Rail Splitter Rest Area - Northbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Bremen, IL to Cary, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 17m
Distance
364.9 mi
587 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$61
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 7m
★
6 AM
7h 17m
8 AM
7h 39m
10 AM
7h 25m
12 PM
7h 23m
3 PM
7h 26m
5 PM
7h 38m
8 PM
7h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bremen, IL
Sela Hatting
Cary, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Bremen, IL to Cary, IL is 364.9 miles and takes about 7h 17m via I 55 and Veterans Memorial Tollway, with a fuel budget near $57 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Illinois, offering a straightforward drive. Most of the route is on highways, making it an efficient option if you're looking to cover ground quickly. With only two planned stops and a substantial portion on the interstate, this is a solid choice for a single-day trip where the destination is the priority.
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
182.4 miles from Bremen, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 41m 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 |
| West Northwest Highway | 10.9 mi | 17m |
| North Illinois Street | 9.8 mi | 15m |
| Lehmen Drive | 7.8 mi | 8m |
| 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 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,681 veh/hr typical · worst 2,233
Quietest
2 AM
~156 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 103 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 Cary, 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
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
I 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward Kirchoff Road
Use the right lane.
22
Turn left onto Kirchoff Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Kirchoff Road
23
Turn right onto South Plum Grove Road
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
South Plum Grove Road
Use the right lane.
24
Turn left onto West Colfax Street
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
West Colfax Street
25
Continue on Sterling Avenue
446 ft
·
19 sec
·
Sterling Avenue
26
Turn left onto US 14
11 mi
·
17 min
·
West Northwest Highway
27
Turn right onto North 1st Street
0.2 mi
·
51 sec
·
North 1st Street
Use the right lane.
28
Turn right
42 ft
·
3 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 17m duration, departing Bremen, IL early in the morning, ideally before 8 AM, will allow you to reach Cary, IL with plenty of daylight to spare. Pacing your two stops will be easy; consider a mid-morning break after a couple of hours on I 55 and a final stop for fuel or a quick meal before hitting the surface roads. The longest stretch on I 55 is over 250 miles, so ensure you're well-rested before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $57 budget is an estimate, and prices can fluctuate.
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 182.4 miles from Bremen, IL, or about 3h 41m 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 182.4 miles or 3h 41m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cary, 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 364.9 miles and 7h 17m.
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
182 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 182.4 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rail Splitter Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Dixie Trucker's Home
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Homestead Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Coalfield Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Funks Grove Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Limestone Rest Area (Southbound)
0.1 mi from route
Limestone Rest Area (Northbound)
0.1 mi from route
Homestead Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Greater Chicago Truck Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.5 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.1 mi from route
Rest Area
1.7 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 70.5 and 346.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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 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...
6
346.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 46m in
|
IL 53
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.87 one way
$121.74 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
128 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $66.16 | $132.31 |
| premium | $5.26 | $75.55 | $151.10 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $88.77 | $177.54 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.35
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(19.2 mi)
$1.35
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
$61
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 127.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 109.5 | 1 | $38.31 | $17.52 |
| Efficient EV | 91.2 | 1 | $31.93 | $14.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 146 | 1 | $51.09 | $23.35 |
Gas CO2
128 kg
EV CO2
43 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.
Origin
Bremen, IL
Late night in Bremen on Saturday
Local time
4:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Cloudy
NW 12 to 21 mph
8% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 6:12AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 1:28AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Cary, IL
Late night in Cary on Saturday
Local time
4:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Scattered Rain Showers
NW 15 to 20 mph
39% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 6:12AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 1:28AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
80°F
Athens, IL
182 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
3 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 17m 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
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 151
View on nps.gov
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 327.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 79% of the 364.9 miles on interstates and tollways. You'll experience a long stretch of 253.5 miles on I 55, which means extended periods of cruising. The transition to surface roads occurs after this long interstate segment, introducing more frequent exits and local traffic. Expect to notice dense exit patterns as you approach your destination.
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?
8/10
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 70.5 miles in near I 55.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 364.9 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 70.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
825 ft
425 ft
Total Climb
752 ft
Total Descent
488 ft
Highest Point
825 ft
~364.9 mi in
Elevation Range
401 ft
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 Cary, 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 Cary, IL
Full guide →Founded 1833
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 17m. Total distance: 364.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 17m 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 $1.35 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.
Yes — we found about 32 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 Cary, 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. There are 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 70.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; 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.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. 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 Cary, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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