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Trip from Blackhawk, IL to Bremen, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 18m

Distance

360.7 mi

581 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$56

one way

EV Charging

Fair

3 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
7h 7m ★
6 AM
7h 18m
8 AM
7h 39m
10 AM
7h 25m
12 PM
7h 23m
3 PM
7h 27m
5 PM
7h 38m
8 PM
7h 12m

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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Downtown Blackhawk, IL, IL

Blackhawk, IL

Derek Keats

Trip Overview

Embark on a 360.7-mile journey from Blackhawk, IL, to Bremen, IL, that's planned for a solid 7 hours and 18 minutes of driving. This trip is focused heavily on highways, with 77% of the route utilizing major interstates like I 55 and I 155, making it a straightforward, though long, single-day adventure. With an estimated fuel cost of $56 and a plan for 2 stops, you can manage this drive comfortably within a day. The Midwest scenery will accompany you throughout this mostly highway-focused experience, making it a practical choice for efficient travel between these two Illinois points.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

180.4 miles from Blackhawk, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 38m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 111.9 mi 2h 1m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway 72.3 mi 1h 17m
I 155 31.8 mi 34m
Viaduct Road 23.7 mi 35m
IL 3 23.3 mi 28m
Waller Road 14.9 mi 22m
I 474 13.8 mi 14m
North Illinois Street 9.8 mi 15m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 111.9 mi, about 2h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Blackhawk, IL and Bremen, IL.

1

Start on Blackhawk Trail

336 ft · 16 sec · Blackhawk Trail
2

At end of road, turn right onto Army Depot Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Army Depot Road
3

Turn right onto IL 84

8.9 mi · 14 min · IL 84
4

Turn right onto IL 84

24 mi · 35 min · Viaduct Road
5

Continue on IL 84

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
6

Continue on IL 84

15 mi · 22 min · Waller Road
7

Continue on IL 84

2.0 mi · 3 min · 2nd Avenue
8

Turn left

0.5 mi · 1 min
9

Merge onto I 80

9.5 mi · 10 min · I 80
10

Keep slight left at fork onto IL 110

72 mi · 1 hr 17 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
11

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min
Toward I 474 East: Indianapolis
12

Merge onto I 474

14 mi · 14 min · I 474
13

Merge onto I 74

1.4 mi · 1 min · I 74
14

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 155 South: Lincoln
15

Continue on I 155

32 mi · 34 min · I 155
16

Merge onto I 55

34 mi · 37 min · I 55
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

78 mi · 1 hr 23 min · I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 47 sec
Exit 15A Toward IL 159 South: Collinsville
19

Continue on IL 159

3.0 mi · 4 min · Vandalia Street
20

Continue on IL 159

1.3 mi · 1 min · South Morrison Avenue
21

Continue on IL 159

9.8 mi · 15 min · North Illinois Street
22

Enter roundabout onto IL 159

181 ft · 4 sec · South Illinois Street
23

Continue on IL 159

8.3 mi · 12 min · South Illinois Street
24

Continue on IL 159

6.1 mi · 9 min · State Route 159
25

Continue on IL 156; IL 159

0.2 mi · 19 sec · North Main Street
26

Continue on IL 159

0.2 mi · 13 sec · N Main St
27

Continue on IL 159

8.0 mi · 11 min · Main Street
28

Continue on IL 3

23 mi · 28 min · IL 3
29

Turn left onto IL 150

6.1 mi · 10 min · State Street
30

Turn slight left onto Chester Road

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Chester Road
31

Arrive at destination

Chester Road

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 7 hour and 18 minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Blackhawk, IL, to beat potential traffic, especially if you encounter any congestion around Chicago. With 2 planned stops, you can break up the 360.7 miles effectively; perhaps one around the halfway point and another closer to Bremen. The longest stretch without a major exit is over 111 miles on I 55, so ensure your fuel tank is adequately filled before entering this segment. Keep an eye on your fuel cost estimate of $56 as you travel through Illinois.

