Quincy, IL to Chicago Ridge, IL is 302.2 miles and takes about 5h 44m via I 55, I 72, and Gardner Expressway, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region to the Midwest region. Expect a straightforward drive that's almost entirely on major highways, making it a practical choice for a single-day trip. If you're looking for a quick transit between these two points without much fuss, this route fits the bill.
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
151.1 miles from Quincy, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
171.3 mi
3h 8m
I 72
106.9 mi
1h 55m
Gardner Expressway
11.3 mi
19m
Tri-State Tollway
4.2 mi
5m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
2.8 mi
3m
West 95th Street
1.4 mi
3m
South Ridgeland Avenue
1.3 mi
2m
Mile-Long Bridge
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 171.3 mi, about 3h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Quincy, IL and Chicago Ridge, 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
121 mi·2 hr 15 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 277BToward I 294 South: IndianaUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 294
0.8 mi·57 sec·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 294
0.9 mi·1 min·Mile-Long Bridge
16
Continue on I 294
3.4 mi·4 min·Tri-State Tollway
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 17AToward US 12 East, US 20 East: 95th Street, 76th AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward US 12, US 20 East: 95th StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto US 12; US 20
1.4 mi·3 min·West 95th Street
20
Turn right onto South Ridgeland Avenue
1.3 mi·2 min·South Ridgeland Avenue
Use the right lane.
21
Arrive at destination
South Ridgeland Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 44m estimated drive time, leaving Quincy in the morning should allow you to reach Chicago Ridge before dark. The longest stretch without a major break is 171.3 miles on I 55, so plan for a fuel and rest stop around the halfway point. With a fuel cost estimated at $47, it's a budget-friendly trip. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility, but be aware that exiting I 55 means navigating more local roads as you approach your destination.
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 151.1 miles from Quincy, IL, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 171.3 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 66 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.1 miles or 2h 52m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chicago Ridge, 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 302.2 miles and 5h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 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 171.3 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 142.8 and 299.4 — 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
7
293.6 mi into trip|~5h 30m in
Take the exit toward I 294 South: Indiana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 277B
Toward I 294 South: Indiana
8
299.2 mi into trip|~5h 37m in
Take the exit toward US 12 East, US 20 East: 95th Street, 76th Avenue
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 17A
Toward US 12 East, US 20 East: 95th Street, 76t...
9
299.4 mi into trip|~5h 38m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 12, US 20 East: 95th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 12, US 20 East: 95th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.25 one way
$94.49 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg106 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$51.87
$103.75
premium
$4.89
$58.16
$116.31
diesel
$5.61
$66.72
$133.44
Estimated Tolls: $0.25
Tri-state Tollway
(4.2 mi)$0.25
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
$47
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
90.7
1
$31.73
$14.51
Efficient EV
75.6
0
$26.44
$12.09
EV Truck/SUV
120.9
1
$42.31
$19.34
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
35 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
5:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chicago Ridge, IL
Late night
in Chicago Ridge on Tuesday
Local time
5:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Springfield, IL
151 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
20 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 44m 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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 114.6
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 302.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is overwhelmingly highway, with 97% of the 302.2 miles on major roads like I 55 and I 72. You'll experience a substantial stretch of 171.3 miles on I 55, which means you'll be cruising through a good amount of rural and suburban Illinois. The transition to surface roads will likely occur near the end of your trip, closer to Chicago Ridge, where you'll notice a higher density of exits and local traffic.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 171.3 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 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 13 significant decision points across 302.2 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 293.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Quincy, IL to Chicago Ridge, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Peoria
172.2 mi in|~3h 14m|via I 55
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 44m. Total distance: 302.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 171.3 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.25 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state 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 Chicago Ridge, 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 293.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Chicago Ridge, IL before the return drive.
