Traveling from Crestwood to Quincy covers 267.9 miles across the Illinois Midwest, a journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 25 minutes. Because this is a manageable distance, it works perfectly as a straightforward one-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You will navigate via a combination of the Ken Gray Expressway, I-64, and the Avenue of the Saints. Budgeting roughly $41 for fuel should comfortably cover your expenses for the trek. Since the route remains entirely within Illinois, you can expect a consistent regional feel as you transition from the suburban outskirts of Crestwood toward the western edge of the state.
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
133.9 miles from Crestwood, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Avenue of the Saints
101.9 mi
2h 2m
I 64
72.5 mi
1h 20m
Ken Gray Expressway
50.5 mi
54m
IL 57
12.2 mi
21m
Jack Buck Memorial Highway
6.9 mi
9m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
6.4 mi
7m
Daniel Boone Expressway
5.7 mi
7m
Power Plant Road
2.7 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 101.9 mi, about 2h 2m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 13 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,194 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,111
Quietest
2 AM
~187 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 47 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 Crestwood, IL and Quincy, IL.
1
Start on Pinewood Drive
385 ft·19 sec·Pinewood Drive
2
Turn right onto Ridgeway
283 ft·18 sec·Ridgeway
3
Turn left onto McKinney Chapel Road
255 ft·11 sec·McKinney Chapel Road
4
Continue on McKinney Chapel Road
0.5 mi·1 min·McKinney Chapel Road
5
Turn right onto Power Plant Road
2.7 mi·6 min·Power Plant Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto Lake Egypt Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Lake Egypt Road
7
Turn left onto IL 37
0.3 mi·31 sec·IL 37
8
At end of road, turn right onto IL 148
0.4 mi·41 sec·IL 148
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
10
Merge onto I 57
50 mi·54 min·Ken Gray Expressway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
72 mi·1 hr 20 min·I 64
Toward I 64 West: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55; IL 3
1.6 mi·1 min·I 55; IL 3
Exit 1Toward IL 3 South: CahokiaUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 40
6.9 mi·9 min·Jack Buck Memorial Highway
Toward I 64 West, US 40 WestUse the straight lane.
14
Continue on I 64; US 40
5.7 mi·7 min·Daniel Boone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on I 64; US 40; US 61
101 mi·2 hr·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 61
1.6 mi·2 min·McMasters Avenue
17
Continue on US 61
0.7 mi·1 min·Avenue of the Saints
18
Continue on US 61
403 ft·11 sec·McMasters Avenue
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward I 72 East, US 36 East, MO 110 East: Springfield, Illinois, Downtown Hannibal
20
Merge onto I 72; US 36; MO 110
1.4 mi·1 min·V.F.W. Memorial Highway
21
Continue on I 72; US 36; MO 110
0.9 mi·59 sec·Mark Twain Memorial Bridge
22
Continue on I 72; US 36; IL 110
3.2 mi·3 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
23
Take the exit onto IL 110
3.2 mi·4 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
24
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward IL 57: Marblehead, Quincy
25
Turn left onto IL 57
12 mi·20 min·IL 57
26
Turn left onto IL 57
0.4 mi·43 sec·IL 57
27
Turn right
71 ft·1 sec
28
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To keep your 5-hour and 25-minute drive stress-free, aim for an early morning departure to avoid potential congestion on the initial legs of the trip. Since the plan only calls for one scheduled stop, try to time your break to coincide with the conclusion of the long 101.9-mile stretch on the Avenue of the Saints. This helps reset your focus after the most extended period of highway driving. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge when navigating the more rural segments, as service station availability can fluctuate once you move away from the major expressways. Having that $41 budget ready in advance ensures you won't be caught off guard by fluctuating pump prices along the way.
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 133.9 miles from Crestwood, IL, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.9 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 59 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.9 miles or 2h 35m 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 18m
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 Crestwood, 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 Crestwood, IL
This is one driving day of about 267.9 miles and 5h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Crestwood, 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 Avenue of the Saints for about 101.9 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 246.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Ridgeway
Turn right onto Ridgeway
Navigation decision point
7
55.9 mi into trip|~1h 8m in|I 64
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 West: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 64 West: Saint Louis
8
128.3 mi into trip|~2h 28m in|I 55; IL 3
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55; IL 3 toward IL 3 South: Cahokia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1
Toward IL 3 South: Cahokia
8
129.9 mi into trip|~2h 30m in|I 64; US 40 / Jack Buck Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64; US 40 / Jack Buck Memorial Highway toward I 64 West, US 40 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West
7
246.2 mi into trip|~4h 51m in
Take the exit toward I 72 East, US 36 East, MO 110 East: Springfield, Illinois, Downtown Hannibal
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 72 East, US 36 East, MO 110 East: Spri...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.56 one way
$79.13 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$43.68
$87.35
premium
$4.72
$49.74
$99.48
diesel
$4.80
$50.58
$101.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.4
0
$28.13
$12.86
Efficient EV
67
0
$23.44
$10.72
EV Truck/SUV
107.2
1
$37.51
$17.15
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Crestwood, IL
Morning
in Crestwood on Sunday
Local time
10:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Clear
WSW 2 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
Quincy, IL
Morning
in Quincy on Sunday
Local time
10:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Clear
SW 6 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
91°F
Chesterfield, MO
134 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
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 25m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, balancing high-speed transit with more localized stretches. Roughly 56% of your journey will be spent on highways, providing a steady pace for the majority of the drive. Be prepared for a significant push during the 101.9-mile stretch along the Avenue of the Saints, which serves as the longest uninterrupted segment of the route. As you move between the Ken Gray Expressway and other major roads, the character of the pavement changes, shifting from heavily traveled corridors to more varied road types. Expect a transition from busier traffic patterns to a more relaxed pace as you close in on your destination.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 101.9 mi on Avenue of the Saints.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Ridgeway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 267.9 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 0.1 miles (Ridgeway): Navigation decision point; at 55.9 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.3 miles (I 55; IL 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
865 ft403 ft
Total Climb
686 ft
Total Descent
655 ft
Highest Point
865 ft
~210.5 mi in
Elevation Range
462 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Crestwood, IL and Quincy, IL, road signs point toward Illinois and Hannibal.
Illinois
246.2 mi in|~4h 51m
Hannibal
246.2 mi in|~4h 51m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 5h 25m. Total distance: 267.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 101.9 miles on Avenue of the Saints. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Ridgeway): Navigation decision point; at 55.9 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.3 miles (I 55; IL 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 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.
