Quincy, IL to Downers Grove, IL is 295.2 miles and takes about 5h 35m via I 72 and I 55, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, entirely within Illinois, connecting two points in the state. With 96% of the route on highways, it's a straightforward drive that should be manageable for a single day. Expect a fairly direct path with minimal detours, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
147.6 miles from Quincy, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
162.3 mi
2h 56m
I 72
106.9 mi
1h 55m
Gardner Expressway
11.3 mi
19m
Veterans Memorial Tollway
6.2 mi
7m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
2.8 mi
3m
East Ogden Avenue
2.2 mi
4m
North 3rd Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Broadway Street
0.2 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 Downers 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
6.2 mi·7 min·Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 20BToward US 34: Ogden AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 34
2.2 mi·4 min·East Ogden Avenue
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left
87 ft·8 sec
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right
330 ft·26 sec
20
Turn uturn onto Main Street
195 ft·13 sec·Main Street
21
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 35m estimated drive time, leaving Quincy, IL in the morning should allow you to reach Downers Grove, IL well before evening. The route has only one recommended stop, but with 162.3 miles possible on I-55, you might consider a brief break around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $46, and plan your refueling accordingly, especially if you're driving during off-peak hours. Since this is a one-day drive, you have flexibility to adjust your departure time based on traffic conditions.
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 147.6 miles from Quincy, IL, or about 2h 48m 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 65 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.6 miles or 2h 48m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Downers 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 295.2 miles and 5h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 142.8 and 295.2 — 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...
7
292.6 mi into trip|~5h 29m in
Take the exit toward US 34: Ogden Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 20B
Toward US 34: Ogden Avenue
7
295.2 mi into trip|~5h 35m in|Main Street
Turn uturn onto Main Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.15 one way
$92.30 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$50.67
$101.34
premium
$4.89
$56.81
$113.62
diesel
$5.61
$65.18
$130.35
Estimated Tolls: $0.43
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(6.2 mi)$0.43
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
$46
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.6
1
$31.00
$14.17
Efficient EV
73.8
0
$25.83
$11.81
EV Truck/SUV
118.1
1
$41.33
$18.89
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
35 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
Late night
in Quincy on Sunday
Local time
2:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Downers Grove, IL
Late night
in Downers Grove on Sunday
Local time
2:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
78°F
Springfield, IL
148 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
23 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 35m 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...
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
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 285
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 96% of the 295.2 miles on major roads like I-72 and I-55. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 162.3 miles, all on I-55. You'll notice a high density of exits and merging traffic as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area towards the end of your drive. The remaining 4% of the trip, approximately 11.8 miles, will be on surface roads as you enter and exit your destinations.
96% 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: 162.3 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 16 significant decision points across 295.2 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 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.
On the drive from Quincy, IL to Downers Grove, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Downers Grove is a village in Chicagoland. With a 2005 population of 49,000, Downers Grove has developed into a major Chicago suburb. It contains the headquarters of many major companies, including Sara Lee and Butterball, and has a bustling, trendy downtown.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 35m. Total distance: 295.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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 $0.43 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.
Yes — we found about 26 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 Downers 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. There are 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
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 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Downers Grove, IL before the return drive.
