Origin
Bremen, IL
Late night in Bremen on Sunday
Local time
4:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bremen, IL to Carpentersville, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 10m
Distance
362.2 mi
583 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$55
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 59m
★
6 AM
7h 10m
8 AM
7h 32m
10 AM
7h 18m
12 PM
7h 16m
3 PM
7h 19m
5 PM
7h 31m
8 PM
7h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carpentersville, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Bremen to Carpentersville is 362.2 miles and takes about 7h 10m via I 55, IL 159, and Veterans Memorial Tollway, with a fuel budget near $57 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a route that is predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. It's a good option if you're looking for an efficient way to cover this distance without needing to break it up overnight.
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
181.1 miles from Bremen, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 253.5 mi | 4h 35m |
| IL 159 | 20.1 mi | 30m |
| Veterans Memorial Tollway | 19.2 mi | 24m |
| South State Street | 17.7 mi | 22m |
| North Illinois Street | 9.8 mi | 15m |
| Lehmen Drive | 7.8 mi | 8m |
| Jane Addams Memorial Tollway | 6.7 mi | 7m |
| IL 150 | 6.1 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 253.5 mi, about 4h 35m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,633 veh/hr typical · worst 2,039
Quietest
2 AM
~154 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Carpentersville, 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 right at fork onto I 55
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
112 mi
·
2 hr 3 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 269
Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 355 North: Northwest Suburbs
18
Merge onto I 355
19 mi
·
24 min
·
Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 290
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
I 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 1B
Toward IL 72, IL 58: Higgins Road, Woodfield Road, Golf Road
Use the right lane.
21
Turn left onto IL 72
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Higgins Road
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto North Meacham Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Meacham Road
Use the left lane.
23
Turn left
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 Toll West: Rockford
Use the left lane.
24
Merge onto I 90
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 59
Toward IL 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn right onto IL 59
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
New Sutton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Turn left onto IL 72
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
West Higgins Road
Use the left lane.
28
Turn right onto IL 25
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
South Kennedy Drive
29
Arrive at destination
IL 25
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7h 10m drive, consider leaving early in the morning to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area. With only 2 planned stops, you can be flexible with timing, but be sure to stretch your legs. The longest stretch without a major road change is 253.5 miles on I 55, so plan your most substantial break before or after this segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $57, and refueling options might be more spread out on the non-interstate portions.
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 181.1 miles from Bremen, IL, or about 3h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 253.5 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 80 miles or 1h 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 181.1 miles or 3h 40m 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 Carpentersville, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bremen, IL
This is one driving day of about 362.2 miles and 7h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bremen, 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 253.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
181 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 181.1 miles from Bremen, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 253.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 178.4 and 355.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
178.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 37m in
|
I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
207.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 9m in
|
I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
8
320.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 12m in
Take the exit toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 269
Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest...
8
345.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 45m in
Take the exit toward IL 72, IL 58: Higgins Road, Woodfield Road, Golf Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 1B
Toward IL 72, IL 58: Higgins Road, Woodfield Ro...
7
355.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 59m in
Take the exit toward IL 59
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 59
Toward IL 59
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.26 one way
$110.51 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
127 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.27 | $60.86 | $121.72 |
| premium | $4.81 | $68.53 | $137.07 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $77.05 | $154.09 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.82
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(19.2 mi)
$1.35
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(6.7 mi)
$0.47
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 108.7 | 1 | $38.03 | $17.39 |
| Efficient EV | 90.6 | 1 | $31.69 | $14.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 144.9 | 1 | $50.71 | $23.18 |
Gas CO2
127 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.
Destination
Carpentersville, IL
Late night in Carpentersville on Sunday
Local time
4:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
63°F
Springfield, IL
181 mi in
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
23 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 10m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 79% of the 362.2 miles on freeways. You'll encounter your longest stretch of continuous highway at 253.5 miles on I 55. After this, you'll transition to surface roads like IL 159 for the remaining distance. Expect a noticeable change in traffic density and exit frequency as you move from the interstate to state highways.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 253.5 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and IL 159. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 178.4 miles in near I 55.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 362.2 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 178.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 207.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 320.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Carpentersville, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City, Peoria and Southwest Suburbs.
Springfield
70.5 mi in
|
~1h 41m
|
via I 55
Kansas City
70.5 mi in
|
~1h 41m
|
via I 55
Peoria
207.8 mi in
|
~4h 9m
|
via I 55
Southwest Suburbs
320.2 mi in
|
~6h 12m
About the Cities
Starting in Bremen, IL
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Übersee-Museum Bremen — natural history and ethnographic museum in Bremen, Germany
- • Friedhofskapelle
- • Kaisen monument — Monument in Bremen
Arriving in Carpentersville, IL
Full guide →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 10m. Total distance: 362.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 10m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 253.5 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.82 in tolls one way, starting with Veterans Memorial Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Carpentersville, 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 178.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 207.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 320.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Carpentersville, 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 FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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