Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Quincy, IL to Freeport, IL

Pin this trip

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

Drive Time

5h 7m

Distance

243 mi

391 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

Fair

4 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 54m ★
6 AM
5h 7m
8 AM
5h 34m
10 AM
5h 17m
12 PM
5h 14m
3 PM
5h 18m
5 PM
5h 33m
8 PM
4h 59m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Quincy, IL, IL

Quincy, IL

Wikimedia Commons

city and county seat and largest city of Stephenson County, Illinois, United States

Freeport, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Quincy, IL to Freeport, IL is 243 miles and takes about 5h 7m via Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and IL 110, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive primarily within Illinois, making it a convenient option if you're looking to stay within one state. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained expressways, which means efficient travel time. Given the relatively short duration and moderate distance, this route is best suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing 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

121.5 miles from Quincy, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway 140.6 mi 2h 40m
IL 110 25.7 mi 27m
Clay Street 10.9 mi 16m
IL 72 10 mi 14m
IL 26 9.8 mi 14m
US 52 7.6 mi 11m
Carroll Road 7.5 mi 10m
North 4th Street 6 mi 10m
Longest stretch: Chicago-Kansas City Expressway — 140.6 mi, about 2h 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

397 ft · 6 sec · Broadway Street
4

Merge onto US 24

6.0 mi · 10 min · North 4th Street
5

Turn right

510 ft · 8 sec
6

Merge onto US 24

3.2 mi · 4 min · US 24
7

Turn left

0.4 mi · 55 sec
8

Merge onto IL 110; IL 336

54 mi · 1 hr 2 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
9

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 55 sec
10

Turn right onto US 136

3.4 mi · 6 min · US 136
11

Turn left onto US 136

0.1 mi · 16 sec · North Johnson Street
12

Turn slight right onto US 136

0.2 mi · 30 sec · West Calhoun Street
13

Turn left onto US 67

1.6 mi · 2 min · North Lafayette Street
14

Continue on US 67

1.2 mi · 1 min · East 1200th Street
15

Continue on US 67; IL 110

3.4 mi · 4 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
16

Continue on US 67; IL 110

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Monmouth Street
17

Continue on US 67; IL 110

45 mi · 52 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
18

Keep slight right at fork onto IL 110

32 mi · 34 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
19

Keep slight left at fork onto IL 110

6.3 mi · 6 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Toward I 80 West: Des Moines
20

Take the exit onto IL 110

26 mi · 27 min · IL 110
Exit 4B Toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
21

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 50 sec
Toward IL 78: Morrison, Prophetstown
22

Turn left onto IL 78

5.5 mi · 8 min · Crosby Road
23

Continue on IL 78

0.4 mi · 37 sec · Portland Avenue
24

Continue on IL 78

0.1 mi · 18 sec · South Clinton Street
25

Turn left onto IL 78

0.1 mi · 11 sec · East Wall Street
26

Turn right onto IL 78

0.1 mi · 19 sec · South Cherry Street
27

Turn left onto US 30; IL 78

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Lincolnway
28

Continue on US 30; IL 78

0.2 mi · 24 sec · West Lincoln Way
29

Continue on US 30; IL 78

0.6 mi · 1 min · Lincoln Road
30

Turn right onto IL 78

7.5 mi · 10 min · Carroll Road
31

Continue on IL 78

11 mi · 16 min · Clay Street
32

Turn slight right

306 ft · 13 sec
33

Turn slight right onto US 52; IL 64

7.6 mi · 11 min · US 52; IL 64
34

Turn left onto IL 73

4.2 mi · 6 min · South Broad Street
35

Turn right onto IL 72

10 mi · 14 min · IL 72
36

Turn left onto IL 26

9.8 mi · 14 min · IL 26
37

Turn right onto IL 75

0.5 mi · 47 sec · West Douglas Street
38

Turn right onto US 20 Business

0.2 mi · 25 sec · North Galena Avenue
39

Arrive at destination

US 20 Business

Trip Plan

With a total drive time of just over 5 hours, this route is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart Quincy in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. You'll encounter one recommended stop point along the way, which is a good opportunity to refuel and stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 140.6 miles on the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, as services can be spaced out on highways. Since this is a relatively short, single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your preferences.