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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 180.4 miles from Blackhawk, IL, or about 3h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.9 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 79 miles or 1h 48m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 180.4 miles or 3h 38m 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 52m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bremen, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Blackhawk, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Blackhawk, IL

This is one driving day of about 360.7 miles and 7h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Blackhawk, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 111.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Carlinville, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Carlinville, IL

180 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

Knoxville, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bloomington, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 180.4 miles from Blackhawk, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.9 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

Cancun

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Sherman, Illinois

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 206.1

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12174963221

Visit website

Candlelight Inn Restaurant - Clinton Iowa

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Clinton, Iowa

2.3 mi

Star 66 Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Springfield, Illinois

3 mi

Cancun

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 206.1

Sherman, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12174963221

Visit website

Candlelight Inn Restaurant - Clinton Iowa

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 25.8

Clinton, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15632433200

Visit website

Taco Bell

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 257.7

Litchfield, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–3 pm

+12173245855

Visit website

Star 66 Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 206.1

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12175230611

Visit website

El Quetzalito Mexican Restaurant

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 231.9

Divernon, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12176280000

Visit website

Valley Country Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 51.5

Bettendorf, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15633595634

Visit website

Krekel's Custard & Hamburgers

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 206.1

Grandview, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+12175254952

Visit website

Wasabi Sushi Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 283.4

Edwardsville, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+16186559880

Visit website

InCharge Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 154.6

Morton, Illinois

+13092913039

Visit website

Chevrolet Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 154.6

Morton, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18003239935

Visit website

Universal Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 180.4

Lincoln, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18663502738

Visit website

The Logger House

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 51.5

Hampton, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–1 pm

+13097553077

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 0.1 and 308.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Army Depot Road

At end of road, turn right onto Army Depot Road

Navigation decision point

5
182 mi into trip | ~3h 39m in | I 55

Merge onto I 55

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
216.1 mi into trip | ~4h 17m in | I 55

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
5
294 mi into trip | ~5h 41m in

Take the exit toward IL 159 South: Collinsville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 15A Toward IL 159 South: Collinsville
5
308.2 mi into trip | ~6h 4m in | IL 159 / South Illinois Street

Enter roundabout onto IL 159 / South Illinois Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$56.39 one way

$112.78 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 126 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $61.92 $123.83
premium $4.89 $69.41 $138.83
diesel $5.61 $79.64 $159.28

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$56

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$81–$106

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 126.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 108.2 1 $37.87 $17.31
Efficient EV 90.2 1 $31.56 $14.43
EV Truck/SUV 144.3 1 $50.50 $23.08

Gas CO2

126 kg

EV CO2

42 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 16, 2026

Origin

Blackhawk, IL

Evening in Blackhawk on Saturday

Local time

8:31 PM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bremen, IL

Evening in Bremen on Saturday

Local time

8:31 PM

CDT

Current temp

80°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 8 mph 32% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 12:33PM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 16 at 12:29PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL

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

10 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

7h 18m 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

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...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 211.5
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 360.7-mile trip, with 77% of the route on major interstates like I 55, also known as the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, and I 155. The longest stretch you'll encounter without a significant break is 111.9 miles on I 55, so plan accordingly for fuel and rest. This route is designed for steady progress, offering a consistent driving experience primarily on well-maintained expressways. While not overly technical, the long stretches of highway demand your attention and a good pace to complete the 7-hour journey.

77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.9 mi on I 55.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Army Depot Road.

Driving Effort 7/10

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 360.7 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 0.1 miles (Army Depot Road): Navigation decision point; at 182 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 216.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Arriving in Bremen, IL

Full guide →

Top landmarks

  • • Übersee-Museum Bremen — natural history and ethnographic museum in Bremen, Germany
  • • Friedhofskapelle
  • • Kaisen monument — Monument in Bremen

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 18m. Total distance: 360.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 18m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 111.9 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Bremen, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Army Depot Road): Navigation decision point; at 182 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 216.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bremen, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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