Traveling from Lake in the Hills to Quincy covers 287.4 miles across the Illinois landscape, typically requiring about 5 hours and 49 minutes of driving time. Because this is a single-state trek within the Midwest, you can comfortably complete the journey in one day if you start early. Budgeting approximately $44 for fuel will cover your transit along major corridors like the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, IL 110, and the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. While the trip is manageable for a single day, the duration makes it a significant commitment, so ensure your vehicle is prepped for nearly six hours behind the wheel. It is a straightforward route that connects the suburban environment of Lake in the Hills to the riverside character of Quincy without requiring an overnight stay.
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
143.7 miles from Lake in the Hills, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 54m 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
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake in the Hills, IL and Quincy, IL.
1
Start on West Acorn Lane
0.3 mi·1 min·West Acorn Lane
2
Turn left onto V29
0.4 mi·50 sec·North Randall Road
3
Continue on V29
5.0 mi·8 min·South Randall Road
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto IL 72
1.2 mi·2 min·Higgins Road
Use the right lane.
5
Continue on IL 72
5.3 mi·8 min·East Higgins Road
6
Turn left onto US 20; IL 47; IL 72
2.4 mi·3 min·US 20; IL 47; IL 72
7
Turn right onto CR 22
12 mi·18 min·Plank Road
8
Turn left onto IL 23
2.0 mi·3 min·North Main Street
9
Turn right onto West Elm Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·West Elm Street
10
Continue on DeKalb Avenue
1.1 mi·2 min·DeKalb Avenue
11
Turn left onto South Peace Road
4.4 mi·6 min·South Peace Road
12
Continue on North Peace Road
1.4 mi·2 min·North Peace Road
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 88 West Toll: Moline Rock Island
14
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
50 mi·53 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 88; IL 110
1.1 mi·1 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
16
Continue on I 88; IL 110
38 mi·40 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Exit 41
17
Continue on I 88; IL 92; IL 110
5.4 mi·5 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
18
Take the exit onto IL 110
7.1 mi·8 min·IL 110
Toward I 80: Peoria
19
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 110
31 mi·33 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
20
Take the exit onto IL 110
50 mi·59 min·IL 110
Exit 46AToward US 34 West: Monmouth
21
Continue on US 67
1.2 mi·1 min·East 1200th Street
22
Continue on US 67
1.6 mi·2 min·North Lafayette Street
23
Turn right onto US 136
0.2 mi·26 sec·West Calhoun Street
24
Continue on US 136
398 ft·11 sec·North Johnson Street
25
Turn right onto US 136
6.2 mi·10 min·West Jackson Street
26
Continue on US 136
0.6 mi·50 sec·Macomb Street
27
Continue on US 136
0.6 mi·56 sec·East North Street
28
Continue on US 136
3.1 mi·4 min·East Campbell Street
29
Turn right onto US 136; IL 110; IL 336
46 mi·53 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
30
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 24: Mount Sterling, Keokuk
31
Turn right onto US 24
9.1 mi·13 min·US 24
32
Turn left onto Vermont Street
462 ft·25 sec·Vermont Street
33
Turn left onto US 24
343 ft·4 sec·North 4th Street
34
Turn right
71 ft·1 sec
35
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To keep your travel efficient, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic near your origin point. Since the trip includes one recommended stop, plan to take your break during the longest 82.7-mile stretch to refresh your focus before tackling the remainder of the route. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the day, as the $44 cost estimate assumes steady highway speeds; stop for gas before you hit the longer, more remote sections of the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. Because the entire drive spans under six hours, you have the flexibility to adjust your arrival time based on your personal pace. Always check the specific toll requirements for the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway before you leave to ensure you have the necessary payment methods ready for your transit.
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 143.7 miles from Lake in the Hills, IL, or about 2h 54m 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 63 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.7 miles or 2h 54m 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 Lake in the Hills, 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 Lake in the Hills, IL
This is one driving day of about 287.4 miles and 5h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Lake in the Hills, 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.7 and 277.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.7 mi into trip|~10m in|IL 72 / Higgins Road
Turn right onto IL 72 / Higgins Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
35.8 mi into trip|~57m in
Take the ramp toward I 88 West Toll: Moline Rock Island
Navigation decision point
Toward I 88 West Toll: Moline Rock Island
5
36.1 mi into trip|~58m 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
168.5 mi into trip|~3h 20m 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
277.7 mi into trip|~5h 34m 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
$44.93 one way
$89.86 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$49.33
$98.67
premium
$4.89
$55.31
$110.62
diesel
$5.61
$63.45
$126.91
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
$45
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.2
1
$30.18
$13.80
Efficient EV
71.9
0
$25.15
$11.50
EV Truck/SUV
115
1
$40.24
$18.39
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Lake in the Hills, IL
Late night
in Lake in the Hills on Sunday
Local time
5:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Quincy, IL
Late night
in Quincy on Sunday
Local time
5:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
Burgess, IL
144 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
26 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 49m 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?
Expect a mixed drive that balances high-speed efficiency with stretches of regional transit. With 53% of your journey spent on highways, you will experience a variety of road types, transitioning from busy tollways to the more consistent pace of the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on this expressway, covering 82.7 miles of open road. This variety helps keep the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind, though you should remain attentive as the road character shifts between major arterial highways and secondary state routes like IL 110. You will find that the rhythm of the drive changes as you move away from the suburban density near your starting point and head toward the western reaches of the state.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
35 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 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.7 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 287.4 miles you will encounter 17 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 5.7 miles (IL 72 / Higgins Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 35.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 36.1 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 49m. Total distance: 287.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (53%). 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.
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.
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 5.7 miles (IL 72 / Higgins Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 35.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 36.1 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 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 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.
