Quincy, IL to Buffalo Grove, IL is 321.7 miles and takes about 6h 9m via I 55 and I 72, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region. It's a predominantly highway route, so expect straightforward driving for most of the distance. With a single day recommended, this route is ideal for a quick transit between these two points, efficiently covering the miles without requiring an overnight stop.
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
160.8 miles from Quincy, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 2m 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
IL 53
7.2 mi
9m
I 290
5.6 mi
6m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
2.8 mi
3m
Lake Cook Road
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 162.3 mi, about 2h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Quincy, IL and Buffalo Grove, IL.
1
Start on this road
53 ft·1 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto IL 104
381 ft·35 sec·Broadway Street
3
Continue on IL 104
0.2 mi·25 sec·Broadway Street
4
Turn left onto North 3rd Street
0.4 mi·52 sec·North 3rd Street
5
Continue on IL 57
11 mi·19 min·Gardner Expressway
6
Continue on East 1083rd Lane
0.1 mi·11 sec·East 1083rd Lane
7
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
8
Merge onto I 172; IL 110
2.8 mi·3 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
9
Merge onto I 72; US 36
107 mi·1 hr 55 min·I 72; US 36
10
Continue on I 55
20 mi·21 min·I 55
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
112 mi·2 hr 3 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 269Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest SuburbsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 355 North: Northwest Suburbs
15
Merge onto I 355
19 mi·24 min·Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 290
5.6 mi·6 min·I 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
6.9 mi·9 min·IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit onto IL 53
0.3 mi·44 sec·IL 53
Toward IL 53, IL 68: Dundee RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto IL 68
0.9 mi·2 min·West Dundee Road
20
Turn left onto North Arlington Heights Road
1.0 mi·2 min·North Arlington Heights Road
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto Lake Cook Road
1.2 mi·1 min·Lake Cook Road
22
Turn right onto South Buffalo Grove Road
0.2 mi·19 sec·South Buffalo Grove Road
23
Turn left onto Aptakisic Road
103 ft·4 sec·Aptakisic Road
24
Arrive at destination
Aptakisic Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour drive, consider leaving early in the morning to avoid potential traffic congestion, especially as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $50, you can plan your fuel and rest breaks strategically. The longest stretch is 162.3 miles on I 55, so plan your first break accordingly. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but staying on schedule ensures you arrive with ample daylight.
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 160.8 miles from Quincy, IL, or about 3h 2m 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 71 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 160.8 miles or 3h 2m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buffalo Grove, 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 321.7 miles and 6h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 142.8 and 318 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
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
8
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
8
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...
6
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.
7
318 mi into trip|~6h 1m in|IL 53
Take the exit onto IL 53 toward IL 53, IL 68: Dundee Road
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 IL 53, IL 68: Dundee Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.29 one way
$100.59 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$55.22
$110.44
premium
$4.89
$61.91
$123.82
diesel
$5.61
$71.03
$142.05
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
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.5
1
$33.78
$15.44
Efficient EV
80.4
0
$28.15
$12.87
EV Truck/SUV
128.7
1
$45.04
$20.59
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 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
Quincy, IL
Night
in Quincy on Saturday
Local time
11:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Buffalo Grove, IL
Night
in Buffalo Grove on Saturday
Local time
11:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Bloomington, IL
161 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
9 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 9m 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.
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 110.9
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...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 288.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 92% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on major interstates. The longest continuous stretch without significant changes in road type is 162.3 miles on I 55. You'll transition to Veterans Memorial Tollway toward the end of your trip. Expect a consistent driving experience with frequent exits and entries typical of interstate travel.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 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 Effort9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 321.7 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 Buffalo Grove, IL, road signs point toward Peoria and Southwest Suburbs.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 9m. Total distance: 321.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 9m 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 Buffalo Grove, 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 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Buffalo Grove, IL before the return drive.
