Trip from Winnetka, IL to Quincy, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 17m

Distance

326.1 mi

525 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$51

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

18 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

6h 5m ★

6 AM

6h 18m

8 AM

6h 43m

10 AM

6h 26m

12 PM

6h 24m

3 PM

6h 28m

5 PM

6h 42m

8 PM

6h 10m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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village in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Winnetka, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Quincy, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Winnetka, IL to Quincy, IL covers 326.1 miles and takes about 6h 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I 72, I 55 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 119.4 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $50.98 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

163.1 miles from Winnetka, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 13m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Adlai Stevenson Expressway	119.4 mi	2h 13m
I 72	92.9 mi	1h 39m
I 55	64.8 mi	1h 10m
Tri-State Tollway	24.3 mi	30m
IL 57	12.2 mi	21m
Willow Road	6.6 mi	12m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway	2.2 mi	2m
Locust Road	0.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Adlai Stevenson Expressway — 119.4 mi, about 2h 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Winnetka, IL and Quincy, IL.

Start on Pine Street

0.3 mi · 48 sec · Pine Street

Turn left onto Locust Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Locust Road

At end of road, turn right onto Willow Road

6.6 mi · 12 min · Willow Road

Use the right lane.

Turn left

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 294 Toll South: Indiana Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 294

18 mi · 23 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 23 Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec

Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 55

119 mi · 2 hr 13 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

65 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 55

Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 51 sec

Toward I 172 North: Quincy

Continue on I 172; IL 110

2.2 mi · 2 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward IL 57: Marblehead, Quincy

Turn left onto IL 57

12 mi · 20 min · IL 57

Turn left onto IL 57

0.4 mi · 43 sec · IL 57

Turn right

71 ft · 1 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 163.1 miles from Winnetka, IL, or about 3h 13m 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 72 miles or 1h 31m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 163.1 miles or 3h 13m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 5m

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 Winnetka, 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 Winnetka, IL

This is one driving day of about 326.1 miles and 6h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Winnetka, 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.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bloomington, IL

163 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

Joliet, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 72 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bloomington, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 163.1 miles from Winnetka, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 119.4 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Star 66 Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Springfield, Illinois

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 209.7

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12175230611

Visit website

Krekel's Custard & Hamburgers

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grandview, Illinois

2.5 mi

El Barrio Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Romeoville, Illinois

2.5 mi

Star 66 Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 209.7

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12175230611

Visit website

Krekel's Custard & Hamburgers

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 209.7

Grandview, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+12175254952

Visit website

El Barrio Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 46.6

Romeoville, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+18153721100

Visit website

Subway

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 46.6

Romeoville, Illinois

Hours: 7:30 am–9 pm

+18155243248

Visit website

Gio's Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 46.6

Romeoville, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+18159053987

Visit website

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Inexpensiv mile 209.7

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+12175445144

Visit website

Mimi's Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately mile 69.9

Wilmington, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+17798756475

Visit website

J. Alexander's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour Expensive mile 23.3

Oak Brook, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+16305738180

Visit website

Ten Drops Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 46.6

Plainfield, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+16306962137

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 326.1

Quincy, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12172143700

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 326.1

Quincy, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 326.1

Quincy, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 326.1

Quincy, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

2.1 mi from route

The Wine Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 69.9

Wilmington, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+18154769009

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 152.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.8 mi into trip | ~2m in | Willow Road

At end of road, turn right onto Willow Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

7.4 mi into trip | ~14m in

Turn left toward I 294 Toll South: Indiana

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 294 Toll South: Indiana

31 mi into trip | ~45m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

32.8 mi into trip | ~47m 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

152.7 mi into trip | ~3h 2m 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

$50.98 one way

$101.96 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 114 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$55.98	$111.95
premium	$4.89	$62.75	$125.51
diesel	$5.61	$72.00	$144.00

Estimated Tolls: $1.45

Tri-state Tollway (24.3 mi) $1.45

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

$51

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$77–$102

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 114.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

18 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

1800 Maple Self Park Garage - Tesla Supercharger

Evanston, IL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Abt Electronics - Tesla Supercharger

Glenview, IL

Tesla

10 DCFC

Willow Festival - Tesla Supercharger

Northbrook, IL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Westfield Old Orchard (Skokie, IL)

Skokie, IL

Electrify America

6 DCFC

Golf Mill Ford

Niles, IL

EVXY

6 DCFC

NorthWest Electric

Mount Prospect, IL

NOODOE

4 DCFC

Golf Mill Chevrolet

Niles, IL

EVXY

4 DCFC

Metropolitan Square

Des Plaines, IL

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

Tesla: 4 eVgo Network: 3 Electrify America: 2 Non-Networked: 2 EVXY: 2 ChargePoint Network: 1 EV Connect: 1 NOODOE: 1 Blink Network: 1 IN_CHARGE: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	97.8	1	$34.24	$15.65
Efficient EV	81.5	0	$28.53	$13.04
EV Truck/SUV	130.4	1	$45.65	$20.87

Gas CO2

114 kg

EV CO2

38 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 15, 2026

Origin

Winnetka, IL

Morning in Winnetka on Sunday

Local time

10:55 AM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Quincy, IL

Morning in Quincy on Sunday

Local time

10:55 AM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

52°F

Bloomington, IL

163 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

5 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

6h 17m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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 ~6 min detour Free near mile 213.7

View on nps.gov

Pullman National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

16 mi from route ~41 min detour Free near mile 33.7

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

326.1 mi in 6h 17m, mostly highway — 119.4 mi of that is on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.

89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

19 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 around 0.8 miles in near Willow Road.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 326.1 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 0.8 miles (Willow Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 31 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

Between Winnetka, IL and Quincy, IL, road signs point toward St. Louis and Springfield.

St. Louis

32.2 mi in | ~46m

Springfield

152.7 mi in | ~3h 2m | via I 55

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 17m. Total distance: 326.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 17m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

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 $1.45 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.

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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 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.

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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Explore more options from Winnetka, IL or browse trips ending in Quincy, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

Trip from Winnetka, IL to Quincy, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Star 66 Cafe

Star 66 Cafe

Krekel's Custard & Hamburgers

El Barrio Mexican Restaurant

Subway

Gio's Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

Mimi's Cafe

J. Alexander's Restaurant

Ten Drops Coffee

Tesla Destination Charger

Blink Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Rivian Waypoints

Rivian Adventure Network

Rail Splitter Rest Area - Southbound

Hinsdale Oasis

Rail Splitter Rest Area - Northbound

Dixie Trucker's Home

Funks Grove Rest Area

Limestone Rest Area (Southbound)

Limestone Rest Area (Northbound)

Love's Travel Stop

TA

Love's Travel Stop

Greater Chicago Truck Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Love's Travel Stop

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Pilot Travel Center

Petro Stopping Centers

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Road Ranger

Pilot Travel Center

Road Ranger

Fall Creek Rest Stop

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Rest Area

Road Ranger

The Wine Cafe

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Winnetka, IL

Quincy, IL

Same local time

5 degrees warmer at arrival

6h 17m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

Pullman National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?