
Turn left onto South Greenwood Avenue
0.1 mi·33 sec·South Greenwood Avenue
4
Turn right onto East Marquette Road
0.3 mi·54 sec·East Marquette Road
5
Turn left onto South Cottage Grove Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·South Cottage Grove Avenue
6
Turn right onto East 71st Street
1.1 mi·2 min·East 71st Street
7
Turn left onto South Lafayette Avenue
208 ft·6 sec·South Lafayette Avenue
Use the left lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 94 East
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·20 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 94
2.7 mi·3 min·Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
13 mi·18 min·I 57
Exit 63Toward I 57 South: MemphisUse the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·45 sec
Exit 345BToward I 80 West: IowaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 80
25 mi·30 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 126AToward I 55 South: Saint Louis
15
Merge onto I 55
93 mi·1 hr 40 min·I 55
Use the right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
65 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, SpringfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36
93 mi·1 hr 39 min·I 72; US 36
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·51 sec
Toward I 172 North: Quincy
19
Continue on I 172; IL 110
2.2 mi·2 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
20
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward IL 57: Marblehead, Quincy
21
Turn left onto IL 57
12 mi·20 min·IL 57
22
Turn left onto IL 57
0.4 mi·43 sec·IL 57
23
Turn right
71 ft·1 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 57m duration, starting your trip in Woodlawn, IL, early in the morning is your best bet to ensure you arrive in Quincy, IL, with ample daylight. While the drive is manageable in one day, consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs, especially before the longest stretch on I 55. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as there are limited opportunities to refuel directly off the interstate during the longer segments. The $49 fuel cost is a good estimate for planning your budget.
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 155.7 miles from Woodlawn, IL, or about 3h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 157.8 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 69 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.7 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Quincy, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Woodlawn, 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 Woodlawn, IL
This is one driving day of about 311.4 miles and 5h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Woodlawn, 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 157.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 155.7 mi from Woodlawn, IL
· 3h into the drive
The midpoint is around 155.7 miles from Woodlawn, 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 157.8 miles.
Arriving in Quincy, IL
The final approach into Quincy, 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 Quincy, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
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...
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
93.4
1
$32.70
$14.95
Efficient EV
77.9
0
$27.25
$12.46
EV Truck/SUV
124.6
1
$43.60
$19.93
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
36 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
Woodlawn, IL
Evening
in Woodlawn on Friday
Local time
5:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Quincy, IL
Evening
in Quincy on Friday
Local time
5:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Bloomington, IL
156 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
2 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 57m 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 Woodlawn, IL to Quincy, IL covers 311.4 miles and takes about 5h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, I 72, I 80. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 155.7 miles from Woodlawn, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.68 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 20 significant decision points across 311.4 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 0.2 miles (East 65th Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.5 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Woodlawn, IL to Quincy, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
