Quincy, IL to Westmont, IL is 293.9 miles and takes about 5h 33m via I 55, I 72, and Gardner Expressway, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive entirely within Illinois, connecting two points in the Midwest. With a 98% highway share, expect a consistent pace for most of the journey. It's a practical option for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
146.9 miles from Quincy, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
166.8 mi
3h 2m
I 72
106.9 mi
1h 55m
Gardner Expressway
11.3 mi
19m
Cass Avenue
4.5 mi
8m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
2.8 mi
3m
North 3rd Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Broadway Street
0.2 mi
1m
East 1083rd Lane
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 166.8 mi, about 3h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Quincy, IL and Westmont, 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
117 mi·2 hr 9 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 273BToward Cass Avenue NorthUse the right lane.
14
Turn straight onto Cass Avenue
4.5 mi·8 min·Cass Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn left onto West Burlington Avenue
78 ft·3 sec·West Burlington Avenue
Use the left lane.
16
Arrive at destination
West Burlington Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 33m duration, departing in the morning will easily allow you to complete this drive in one day. The longest stretch without a major change in road is 166.8 miles on I 55, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly. Consider stopping around the halfway point to break up the drive. With a fuel cost estimated at $46, it's a budget-friendly trip. Keep an eye on traffic as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area near Westmont.
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 146.9 miles from Quincy, IL, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 166.8 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 65 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.9 miles or 2h 47m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Westmont, 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 293.9 miles and 5h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 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 166.8 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 293.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|IL 104 / Broadway Street
Turn right onto IL 104 / Broadway Street
Navigation decision point
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
289.1 mi into trip|~5h 24m in
Take the exit toward Cass Avenue North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 273B
Toward Cass Avenue North
5
293.9 mi into trip|~5h 33m in|West Burlington Avenue
Turn left onto West Burlington Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.95 one way
$91.90 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$50.45
$100.90
premium
$4.89
$56.56
$113.12
diesel
$5.61
$64.89
$129.78
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: 102.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.2
1
$30.86
$14.11
Efficient EV
73.5
0
$25.72
$11.76
EV Truck/SUV
117.6
1
$41.15
$18.81
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Quincy, IL
Morning
in Quincy on Tuesday
Local time
7:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
37°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 3 to 7 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 19 at 8:18PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 19 at 8:17PM CDT until April 26 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
Westmont, IL
Morning
in Westmont on Tuesday
Local time
7:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
33°F
Mostly Clear then Widespread Frost
NNE 0 to 10 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 19 at 8:18PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 19 at 8:17PM CDT until April 26 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
71°F
Springfield, IL
147 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
4 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 33m 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.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 111.5
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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 293.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is a highway-focused drive, with 98% of the journey on interstates. You'll spend the majority of your time on I 55, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch at 166.8 miles. The drive is characterized by its efficiency, allowing for a steady pace. While primarily interstate, you will also utilize I 72 and the Gardner Expressway, contributing to the overall highway nature of the trip.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 166.8 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 72. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IL 104 / Broadway Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 293.9 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (IL 104 / Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
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 Westmont, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Peoria
172.2 mi in|~3h 14m|via I 55
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 33m. Total distance: 293.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 33m 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 166.8 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 Westmont, 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: near the start (IL 104 / Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Westmont, IL before the return drive.
