How far is Quincy, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Quincy, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 311.7 miles (501.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 234.1 miles (376.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 04h 54m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Logan County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Quincy and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Quincy and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on the route
16 m · 2 sec
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2
Turn right onto Broadway Street
116 m · 36 sec · Broadway Street
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3
Continue on Broadway Street
923 ft · 25 sec · Broadway Street
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4
Turn left onto North 3rd Street
2348 ft · 53 sec · North 3rd Street
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5
Continue on Gardner Expressway
11.3 mi · 20 min · Gardner Expressway
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6
Continue on East 1083rd Lane
578 ft · 12 sec · East 1083rd Lane
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7
Take the ramp right
2526 ft · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
2.8 mi · 3 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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9
Merge slight right
106.9 mi · 1 hr 55 min
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10
Continue straight
20.5 mi · 22 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
120.8 mi · 2 hr 14 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
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21
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
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22
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
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23
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
-
24
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Quincy and Des Plaines.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 55 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
121 mi · 02h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Patchy Fog leaving Quincy and Showers And Thunderstorms near Des Plaines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Quincy to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 311.7 miles (501.6 km) and usually takes 04h 54m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Atlanta is a useful midpoint, sitting about 157.1 miles from Quincy and 154.5 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 234.1 miles (376.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 77.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $51.32 one way or $102.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog around Quincy and Showers And Thunderstorms near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Atlanta
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
City of Lincoln
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Atlanta.
Lincoln
Uptown Station
Peoria, Illinois
Springfield station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Quincy and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 234.14 mi (376.81 km).
#1 Quincy
County seat of Adams County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 39,589 |
| Coordinates | 39.9356000, -91.4098700 |
| Altitude | 173 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Des Plaines
The most populous city in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 58,179 |
| Coordinates | 42.0333600, -87.8834000 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
End: Henry Avenue (-87.883408, 42.033456)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 502 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $51.32 | $102.63 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $58.21 | $116.42 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $64.21 | $128.41 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $72.28 | $144.56 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Illinois · Oct 15, 2026