Origin
Quincy, IL
Late night in Quincy on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Quincy, IL to Springfield, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 16m
Distance
110.4 mi
178 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 7m
★
6 AM
2h 16m
8 AM
2h 35m
10 AM
2h 23m
12 PM
2h 21m
3 PM
2h 24m
5 PM
2h 34m
8 PM
2h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Quincy, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Springfield, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 110.4-mile drive from Quincy, IL to Springfield, IL is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 16 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-72, the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, and Gardner Expressway, this route is heavily highway-focused, with 93% of the journey on interstates. It's a perfect candidate for a day trip, so you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. With an estimated fuel cost of $17, it's an economical option for exploring the Midwest. The journey is designed for efficiency, getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.2 miles from Quincy, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 72 | 86.5 mi | 1h 32m |
| Gardner Expressway | 11.3 mi | 19m |
| Chicago-Kansas City Expressway | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| Wabash Avenue | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| West Washington Street | 2.3 mi | 6m |
| Veterans Parkway | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| West Monroe Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| North 3rd Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 72
— 86.5 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Quincy, IL and Springfield, 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
86 mi
·
1 hr 32 min
·
I 72; US 36
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Toward Springfield, Loami
11
Turn left onto Old Route 54
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Old Route 54
12
Continue on Wabash Avenue
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Wabash Avenue
Use the left lane.
13
Turn left onto IL 4
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Veterans Parkway
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
15
Turn straight onto West Monroe Street
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
West Monroe Street
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn left onto Chatham Road
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Chatham Road
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto West Washington Street
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
West Washington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
At end of road, turn left onto North Lewis Street
83 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Lewis Street
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto West Washington Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
West Washington Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
20
Arrive at destination
East Washington Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2-hour and 16-minute duration, this trip is ideal for a same-day excursion. You can leave Quincy at your leisure, as there are no designated stops requiring significant time. Plan for one fuel stop if needed, especially before embarking on the 86.5-mile stretch on I-72, to ensure a smooth journey to Springfield. The $17 fuel cost is an estimate, so checking current prices is always a good idea. You'll find plenty of opportunities to pull over for breaks along the interstate system.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 55.2 miles from Quincy, IL, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.5 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 24 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.2 miles or 1h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springfield, 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 110.4 miles and 2h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Quincy, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 72 for about 86.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
55 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 55.2 miles from Quincy, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 72 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.5 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 155 decision points cluster between mile 101.9 and 109.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
101.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
Take the exit toward Springfield, Loami
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Springfield, Loami
5
108 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m in
|
Chatham Road
Turn left onto Chatham Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
108.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
|
West Washington Street
Turn right onto West Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
109.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m in
|
North Lewis Street
At end of road, turn left onto North Lewis Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
109.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m in
|
West Washington Street
Turn right onto West Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.26 one way
$34.52 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $18.95 | $37.90 |
| premium | $4.89 | $21.25 | $42.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.37 | $48.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.1 | 0 | $11.59 | $5.30 |
| Efficient EV | 27.6 | 0 | $9.66 | $4.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.2 | 0 | $15.46 | $7.07 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Springfield, IL
Late night in Springfield on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Bedford, IL
55 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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 16m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
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...
0 mi from route
Free
near mile 110.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 110.4-mile journey, with 93% of the drive on interstates. The main arteries, including I-72, will keep you moving at a good pace. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 86.5 miles on I-72, offering a consistent driving experience. While predominantly highway, the route's character is about efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. It's a route designed to cover ground smoothly, allowing you to focus on reaching your destination.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.5 mi on I 72.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 72 and Gardner Expressway. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 101.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 110.4 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 101.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108 miles (Chatham Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 108.1 miles (West Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Springfield, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Loami along the way.
Loami
101.9 mi in
|
~1h 58m
About the Cities
Arriving in Springfield, IL
Full guide →Springfield is a city in the center of the state of Illinois. It is the state's capital — not Chicago — and the county seat of Sangamon County. Springfield is best known for its most famous resident, Abraham Lincoln, and there are several historic sites that are dedicated to him.
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 2h 16m. Total distance: 110.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 86.5 miles on I 72. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Springfield, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 101.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108 miles (Chatham Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 108.1 miles (West Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Springfield, IL before heading back.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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