Trip from Quincy, IL to Arlington Heights, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 2m

Distance

316.7 mi

510 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$50

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

5h 50m ★

6 AM

6h 3m

8 AM

6h 29m

10 AM

6h 12m

12 PM

6h 9m

3 PM

6h 13m

5 PM

6h 27m

8 PM

5h 55m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Quincy, IL

Wikimedia Commons

village in Cook County, Illinois, United States; suburb of Chicago, Illinois

Arlington Heights, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 313-mile drive from Quincy, IL to Arlington Heights, IL is best suited as a single-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 50 minutes. You'll navigate using local roads like Broadway Street, North 3rd Street, and Gardner Expressway, with no highway driving involved. Expect a fuel cost around $48 for this journey through the heart of Illinois. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, plan for a steady pace rather than a quick transit. It's a straightforward trip within the Midwest region, ideal for those who prefer a more connected-to-the-ground driving experience.

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

158.4 miles from Quincy, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 55	162.3 mi	2h 56m
I 72	106.9 mi	1h 55m
Veterans Memorial Tollway	19.2 mi	24m
Gardner Expressway	11.3 mi	19m
I 290	5.6 mi	6m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway	2.8 mi	3m
IL 53	2.7 mi	3m
Euclid Avenue	2.5 mi	5m

Longest stretch: I 55 — 162.3 mi, about 2h 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Quincy, IL and Arlington Heights, IL.

Start on this road

53 ft · 1 sec · this road

Turn right onto IL 104

381 ft · 35 sec · Broadway Street

Continue on IL 104

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Broadway Street

Turn left onto North 3rd Street

0.4 mi · 52 sec · North 3rd Street

Continue on IL 57

11 mi · 19 min · Gardner Expressway

Continue on East 1083rd Lane

0.1 mi · 11 sec · East 1083rd Lane

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min

Merge onto I 172; IL 110

2.8 mi · 3 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

Merge onto I 72; US 36

107 mi · 1 hr 55 min · I 72; US 36

Continue on I 55

20 mi · 21 min · I 55

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

29 mi · 31 min · I 55

Toward I 55 North: Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

112 mi · 2 hr 3 min · I 55

Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 269 Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

1.2 mi · 2 min

Toward I 355 North: Northwest Suburbs

Merge onto I 355

19 mi · 24 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 290

5.6 mi · 6 min · I 290

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53

2.7 mi · 3 min · IL 53

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 45 sec

Toward East Euclid Avenue, Third District, Circuit Court Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn slight right onto Euclid Avenue

2.5 mi · 5 min · Euclid Avenue

Use the left / right lanes.

Arrive at destination

East Euclid Avenue

Trip Plan

For this 4-hour and 50-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic delays within towns. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to take breaks as needed. The fuel cost is estimated at $48, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Quincy. Since this is a turn-heavy local drive, pay close attention to your GPS and road signs, especially when transitioning between Broadway Street and North 3rd Street. Staying alert to these changes will ensure a smoother journey to Arlington Heights.

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 158.4 miles from Quincy, IL, or about 3h into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 162.3 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 70 miles or 1h 24m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 158.4 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 50m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington Heights, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Quincy, 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 Quincy, IL

This is one driving day of about 316.7 miles and 6h 2m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Quincy, 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 162.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bloomington, IL

158 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Jacksonville, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bloomington, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 158.4 miles from Quincy, 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 162.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Tacochela Mexican Restaurant and Catering

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Downers Grove, Illinois

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 30min to go 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+16304478226

Visit website

Bloomin Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Normal, Illinois

0.4 mi

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Springfield, Illinois

0.6 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Critical Grind Board Game Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Shorewood, Illinois

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 55min to go 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+18156304235

Visit website

Kafé De Kasa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crest Hill, Illinois

1.9 mi

Emmys Cafe & Gaming

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Braidwood, Illinois

2.1 mi

Tacochela Mexican Restaurant and Catering

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Downers Grove, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+16304478226

Visit website

Bloomin Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Normal, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+13098081071

