Douglas, IL to Quincy, IL is 310.9 miles and takes about 5h 55m via Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 72, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, making it a straightforward drive between two points in Illinois. With 99% of the route on highways, you'll spend most of your time on the interstate, covering a significant distance efficiently. Consider this an easy, same-day option if you're looking for a direct connection between these two Illinois locations.
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
155.4 miles from Douglas, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 58m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,743 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,333
Quietest
2 AM
~157 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Douglas, IL and Quincy, IL.
1
Start on East 33rd Street
302 ft·24 sec·East 33rd Street
2
Turn left onto South Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Drive
0.9 mi·1 min·South Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Drive
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn slight left onto East 24th Place
173 ft·10 sec·East 24th Place
Toward I 55Use the left lane.
4
Continue on East 24th Place
162 ft·8 sec·East 24th Place
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward I 55 South: St Louis
6
Merge onto I 55
7.1 mi·9 min·Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 55
0.3 mi·27 sec·Adlai E Stevenson Expressway
8
Continue on I 55
129 mi·2 hr 26 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
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
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·51 sec
Toward I 172 North: Quincy
12
Continue on I 172; IL 110
2.2 mi·2 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward IL 57: Marblehead, Quincy
14
Turn left onto IL 57
12 mi·20 min·IL 57
15
Turn left onto IL 57
0.4 mi·43 sec·IL 57
16
Turn right
71 ft·1 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 55m estimated drive time, leaving Douglas, IL in the morning will allow you to reach Quincy, IL with plenty of daylight remaining. The route is primarily highway, so plan for efficient travel, but remember that the longest stretch without a break is over 128 miles, so consider a brief stop around the halfway point. Your estimated fuel cost is around $49, so ensure your tank is full before departing. With a single day recommended, you have flexibility to depart at your convenience.
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 155.4 miles from Douglas, IL, or about 2h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.7 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 68 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.4 miles or 2h 58m 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 46m
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 Douglas, 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 Douglas, IL
This is one driving day of about 310.9 miles and 5h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Douglas, 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 Adlai Stevenson Expressway for about 128.7 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 295.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|South Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Drive
Turn left onto South Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
1.3 mi into trip|~2m in|I 55 / Stevenson Expressway
Merge onto I 55 / Stevenson Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
137.4 mi into trip|~2h 39m 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
6
202.2 mi into trip|~3h 49m in|I 72; US 36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36 toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
5
295.1 mi into trip|~5h 29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 172 North: Quincy
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 172 North: Quincy
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.86 one way
$103.72 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$56.37
$112.73
premium
$5.26
$64.37
$128.74
diesel
$6.18
$75.63
$151.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.3
1
$32.64
$14.92
Efficient EV
77.7
0
$27.20
$12.44
EV Truck/SUV
124.4
1
$43.53
$19.90
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Douglas, IL
Late night
in Douglas on Tuesday
Local time
12:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Clear
SW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Quincy, IL
Late night
in Quincy on Tuesday
Local time
12:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Clear
SE 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
76°F
Bloomington, IL
155 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 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 55m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 203.7
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 99% of the 310.9 miles taking place on interstates like the Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 72. You'll experience a long stretch of 128.7 miles on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway before transitioning to other main roads. Expect consistent cruising with relatively few interruptions from surface streets for the vast majority of your travel time.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 128.7 mi on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 72. 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 South Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Drive.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 310.9 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 (South Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (I 55 / Stevenson Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
796 ft501 ft
Total Climb
630 ft
Total Descent
658 ft
Highest Point
796 ft
~123 mi in
Elevation Range
296 ft
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 Douglas, IL to Quincy, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
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 55m. Total distance: 310.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 128.7 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 32 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 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. There are 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (I 55 / Stevenson Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 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.
