Quincy, IL to South Chicago, IL is 310.4 miles and takes about 5h 55m via I-55 and I-72, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest route stays within Illinois, taking you from west-central parts of the state toward the bustling urban edge of Chicago. Given its predominantly highway nature, it's a straightforward trip suitable for a single day of driving. The primary roads are I-55 and I-72, forming the backbone of this connection. Expect a practical and efficient transit between these two Illinois locations.
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
155.2 miles from Quincy, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
143.7 mi
2h 34m
I 72
106.9 mi
1h 55m
I 80
24.8 mi
30m
I 57
13.4 mi
18m
Gardner Expressway
11.3 mi
19m
East 87th Street
3.6 mi
6m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
2.8 mi
3m
Dan Ryan Expressway
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 143.7 mi, about 2h 34m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,689 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,115
Quietest
2 AM
~152 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 South Chicago, 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
94 mi·1 hr 40 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 250AToward I 80 East: IndianaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 80
25 mi·30 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·50 sec
Exit 151BToward I 57 North, I 294 North: Chicago, WisconsinUse the slight left / straight lanes.
16
Merge onto I 57
13 mi·18 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 94
0.8 mi·1 min·Dan Ryan Expressway
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 61BToward 87th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto South State Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·South State Street
20
Turn right onto East 87th Street
3.6 mi·6 min·East 87th Street
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn left onto South Escanaba Avenue
0.1 mi·34 sec·South Escanaba Avenue
22
Turn left onto East 86th Street
163 ft·9 sec·East 86th Street
23
Turn right
217 ft·15 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 55m drive, consider an early morning departure from Quincy to avoid any potential afternoon traffic closer to Chicago. With a total estimated fuel cost of $55, it's a budget-friendly trip. Break up the longest stretch of 143.7 miles on I-55 with a brief stop for fuel or a stretch. Since this is a one-day drive, you have flexibility; however, planning your route through the Chicago area in advance can save time. Keep an eye on your GPS as you approach South Chicago, as urban navigation can become more complex.
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 155.2 miles from Quincy, IL, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 143.7 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 68 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.2 miles or 2h 56m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Chicago, 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 310.4 miles and 5h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 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 143.7 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 142.8 and 306.2 — 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
7
266 mi into trip|~4h 55m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Indiana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 250A
Toward I 80 East: Indiana
8
291.6 mi into trip|~5h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 57 North, I 294 North: Chicago, Wisconsin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 151B
Toward I 57 North, I 294 North: Chicago, Wiscon...
7
306.2 mi into trip|~5h 47m in
Take the exit toward 87th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 61B
Toward 87th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.84 one way
$91.68 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$50.60
$101.21
premium
$4.72
$57.63
$115.26
diesel
$4.80
$58.61
$117.22
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.1
1
$32.59
$14.90
Efficient EV
77.6
0
$27.16
$12.42
EV Truck/SUV
124.2
1
$43.46
$19.87
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
36 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Quincy, IL
Night
in Quincy on Sunday
Local time
11:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 7 mph24% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:32PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
South Chicago, IL
Night
in South Chicago on Sunday
Local time
11:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Patchy Smoke
SW 10 mph58% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:32PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
85°F
Bloomington, IL
155 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
3 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 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 299.7
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely highway, with 98% of the 310.4 miles on major interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 143.7 miles on I-55, meaning extended periods of consistent cruising. With such a high highway share, expect frequent exits and entrances as you navigate toward Chicago. The transition to surface roads will only occur for a small portion of the total distance, marking the final approach to your destination.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 143.7 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 310.4 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 266 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
813 ft500 ft
Total Climb
681 ft
Total Descent
665 ft
Highest Point
813 ft
~177.4 mi in
Elevation Range
313 ft
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 South Chicago, IL, road signs point toward Peoria and Wisconsin.
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 5h 55m. Total distance: 310.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 143.7 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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 South Chicago, 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 27 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 266 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park and Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at South Chicago, IL before the return drive.
