Cary, IL to Quincy, IL is 293.4 miles and takes about 6h 2m via Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. The route balances highway driving with surface roads, making it a practical choice for a single-day drive. You'll experience a mix of environments as you head southwest across the state. It’s a straightforward drive, well-suited for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
146.7 miles from Cary, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
82.7 mi
1h 32m
IL 110
56.7 mi
1h 7m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
49.7 mi
53m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
38.9 mi
41m
Plank Road
12 mi
18m
US 24
9.1 mi
13m
West Jackson Street
6.2 mi
10m
East Higgins Road
5.3 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
— 82.7 mi, about 1h 32m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~784 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,084
Quietest
2 AM
~85 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 81 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cary, IL and Quincy, IL.
1
Start on this road
42 ft·5 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto North 1st Street
0.2 mi·53 sec·North 1st Street
3
Turn right onto US 14
518 ft·10 sec·South Northwest Highway
4
Turn straight onto West Main Street
0.8 mi·2 min·West Main Street
5
Turn left onto V36
1.4 mi·2 min·Cary Algonquin Road
6
Turn right onto Klasen Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Klasen Road
7
At end of road, turn left onto IL 31
2.5 mi·4 min·IL 31
8
Turn right onto Edgewood Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Edgewood Road
9
Turn left onto Hanson Road
0.2 mi·31 sec·Hanson Road
10
Turn right onto North County Line Road
1.0 mi·1 min·North County Line Road
11
Turn left onto CR 34
3.5 mi·5 min·Randall Road
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn right onto IL 72
1.2 mi·2 min·Higgins Road
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on IL 72
5.3 mi·8 min·East Higgins Road
14
Turn left onto US 20; IL 47; IL 72
2.4 mi·3 min·US 20; IL 47; IL 72
15
Turn right onto CR 22
12 mi·18 min·Plank Road
16
Turn left onto IL 23
2.0 mi·3 min·North Main Street
17
Turn right onto West Elm Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·West Elm Street
18
Continue on DeKalb Avenue
1.1 mi·2 min·DeKalb Avenue
19
Turn left onto South Peace Road
4.4 mi·6 min·South Peace Road
20
Continue on North Peace Road
1.4 mi·2 min·North Peace Road
21
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 88 West Toll: Moline Rock Island
22
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
50 mi·53 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 88; IL 110
1.1 mi·1 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
24
Continue on I 88; IL 110
38 mi·40 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Exit 41
25
Continue on I 88; IL 92; IL 110
5.4 mi·5 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
26
Take the exit onto IL 110
7.1 mi·8 min·IL 110
Toward I 80: Peoria
27
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 110
31 mi·33 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
28
Take the exit onto IL 110
50 mi·59 min·IL 110
Exit 46AToward US 34 West: Monmouth
29
Continue on US 67
1.2 mi·1 min·East 1200th Street
30
Continue on US 67
1.6 mi·2 min·North Lafayette Street
31
Turn right onto US 136
0.2 mi·26 sec·West Calhoun Street
32
Continue on US 136
398 ft·11 sec·North Johnson Street
33
Turn right onto US 136
6.2 mi·10 min·West Jackson Street
34
Continue on US 136
0.6 mi·50 sec·Macomb Street
35
Continue on US 136
0.6 mi·56 sec·East North Street
36
Continue on US 136
3.1 mi·4 min·East Campbell Street
37
Turn right onto US 136; IL 110; IL 336
46 mi·53 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
38
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 24: Mount Sterling, Keokuk
39
Turn right onto US 24
9.1 mi·13 min·US 24
40
Turn left onto Vermont Street
462 ft·25 sec·Vermont Street
41
Turn left onto US 24
343 ft·4 sec·North 4th Street
42
Turn right
71 ft·1 sec
43
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to ensure you arrive with plenty of daylight, especially since it's recommended as a one-day trip. You'll have one designated stop, but with a 6-hour duration, consider a brief break around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel if needed, rather than waiting for the single suggested stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $46 and service stations can be spaced out on the surface road portions. Pay attention to signage as you transition from highway to surface roads; this is a common point where drivers might miss an exit.
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 146.7 miles from Cary, IL, or about 3h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.7 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 65 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.7 miles or 3h 3m 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 57m
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 Cary, 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 Cary, IL
This is one driving day of about 293.4 miles and 6h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Cary, 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 82.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.7 and 283.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
11.7 mi into trip|~22m in|IL 72 / Higgins Road
Turn right onto IL 72 / Higgins Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
41.8 mi into trip|~1h 10m in
Take the ramp toward I 88 West Toll: Moline Rock Island
Navigation decision point
Toward I 88 West Toll: Moline Rock Island
5
42.1 mi into trip|~1h 11m in|I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Merge onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
174.5 mi into trip|~3h 33m in|IL 110
Take the exit onto IL 110 toward US 34 West: Monmouth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 46A
Toward US 34 West: Monmouth
5
283.7 mi into trip|~5h 47m in
Take the exit toward US 24: Mount Sterling, Keokuk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 24: Mount Sterling, Keokuk
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.94 one way
$97.88 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$53.19
$106.39
premium
$5.26
$60.75
$121.50
diesel
$6.18
$71.37
$142.75
Estimated Tolls: $2.98
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(49.7 mi)$2.98
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
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88
1
$30.81
$14.08
Efficient EV
73.4
0
$25.67
$11.74
EV Truck/SUV
117.4
1
$41.08
$18.78
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 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 Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Cary, IL
Morning
in Cary on Saturday
Local time
6:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Cloudy
WNW 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 1:28AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 1:28AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Quincy, IL
Morning
in Quincy on Saturday
Local time
6:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 9 to 13 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 1:28AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 1:28AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
51°F
Buckeye, IL
147 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
4 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 2m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 52% of this 293.4-mile drive on highways, including the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 82.7 miles, likely on the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. After the highway segments, expect a shift to surface roads for the remainder of your trip. This change means you'll notice more local traffic and potentially more frequent intersections as you approach your destination.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.7 mi on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 26 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 11.7 miles in near IL 72 / Higgins Road.
Driving Effort5/10
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 293.4 miles you will encounter 26 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 11.7 miles (IL 72 / Higgins Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 41.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 42.1 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Quincy is a small city of 40,000 in Adams County, Western Illinois. It is near the westernmost point in Illinois on the Mississippi River, and is home to some of the most impressive historic architecture in the region.
Top landmarks
•Downtown Quincy Historic District — historic district in Illinois, United States
•South Side German Historic District — historic district in Illinois, United States
•Quincy East End Historic District — historic district in Illinois, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 2m. Total distance: 293.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (52%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.7 miles on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.98 in tolls one way, starting with Reagan Memorial Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 11 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Quincy, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.7 miles (IL 72 / Higgins Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 41.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 42.1 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Quincy, IL before the return drive.
