South Lawndale, IL to Quincy, IL is 306.1 miles and takes about 5h 50m via Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I-72, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region from start to finish. With most of your travel on highways, it's a straightforward drive designed for efficiency. You'll spend most of your time on interstates, making it a practical choice if you want to reach your destination with minimal fuss and a predictable travel time.
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
153 miles from South Lawndale, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 57m into the drive
.
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
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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 South Lawndale, IL and Quincy, IL.
1
Start on South Saint Louis Avenue
283 ft·24 sec·South Saint Louis Avenue
2
Turn left onto West 26th Street
0.6 mi·3 min·West 26th Street
3
Turn left onto South Pulaski Road
1.4 mi·2 min·South Pulaski Road
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 55 South
5
Merge onto I 55
1.2 mi·1 min·Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 55
0.3 mi·27 sec·Adlai E Stevenson Expressway
7
Continue on I 55
129 mi·2 hr 26 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
65 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, SpringfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36
93 mi·1 hr 39 min·I 72; US 36
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·51 sec
Toward I 172 North: Quincy
11
Continue on I 172; IL 110
2.2 mi·2 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward IL 57: Marblehead, Quincy
13
Turn left onto IL 57
12 mi·20 min·IL 57
14
Turn left onto IL 57
0.4 mi·43 sec·IL 57
15
Turn right
71 ft·1 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 50-minute duration and 306.1-mile distance, this is a very manageable one-day drive. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow ample time for the drive. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $47, you can plan your budget accordingly. The longest stretch on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway is nearly 130 miles, so consider stopping for fuel and a break before or after this segment. Keep an eye on your GPS for the transition from the Adlai Stevenson Expressway to I-72, as this is where the primary highway portion of your route begins.
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 153 miles from South Lawndale, IL, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.7 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 67 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153 miles or 2h 57m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Quincy, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving South Lawndale, 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 South Lawndale, IL
This is one driving day of about 306.1 miles and 5h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from South Lawndale, 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 Adlai Stevenson Expressway for about 128.7 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 290.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.7 mi into trip|~3m in|South Pulaski Road
Turn left onto South Pulaski Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
2.4 mi into trip|~7m in|I 55 / Stevenson Expressway
Merge onto I 55 / Stevenson Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
132.6 mi into trip|~2h 35m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
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 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
6
197.4 mi into trip|~3h 45m in|I 72; US 36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36 toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
5
290.4 mi into trip|~5h 25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 172 North: Quincy
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 172 North: Quincy
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.06 one way
$102.12 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$55.71
$111.43
premium
$5.25
$63.30
$126.61
diesel
$6.28
$75.63
$151.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.8
1
$32.14
$14.69
Efficient EV
76.5
0
$26.78
$12.24
EV Truck/SUV
122.4
1
$42.85
$19.59
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
South Lawndale, IL
Morning
in South Lawndale on Thursday
Local time
9:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Quincy, IL
Morning
in Quincy on Thursday
Local time
9:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Clear
SE 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
43°F
Athens, IL
153 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
2 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 50m 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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for 99% of this 306.1-mile trip. The Adlai Stevenson Expressway accounts for the longest continuous stretch at 128.7 miles, indicating a significant portion of your drive will involve consistent interstate cruising. Expect a dense network of exits and merges as you navigate through Illinois. The profile is mostly highway, so prepare for steady speeds and fewer opportunities for spontaneous stops on rural surface roads.
99% 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: 128.7 mi on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 72. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near South Pulaski Road.
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 306.1 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.7 miles (South Pulaski Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles (I 55 / Stevenson Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
765 ft484 ft
Total Climb
720 ft
Total Descent
745 ft
Highest Point
765 ft
~121 mi in
Elevation Range
281 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 South Lawndale, IL to Quincy, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield 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 5h 50m. Total distance: 306.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 128.7 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 32 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 Quincy, 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 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (South Pulaski Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles (I 55 / Stevenson Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.6 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 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Quincy, IL before the return drive.
