Bremen to Buckeye is 223.8 miles and takes about 5h 11m via I 55 and IL 97/159, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Illinois, moving through the Midwest region. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the interstate, making it a straightforward trip. It's a solid option if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground without needing to plan for an overnight stay.
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
111.9 miles from Bremen, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
76.6 mi
1h 22m
IL 97
45.6 mi
1h 13m
IL 159
20.1 mi
30m
South State Street
17.7 mi
22m
North Illinois Street
9.8 mi
15m
Lehmen Drive
7.8 mi
8m
IL 78
6.8 mi
11m
IL 150
6.1 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 76.6 mi, about 1h 22m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,355 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,660
Quietest
2 AM
~167 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 34 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bremen, IL and Buckeye, 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
73 mi·1 hr 18 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
14
Take the exit onto I 55 Business
0.7 mi·1 min·I 55 Business
Toward I 55 Business North: Springfield
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·59 sec
Exit 92BToward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
16
Merge onto I 72; US 36
2.8 mi·3 min·I 72; US 36
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·54 sec
Toward IL 4: Springfield, Chatham
18
Keep slight right at fork
305 ft·9 sec
19
Merge onto IL 4
4.9 mi·7 min·South Veterans Parkway
20
Turn left onto IL 97
4.9 mi·7 min·West Jefferson Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Continue on IL 97
12 mi·17 min·IL 97
22
Continue on IL 97; IL 123
29 mi·46 min·IL 97; IL 123
23
Turn slight right onto IL 78; IL 97
6.8 mi·11 min·IL 78; IL 97
24
Turn left onto US 24; IL 97
3.6 mi·5 min·US 24; IL 97
25
Turn right onto IL 97; IL 100
1.4 mi·2 min·North Main Street
26
Turn slight left onto IL 97
5.4 mi·9 min·IL 97
27
Turn slight left
0.1 mi·25 sec
28
Turn left onto IL 95
5.3 mi·9 min·IL 95
29
Turn right onto County Road 2
3.5 mi·8 min·County Road 2
30
Arrive at destination
County Road 2
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 11m duration, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. The route has one planned stop, but with the highway driving, you might find you don't need a lengthy break. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before heading onto the surface roads after exiting I 55, as services can be more spread out. The estimated fuel cost is around $40.
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 111.9 miles from Bremen, IL, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.6 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 49 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.9 miles or 2h 25m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buckeye, 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 223.8 miles and 5h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 76.6 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 52.5 and 147.2 — 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
4
66.3 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Take the ramp toward I 55 North, I 70 East
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East
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
144 mi into trip|~3h in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 92B
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
5
147.2 mi into trip|~3h 4m in
Take the exit toward IL 4: Springfield, Chatham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IL 4: Springfield, Chatham
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.05 one way
$66.10 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$36.49
$72.97
premium
$4.72
$41.55
$83.11
diesel
$4.80
$42.26
$84.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.1
0
$23.50
$10.74
Efficient EV
56
0
$19.58
$8.95
EV Truck/SUV
89.5
1
$31.33
$14.32
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Bremen, IL
Late night
in Bremen on Monday
Local time
3:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 7 mph27% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 12:23PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Buckeye, IL
Late night
in Buckeye on Monday
Local time
3:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 8 mph27% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 12:23PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 11m 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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 146.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 77% of this 223.8-mile drive is on highways, primarily I 55. You'll encounter a stretch of 66.6 miles on I 55 without needing to exit. The route transitions to surface roads, IL 97 and IL 159, for the remaining mileage. Expect a more rural cruising feel as you move away from the interstate.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.6 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and IL 97. You will hit about 15 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 223.8 miles you will encounter 15 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 66.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
642 ft415 ft
Total Climb
324 ft
Total Descent
341 ft
Highest Point
642 ft
~111.9 mi in
Elevation Range
227 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 Buckeye, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Chatham.
Springfield
70.5 mi in|~1h 41m|via I 55
Kansas City
70.5 mi in|~1h 41m|via I 55
Chatham
147.2 mi in|~3h 4m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Grab-a-Java
Cafe
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Springfield, IL
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-18:00; Sa 06:30-18:00; Su 07...
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 11m. Total distance: 223.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76.6 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Buckeye, 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. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 52.5 miles (IL 159 / North Illinois Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 66.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.5 miles (I 55): 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 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Buckeye, IL before the return drive.
