Quincy, IL to South Elgin, IL is 282 miles and takes about 5h 36m via Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and IL 110, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest and offering a straightforward path between two points. It's primarily a highway drive, making it efficient for those looking to cover ground quickly. With a recommended one-day drive, you can easily complete this trip without needing an overnight stay, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
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
141 miles from Quincy, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
140.6 mi
2h 40m
IL 110
94.2 mi
1h 41m
East Lincoln Highway
16.6 mi
22m
North 4th Street
6 mi
10m
US 136
3.4 mi
6m
Bolcum Road
3.2 mi
5m
US 24
3.2 mi
4m
IL 31
2.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
— 140.6 mi, about 2h 40m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 2 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~862 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,082
Quietest
2 AM
~96 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 34 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 Elgin, 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
94 mi·1 hr 41 min·IL 110
Exit 4BToward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 94Toward DeKalb, Sycamore
22
Keep slight right at fork
165 ft·6 sec
Use the left / right lanes.
23
Turn straight onto Peace Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Peace Road
24
Turn right onto IL 38
17 mi·22 min·East Lincoln Highway
25
Turn left onto CR 81
2.3 mi·3 min·LaFox Road
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on CR 2
0.3 mi·31 sec·Burlington Road
27
Enter roundabout onto Bolcum Road
22 ft·0 sec·Bolcum Road
28
Continue on Bolcum Road
3.2 mi·5 min·Bolcum Road
29
Turn left onto CR 34
0.8 mi·1 min·Randall Road
30
Turn right onto CR 5
1.0 mi·1 min·Silver Glen Road
31
At end of road, turn left onto IL 31
2.9 mi·4 min·IL 31
32
Turn right onto West State Street
0.1 mi·11 sec·West State Street
33
Continue on State Street Bridge
367 ft·7 sec·State Street Bridge
34
Continue on East State Street
353 ft·9 sec·East State Street
35
Turn right onto South Center Street
39 ft·1 sec·South Center Street
36
Arrive at destination
South Center Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 36m drive, consider leaving early in the morning to avoid any potential afternoon traffic, especially as you get closer to the Chicago suburbs. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility with your timing for a single stop, perhaps around the halfway mark to refuel and stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without exits is over 140 miles. Planning your fuel stops strategically on the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway will ensure a smooth continuation of your drive.
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 141 miles from Quincy, IL, or about 2h 51m 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 62 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141 miles or 2h 51m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Elgin, 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 282 miles and 5h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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.
Final third
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
$10 to $20
Sterling, Illinois
Hours: 11 am–1 pm
+18155905472
The Speakeasy at La Bella Notte
5.0
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
Rock Falls, Illinois
Hours: 11:30 am–9:30 pm
+18157168559
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 120.2 and 253 — 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...
6
252.6 mi into trip|~4h 51m in
Take the exit toward DeKalb, Sycamore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 94
Toward DeKalb, Sycamore
6
253 mi into trip|~4h 52m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.89 one way
$93.77 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$51.07
$102.14
premium
$5.18
$57.54
$115.09
diesel
$5.35
$59.40
$118.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.6
1
$29.61
$13.54
Efficient EV
70.5
0
$24.68
$11.28
EV Truck/SUV
112.8
1
$39.48
$18.05
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 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 Jun 3, 2026
Origin
Quincy, IL
Evening
in Quincy on Wednesday
Local time
5:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
South Elgin, IL
Evening
in South Elgin on Wednesday
Local time
5:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
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 36m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on the highway, with an 87% highway share. The longest continuous stretch on the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway is 140.6 miles, so expect long periods of cruising. As you approach your destination, the route transitions to surface roads like East Lincoln Highway, bringing more frequent exits and local traffic. This means you'll notice a shift from open highway driving to navigating through more developed areas with more frequent intersections.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 282 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
908 ft568 ft
Total Climb
605 ft
Total Descent
466 ft
Highest Point
908 ft
~241.7 mi in
Elevation Range
341 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 Elgin, IL, road signs point toward Rock Island, Rock Falls, Dekalb and Sycamore.
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 36m. Total distance: 282 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). 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.
Yes — we found about 11 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 Elgin, 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 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 5.6 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 South Elgin, IL before the return drive.