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 121.5 miles from Quincy, IL, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.6 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 53 miles or 1h 5m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 121.5 miles or 2h 30m 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 1m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Freeport, 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 243 miles and 5h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 Chicago-Kansas City Expressway for about 140.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Burgess, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Burgess, IL

122 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

Camp Point, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Knoxville, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 121.5 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 Chicago-Kansas City Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 140.6 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 · final third

I-80 Cafe - Colona, IL

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Colona, Illinois

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third · 1h 50m to go 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+13099670134

I-80 Cafe - Colona, IL

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Colona, Illinois

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+13099670134

Subway

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv

Mt Carroll, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+18152443739

Visit website

El Pueblo Mexican Grill

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Final third 4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Silvis, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–7:30 pm

+13097556391

Subway

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour Inexpensiv

Silvis, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+13097960996

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Quincy, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12172143700

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Quincy, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Quincy, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Quincy, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 25

5 decision points cluster between mile 120.2 and 190.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
120.2 mi into trip | ~2h 28m in | IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
5
152.1 mi into trip | ~3h 3m in | IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

Keep slight left at fork onto IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway toward I 80 West: Des Moines

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 80 West: Des Moines
6
158.4 mi into trip | ~3h 10m in | IL 110

Take the exit onto IL 110 toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls

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

Exit 4B Toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Fa...
5
184.1 mi into trip | ~3h 38m in

Take the exit toward IL 78: Morrison, Prophetstown

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

Toward IL 78: Morrison, Prophetstown
5
190.5 mi into trip | ~3h 48m in | IL 78 / East Wall Street

Turn left onto IL 78 / East Wall Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$37.99 one way

$75.98 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 85 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $41.71 $83.42
premium $4.89 $46.76 $93.53
diesel $5.61 $53.65 $107.30

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 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 72.9 0 $25.51 $11.66
Efficient EV 60.8 0 $21.26 $9.72
EV Truck/SUV 97.2 1 $34.02 $15.55

Gas CO2

85 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (67% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Quincy, IL

Late night in Quincy on Tuesday

Local time

3:07 AM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Freeport, IL

Late night in Freeport on Tuesday

Local time

3:07 AM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

66°F

Burgess, IL

122 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

5 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 7m 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 trip is largely a highway-focused drive, with 82% of the route utilizing major highways. You'll find yourself on the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway for a significant portion, including a continuous stretch of 140.6 miles, which allows for consistent speed and minimal traffic interruptions. The use of IL 110 and Clay Street indicates some transitions to state routes, but the overall character remains that of efficient, higher-speed travel. Expect a steady pace for most of the journey, making it a practical choice for covering ground.

82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 140.6 mi on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and IL 110. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 120.2 miles in near IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 243 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 120.2 miles (IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 152.1 miles (IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 158.4 miles (IL 110): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Freeport, IL, road signs point toward Rock Island, Rock Falls and Prophetstown.

Rock Island

120.2 mi in | ~2h 28m | via IL 110

Rock Falls

158.4 mi in | ~3h 10m | via IL 110

Prophetstown

184.1 mi in | ~3h 38m

About the Cities

Arriving in Freeport, IL

Full guide →

Freeport, Illinois is in the Illinois Driftless Area.

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 5h 7m. Total distance: 243 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 140.6 miles on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. 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 Freeport, 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 120.2 miles (IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 152.1 miles (IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 158.4 miles (IL 110): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Freeport, 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Freeport, IL

Calumet City, IL 136 mi · 2h 49m Aurora, IL 97.5 mi · 1h 55m Arlington Heights, IL 93.4 mi · 1h 51m Rockford, IL 27.8 mi · 37m

More from Quincy, IL

Waukegan, IL 341.6 mi · 6h 33m North Chicago, IL 338.8 mi · 6h 28m Evanston, IL 323.3 mi · 6h 17m Buffalo Grove, IL 321.7 mi · 6h 9m Arlington Heights, IL 316.7 mi · 6h 2m Palatine, IL 315.9 mi · 6h

More trips to Freeport, IL

Palatine, IL 91.7 mi Schaumburg, IL 88.5 mi
Escape planner: Quincy, IL Scenic drives in IL

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.