How far is Quincy, IL from Waterloo, IL?
The driving distance from Quincy, IL to Waterloo, IL is about 152.5 miles (245.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 129.5 miles (208.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 30m 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 03h 15m.
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.
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Quincy and Waterloo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Quincy and Waterloo.
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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
1.9 mi · 2 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
4 mi · 4 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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10
Continue on Mark Twain Memorial Bridge
1.4 km · 59 sec · Mark Twain Memorial Bridge
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11
Continue on V.F.W. Memorial Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · V.F.W. Memorial Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 61: New London, Palmyra
726 ft · 18 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on US 61 South: New London
84 m · 9 sec
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14
Turn slight left onto McMasters Avenue
636 ft · 18 sec · McMasters Avenue
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15
Continue on Avenue of the Saints
1.1 km · 1 min · Avenue of the Saints
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16
Continue on McMasters Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · McMasters Avenue
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17
Continue on Avenue of the Saints
98.7 mi · 1 hr 58 min · Avenue of the Saints
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
1829 ft · 39 sec
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19
Keep slight right to continue on I 270 South: Memphis
1691 ft · 31 sec
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20
Merge slight left
12.1 mi · 15 min
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21
Continue straight
5.9 mi · 7 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward IL 3 South: Columbia
1.4 km · 2 min
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23
Continue straight
9.5 mi · 11 min
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24
Turn left onto North Market Street
1.4 mi · 4 min · North Market Street
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25
Turn right onto West Mill Street
79 m · 11 sec · West Mill Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Mill Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Quincy and Waterloo.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Avenue of the Saints
Continue on Avenue of the Saints
98.7 mi · 01h 58m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Quincy and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waterloo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Quincy to Waterloo?
The road trip is about 152.5 miles (245.4 km) and usually takes 03h 15m 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?
Batchtown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76.2 miles from Quincy and 76.2 miles from Waterloo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 129.5 miles (208.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 23 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 10:30 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.29 one way or $40.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Quincy and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waterloo.
Stop Ideas Near Batchtown
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Batchtown.
Alton
Kirkwood
Gateway Transportation Center
Washington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Quincy and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 129.52 mi (208.45 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 Waterloo
City in Illinois
| Population | 10,536 |
| Coordinates | 38.3358900, -90.1498300 |
| Altitude | 216 |
| Country | United States |
End: Waterloo (-90.14983, 38.33589)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 245 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.29 | $40.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $22.88 | $45.76 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.04 | $50.08 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $28.54 | $57.07 |
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 · Apr 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.