Bremen to Annawan is 280.7 miles and takes about 5h 50m via I 55, I 155, and US 150, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest road trip stays within Illinois, offering a straightforward journey with a high percentage of highway driving. It's a practical option if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two points without needing an overnight stop. The route is designed for steady progress, making it a good choice for a single-day drive.
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
140.3 miles from Bremen, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
111.7 mi
2h
I 155
32 mi
34m
US 150
20.6 mi
33m
IL 159
20.1 mi
30m
South State Street
17.7 mi
22m
US 34
16.2 mi
27m
I 74
15.9 mi
17m
I 474
14 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 111.7 mi, about 2h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bremen, IL and Annawan, IL.
1
Start on Chester Road
0.2 mi·34 sec·Chester Road
2
Turn slight right onto IL 150
6.1 mi·10 min·IL 150
3
Turn right onto IL 3
0.5 mi·32 sec·East Holmes Street
4
Continue on IL 3
7.8 mi·8 min·Lehmen Drive
5
Continue on IL 3
18 mi·22 min·South State Street
6
Continue on IL 159
20 mi·30 min·IL 159
7
Enter roundabout onto IL 159
177 ft·4 sec·North Illinois Street
8
Continue on IL 159
9.8 mi·15 min·North Illinois Street
9
Continue on IL 159
1.3 mi·1 min·South Morrison Avenue
10
Continue on IL 159
2.8 mi·4 min·Vandalia Street
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East
12
Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40
3.8 mi·4 min·I 55; I 70; US 40
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
108 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 155
32 mi·34 min·I 155
Exit 127Toward I 155 North: Peoria, Hartsburg
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
16
Merge onto I 74
1.0 mi·1 min·I 74
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 474
14 mi·14 min·I 474
Exit 99Toward I 474 West: Moline, Rock Island
18
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
19
Merge onto I 74
15 mi·15 min·I 74
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward Canton, Kewanee
21
Turn right
113 ft·4 sec
Toward Canton, Elmwood, Kewanee
22
Turn straight onto C-34
1.4 mi·1 min·North Bell School Road
23
Continue on US 150; IL 78
21 mi·33 min·US 150; IL 78
24
At end of road, turn right onto US 34; IL 78
16 mi·27 min·US 34; IL 78
25
Arrive at destination
IL 78
Trip Plan
With a 5h 50m estimated duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow ample time for any brief stops. The longest stretch without a major exit is over 111 miles on I 55, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before entering that segment. Given the $44 estimated fuel cost, it's a budget-friendly drive, but always check current gas prices. Planning for one stop is built into the estimate, so consider a midway point for a quick break.
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 140.3 miles from Bremen, IL, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.7 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 62 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.3 miles or 2h 56m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Annawan, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bremen, 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 Bremen, IL
This is one driving day of about 280.7 miles and 5h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Bremen, 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 I 55 for about 111.7 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 52.5 and 212.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
52.5 mi into trip|~1h 13m in|IL 159 / North Illinois Street
Enter roundabout onto IL 159 / North Illinois Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
70.5 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springf...
7
178.4 mi into trip|~3h 37m in|I 155
Keep slight left at fork onto I 155 toward I 155 North: Peoria, Hartsburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 127
Toward I 155 North: Peoria, Hartsburg
5
210.4 mi into trip|~4h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 74 West: Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
7
212.3 mi into trip|~4h 15m in|I 474
Keep slight left at fork onto I 474 toward I 474 West: Moline, Rock Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 99
Toward I 474 West: Moline, Rock Island
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.88 one way
$87.77 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$48.18
$96.37
premium
$4.89
$54.02
$108.04
diesel
$5.61
$61.98
$123.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.2
1
$29.47
$13.47
Efficient EV
70.2
0
$24.56
$11.23
EV Truck/SUV
112.3
1
$39.30
$17.96
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Bremen, IL
Late night
in Bremen on Sunday
Local time
5:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 14 mph93% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Annawan, IL
Late night
in Annawan on Sunday
Local time
5:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
2 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 50m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 145.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the most part, with 84% of this 280.7-mile journey on major interstates and highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 111.7 miles on I 55, so settle in for some sustained driving. While the primary roads are interstates, the inclusion of US 150 suggests you might experience a slight shift in scenery or pace as you transition. This route prioritizes getting you there efficiently over winding scenic byways.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.7 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 155. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 52.5 miles in near IL 159 / North Illinois Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 280.7 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 52.5 miles (IL 159 / North Illinois Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 70.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 178.4 miles (I 155): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
769 ft444 ft
Total Climb
623 ft
Total Descent
554 ft
Highest Point
769 ft
~260.6 mi in
Elevation Range
325 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bremen, IL and Annawan, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City, Hartsburg, Rock Island, Canton and Kewanee - among others.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 50m. Total distance: 280.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111.7 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 Annawan, 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 52.5 miles (IL 159 / North Illinois Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 70.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 178.4 miles (I 155): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Annawan, IL before the return drive.
