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Trip from Quincy, IL to Frankfort, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 55m

Distance

245.2 mi

395 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 42m ★
6 AM
4h 56m
8 AM
5h 23m
10 AM
5h 5m
12 PM
5h 3m
3 PM
5h 7m
5 PM
5h 21m
8 PM
4h 48m

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

Downtown Quincy, IL, IL

Quincy, IL

Wikimedia Commons

village on border of Cook and Will Counties in Illinois, United States of America

Frankfort, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Quincy, IL to Frankfort, IL is 245.2 miles and takes about 4h 55m via Avenue of the Saints and I-64, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, traversing Illinois for its entirety. Expect a mixed drive that's efficient for getting you from point A to point B without significant detours. Given its manageable distance and duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day journey, allowing you to reach your destination with time to spare.

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

122.6 miles from Quincy, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Avenue of the Saints 102 mi 2h 2m
I 64 75.1 mi 1h 22m
Ken Gray Expressway 27.1 mi 29m
Gardner Expressway 11.3 mi 19m
Jack Buck Memorial Highway 7 mi 9m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway 5.9 mi 6m
Daniel Boone Expressway 5.7 mi 7m
West Main Street 2.5 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Avenue of the Saints — 102 mi, about 2h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Quincy, IL and Frankfort, 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

1.9 mi · 2 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
9

Take the exit onto IL 110

4.0 mi · 4 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
10

Continue on I 72; US 36; IL 110

0.9 mi · 59 sec · Mark Twain Memorial Bridge
11

Continue on I 72; US 36; MO 110

1.4 mi · 1 min · V.F.W. Memorial Highway
12

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Toward US 61: New London, Palmyra
13

Keep slight left at fork

277 ft · 9 sec
Toward US 61 South: New London
14

Turn slight left onto US 61

0.1 mi · 17 sec · McMasters Avenue
15

Continue on US 61

0.7 mi · 1 min · Avenue of the Saints
16

Continue on US 61

1.6 mi · 2 min · McMasters Avenue
17

Continue on US 61

101 mi · 2 hr 1 min · Avenue of the Saints
Use the right lane.
18

Continue on I 64; US 40

5.7 mi · 7 min · Daniel Boone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
19

Continue on I 64; US 40

7.0 mi · 9 min · Jack Buck Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Continue on I 55; I 64; US 40

0.4 mi · 37 sec · Congressman William L. Clay Sr. Bridge
Use the straight lane.
21

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55; I 64; US 40

2.3 mi · 3 min · I 55; I 64; US 40
Toward I 55 North, I 64 East, US 40 East: Chicago, Loiusville, Indianapolis Use the straight lane.
22

Keep slight right at fork onto I 64; IL 3

75 mi · 1 hr 22 min · I 64; IL 3
Exit 3 Toward I 64 East, IL 3 North: Louisville Use the slight right lane.
23

Keep slight right at fork onto I 57

27 mi · 29 min · Ken Gray Expressway
24

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Toward IL 149: West Frankfort, Zeigler
25

Enter roundabout onto IL 149

0.2 mi · 16 sec · West Main Street
26

Continue on IL 149

2.3 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
27

Turn left onto North Benton Road

0.1 mi · 36 sec · North Benton Road
28

Turn right onto East Saint Louis Street

98 ft · 4 sec · East Saint Louis Street
29

Arrive at destination

East Saint Louis Street

Trip Plan

For this 4h 55m drive, leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Frankfort, IL, without feeling rushed. With only one stop recommended, plan it around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 102-mile stretch on the Avenue of the Saints, as services might be more spaced out. Since this is a single-day trip covering 245.2 miles, you have the flexibility to depart later in the day if needed, but an earlier start is generally best for a relaxed arrival.

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 122.6 miles from Quincy, IL, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102 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 54 miles or 1h 13m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 122.6 miles or 2h 35m 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 5m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Frankfort, 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 245.2 miles and 4h 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 Avenue of the Saints for about 102 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown O'Fallon, MO, MO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

O'Fallon, MO

123 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

Bowling Green, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Chesterfield, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 122.6 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 Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 102 miles.

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 20.8 and 242.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
20.8 mi into trip | ~32m in

Take the exit toward US 61: New London, Palmyra

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

Toward US 61: New London, Palmyra
6
20.9 mi into trip | ~32m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 61 South: New London

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 61 South: New London
8
137.8 mi into trip | ~2h 55m in | I 55; I 64; US 40

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55; I 64; US 40 toward I 55 North, I 64 East, US 40 East: Chicago, Loiusville, Indianapolis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Toward I 55 North, I 64 East, US 40 East: Chica...
9
140.1 mi into trip | ~2h 58m in | I 64; IL 3

Keep slight right at fork onto I 64; IL 3 toward I 64 East, IL 3 North: Louisville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 3 Toward I 64 East, IL 3 North: Louisville
5
242.3 mi into trip | ~4h 50m in

Take the exit toward IL 149: West Frankfort, Zeigler

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

Toward IL 149: West Frankfort, Zeigler

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$38.33 one way

$76.67 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 86 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $42.09 $84.18
premium $4.89 $47.19 $94.37
diesel $5.61 $54.14 $108.27

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$38

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$63–$88

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 85.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 73.6 0 $25.75 $11.77
Efficient EV 61.3 0 $21.46 $9.81
EV Truck/SUV 98.1 1 $34.33 $15.69

Gas CO2

86 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

11:50 PM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Frankfort, IL

Night in Frankfort on Saturday

Local time

11:50 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

1 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

4h 55m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive offers a mixed experience, with 52% of it being highway driving. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Avenue of the Saints, which can provide a more engaging driving experience than pure interstate travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 102 miles on this same road. As you progress, the route transitions between these main arteries, offering a varied pace that keeps the drive from becoming monotonous. It's a practical route that balances efficiency with moments of less intense travel.

52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102 mi on Avenue of the Saints.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.8 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

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 245.2 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 20.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 137.8 miles (I 55; I 64; US 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Frankfort, IL, road signs point toward Palmyra, Loiusville and Indianapolis.

Palmyra

20.8 mi in | ~32m

Loiusville

137.8 mi in | ~2h 55m | via I 55; I 64; US 40

Indianapolis

137.8 mi in | ~2h 55m | via I 55; I 64; US 40

About the Cities

Arriving in Frankfort, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1879

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 55m. Total distance: 245.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 102 miles on Avenue of the Saints. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Frankfort, 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 20.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 137.8 miles (I 55; I 64; US 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Frankfort, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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