Westchester, IL to Quincy, IL is 301.4 miles and takes about 5h 43m via Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I-72, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route primarily stays within Illinois, taking you from the Chicago suburbs southwest towards the Mississippi River. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable duration, it's a straightforward trip suitable for a single day. You'll spend most of your time on interstate highways, making for efficient travel between these two Midwest locations. Plan for a single day unless you prefer a more leisurely pace.
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
150.7 miles from Westchester, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 52m into the drive
.
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 Westchester, IL and Quincy, IL.
1
Start on this road
20 ft·2 sec·this road
2
Turn right
67 ft·10 sec
3
At end of road, turn right onto US 12; US 20; US 45
0.1 mi·29 sec·South Mannheim Road
4
Turn right onto Cermak Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Cermak Road
Use the right lane.
5
Turn left onto South Wolf Road
1.9 mi·3 min·South Wolf Road
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto US 34
0.8 mi·1 min·East Ogden Avenue
Use the right lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I 294 Toll South: Indiana
8
Merge onto I 294
2.1 mi·2 min·Tri-State Tollway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
1.2 mi·1 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 23Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 55
119 mi·2 hr 13 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
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
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·51 sec
Toward I 172 North: Quincy
16
Continue on I 172; IL 110
2.2 mi·2 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward IL 57: Marblehead, Quincy
18
Turn left onto IL 57
12 mi·20 min·IL 57
19
Turn left onto IL 57
0.4 mi·43 sec·IL 57
20
Turn right
71 ft·1 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour, 43-minute drive, consider departing Westchester in the morning. This will allow you to complete the 301.4-mile trip with ample daylight and avoid rush hour traffic leaving the Chicago area. With a fuel cost estimated at $46, you'll want to ensure your tank is full before you leave to minimize stops. The longest stretch without a major exit is over 100 miles, so plan your breaks accordingly. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, aiming for an early start is recommended for a smooth experience.
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 150.7 miles from Westchester, IL, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.4 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 66 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150.7 miles or 2h 52m 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 36m
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 Westchester, 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 Westchester, IL
This is one driving day of about 301.4 miles and 5h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Westchester, 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 119.4 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 0 and 127.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 12; US 20; US 45 / South Mannheim Road
At end of road, turn right onto US 12; US 20; US 45 / South Mannheim Road
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Cermak Road
Turn right onto Cermak Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
1.2 mi into trip|~2m in|South Wolf Road
Turn left onto South Wolf Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
8.1 mi into trip|~13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
8
127.9 mi into trip|~2h 27m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.51 one way
$89.02 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg106 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$49.14
$98.28
premium
$4.72
$55.96
$111.92
diesel
$4.80
$56.91
$113.82
Estimated Tolls: $0.19
Tri-state Tollway
(3.3 mi)$0.19
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
90.4
1
$31.65
$14.47
Efficient EV
75.4
0
$26.37
$12.06
EV Truck/SUV
120.6
1
$42.20
$19.29
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 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
Westchester, IL
Late night
in Westchester on Monday
Local time
1:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 10 mph59% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Quincy, IL
Late night
in Quincy on Monday
Local time
1:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 7 mph24% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
67°F
Athens, IL
151 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
1 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
5h 43m 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 187.1
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...
17 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 10.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is almost entirely highway driving, with 97% of the route utilizing major interstates. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 119.4 miles, experienced on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway. You'll notice frequent exits and merges as you navigate the interstate system for the majority of your drive. Surface roads will only become prevalent in the final miles as you approach Quincy.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 119.4 mi on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 72. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 12; US 20; US 45 / South Mannheim Road.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 301.4 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: near the start (US 12; US 20; US 45 / South Mannheim Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.2 miles (Cermak Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles (South Wolf Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
771 ft481 ft
Total Climb
537 ft
Total Descent
605 ft
Highest Point
771 ft
~129.2 mi in
Elevation Range
290 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 Westchester, 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 43m. Total distance: 301.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 119.4 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.19 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 29 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 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 12; US 20; US 45 / South Mannheim Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.2 miles (Cermak Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles (South Wolf Road): Lane positioning matters here.
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 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 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.
