Quincy, IL to Lincolnwood, IL is 316.6 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. Given its mostly highway profile and single-day recommendation, expect a straightforward drive focused on covering distance efficiently. It's a practical option if you need to get from point A to point B without extensive detours.
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
158.3 miles from Quincy, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
180.2 mi
3h 20m
I 72
106.9 mi
1h 55m
Gardner Expressway
11.3 mi
19m
South Pulaski Road
6.9 mi
13m
North Pulaski Road
5.1 mi
10m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
2.8 mi
3m
Stevenson Expressway
1.1 mi
1m
North 3rd Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 180.2 mi, about 3h 20m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,743 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,333
Quietest
2 AM
~157 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Quincy, IL and Lincolnwood, 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
130 mi·2 hr 27 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 55
1.1 mi·1 min·Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 287Toward Pulaski RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Little VillageUse the left lane.
16
Turn straight onto South Pulaski Road
6.9 mi·13 min·South Pulaski Road
17
At end of road, turn right onto West Belden Avenue
170 ft·10 sec·West Belden Avenue
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left onto North Pulaski Road
5.1 mi·10 min·North Pulaski Road
19
Continue on Crawford Avenue
0.4 mi·47 sec·Crawford Avenue
20
Turn left onto US 41
514 ft·12 sec·Lincoln Avenue
21
Turn left onto West Pratt Avenue
11 ft·0 sec·West Pratt Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Arrive at destination
West Pratt Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Quincy, IL, to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can plan for a single refueling and stretch break. The $50 fuel cost is an estimate, so keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the 180.2-mile stretch on I 55. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility to depart when convenient, but arriving in Lincolnwood with ample daylight will make navigating the final highway approach easier.
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 158.3 miles from Quincy, IL, or about 2h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 180.2 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 70 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.3 miles or 2h 59m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lincolnwood, 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 316.6 miles and 6h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 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 180.2 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 310.8 — 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
303.7 mi into trip|~5h 43m in
Take the exit toward Pulaski Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 287
Toward Pulaski Road
8
303.9 mi into trip|~5h 44m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Little Village
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward Little Village
7
310.8 mi into trip|~5h 58m in|West Belden Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto West Belden Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.09 one way
$98.17 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$53.82
$107.64
premium
$4.93
$61.43
$122.85
diesel
$5.60
$69.79
$139.58
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95
1
$33.24
$15.20
Efficient EV
79.2
0
$27.70
$12.66
EV Truck/SUV
126.6
1
$44.32
$20.26
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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 Sep 2, 2026
Origin
Quincy, IL
Late night
in Quincy on Saturday
Local time
12:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Clear
S 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 2 at 1:20AM CDT until September 3 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 2 at 1:20AM CDT until September 3 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Lincolnwood, IL
Late night
in Lincolnwood on Saturday
Local time
12:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 2 at 1:20AM CDT until September 3 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 2 at 1:20AM CDT until September 3 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
91°F
Springfield, IL
158 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 96% of this 316.6-mile route on highways, expect continuous cruising for most of the drive. The longest stretch without a significant break is 180.2 miles on I 55. You'll transition to Gardner Expressway as you approach your destination, which might present more local traffic and exits. The vast majority of this drive is on high-speed interstates.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 180.2 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 316.6 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 303.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
874 ft502 ft
Total Climb
577 ft
Total Descent
538 ft
Highest Point
874 ft
~180.9 mi in
Elevation Range
373 ft
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 Lincolnwood, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Quincy is a small city of 40,000 in Adams County, Western Illinois. It is near the westernmost point in Illinois on the Mississippi River, and is home to some of the most impressive historic architecture in the region.
Top landmarks
•Downtown Quincy Historic District — historic district in Illinois, United States
•South Side German Historic District — historic district in Illinois, United States
•Quincy East End Historic District — historic district in Illinois, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 9m. Total distance: 316.6 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 180.2 miles on I 55. 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 Lincolnwood, 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 303.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Lincolnwood, IL before the return drive.