Visit website

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+12175445144

Visit website

Rosemary Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18157824094

Visit website

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately

Downers Grove, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13312159463

Visit website

Urban Kitchen

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Crest Hill, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18157826417

Visit website

Taste of Jerusalem

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Plainfield, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–7:30 pm

+18157826500

Visit website

Krekel's Custard & Hamburgers

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Grandview, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+12175254952

Visit website

Critical Grind Board Game Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Shorewood, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+18156304235

Visit website

Kafé De Kasa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Crest Hill, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18156303694

Visit website

Emmys Cafe & Gaming

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Braidwood, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+18153905133

Kafe De Kasa

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Shorewood, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17792421902

Visit website

Ten Drops Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Plainfield, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+16306962137

Visit website

Bonny's Bistro

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3 mi from route ~7 min detour

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+18476271095

Visit website

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Normal, Illinois

+13094549590

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Willowbrook, Illinois

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 142.8 and 313.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

142.8 mi into trip | ~2h 43m in | I 55

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 North: Chicago

172.2 mi into trip | ~3h 14m in | I 55

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

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 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

284.6 mi into trip | ~5h 18m in

Take the exit toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 269 Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest...

311.2 mi into trip | ~5h 52m in | IL 53

Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

313.9 mi into trip | ~5h 56m in

Take the exit toward East Euclid Avenue, Third District, Circuit Court

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward East Euclid Avenue, Third District, Circ...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$49.51 one way

$99.02 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 111 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$54.36	$108.73
premium	$4.89	$60.95	$121.89
diesel	$5.61	$69.92	$139.85

Estimated Tolls: $1.35

Veterans Memorial Tollway (19.2 mi) $1.35

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

$50

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$76–$101

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 110.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	95	1	$33.25	$15.20
Efficient EV	79.2	0	$27.71	$12.67
EV Truck/SUV	126.7	1	$44.34	$20.27

Gas CO2

111 kg

EV CO2

37 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 20, 2026

Origin

Quincy, IL

Late night in Quincy on Tuesday

Local time

4:01 AM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Arlington Heights, IL

Late night in Arlington Heights on Tuesday

Local time

4:01 AM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

68°F

Bloomington, IL

158 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This is a turn-heavy local drive, meaning you'll be navigating through towns and cities for the majority of the 313 miles. With a 0% highway share, you won't experience long stretches of uninterrupted high-speed travel. Instead, anticipate frequent adjustments in speed and direction as you follow roads like Broadway Street and North 3rd Street. The lack of a significant longest uninterrupted stretch suggests a continuous engagement with the road and your surroundings. This profile offers a more intimate connection with the landscape and communities you pass through.

92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 162.3 mi on I 55.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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 142.8 miles in near I 55.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 15 significant decision points across 316.7 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 142.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 172.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 284.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Quincy, IL and Arlington Heights, IL, road signs point toward Peoria and Southwest Suburbs.

Peoria

172.2 mi in | ~3h 14m | via I 55

Southwest Suburbs

284.6 mi in | ~5h 18m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 2m. Total distance: 316.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 162.3 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.35 in tolls one way, starting with Veterans 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.

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 Arlington Heights, 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.

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 Arlington Heights, IL before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Quincy, IL or browse trips ending in Arlington Heights, IL.

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Trip from Quincy, IL to Arlington Heights, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Tacochela Mexican Restaurant and Catering

Critical Grind Board Game Cafe

Tacochela Mexican Restaurant and Catering

Bloomin Cafe

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

Rosemary Cafe

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

Urban Kitchen

Taste of Jerusalem

Krekel's Custard & Hamburgers

Critical Grind Board Game Cafe

Kafé De Kasa

Emmys Cafe & Gaming

Kafe De Kasa

Ten Drops Coffee

Bonny's Bistro

Emmy's Cafe & Gaming

Tesla Supercharger

Rivian Waypoints

Tesla Destination Charger

Rivian Adventure Network

Tesla Supercharger

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Prairie Trail Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Quincy, IL

Arlington Heights, IL

Same local time

4 degrees cooler at arrival

6h 2m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

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