Rail Splitter Rest Area - Northbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Bremen, IL to El Paso, 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
4h 37m
Distance
231.8 mi
373 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 24m
★
6 AM
4h 37m
8 AM
5h 4m
10 AM
4h 47m
12 PM
4h 44m
3 PM
4h 48m
5 PM
5h 3m
8 PM
4h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
El Paso, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Bremen to El Paso is 231.8 miles and takes about 4h 37m via I 55, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region. Given its mostly highway profile, expect a straightforward drive for this one-day adventure. It's a practical route, ideal if you're looking for efficient travel between these two points. Consider it a solid option for getting from point A to point B without much fuss.
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
115.9 miles from Bremen, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 148.6 mi | 2h 40m |
| IL 159 | 20.1 mi | 30m |
| South State Street | 17.7 mi | 22m |
| US 51 | 15 mi | 16m |
| North Illinois Street | 9.8 mi | 15m |
| Lehmen Drive | 7.8 mi | 8m |
| IL 150 | 6.1 mi | 10m |
| Vandalia Street | 2.8 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 148.6 mi, about 2h 40m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,745 veh/hr typical · worst 2,160
Quietest
2 AM
~156 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.2×
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 El Paso, 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
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
16
Take the exit onto US 51
15 mi
·
16 min
·
US 51
Exit 164
Toward I 39 North: Rockford
Use the slight right lane.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward US 24: El Paso, Peoria
18
Turn right onto US 24
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn left onto South Elm Street
391 ft
·
19 sec
·
South Elm Street
20
Turn right onto West Front Street
466 ft
·
26 sec
·
West Front Street
21
Turn left onto North Central Street
327 ft
·
14 sec
·
North Central Street
22
Arrive at destination
North Central Street
Trip Plan
This route is manageable in a single day, so consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours. With a duration of under 5 hours, you'll likely only need one planned stop. The longest uninterrupted stretch is nearly 150 miles on I 55, so ensure you have fuel before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading onto I 55, as services might be spaced out.
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 115.9 miles from Bremen, IL, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 148.6 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 51 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.9 miles or 2h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near El Paso, 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 231.8 miles and 4h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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 148.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
116 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 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 115.9 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 148.6 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
Homestead Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 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
Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
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
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 135 decision points cluster between mile 52.5 and 215.3 — 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 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
6
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. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7
215.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 17m in
|
US 51
Take the exit onto US 51 toward I 39 North: Rockford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 164
Toward I 39 North: Rockford
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.36 one way
$70.73 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.27 | $38.95 | $77.90 |
| premium | $4.81 | $43.86 | $87.72 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $49.31 | $98.62 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.5 | 0 | $24.34 | $11.13 |
| Efficient EV | 58 | 0 | $20.28 | $9.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 92.7 | 1 | $32.45 | $14.84 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 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.
Origin
Bremen, IL
Afternoon in Bremen on Sunday
Local time
3:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Sunny
NE 6 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 10:19AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 10:19AM CDT until April 29 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
El Paso, IL
Afternoon in El Paso on Sunday
Local time
3:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Lebanon, IL
116 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
11 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
4h 37m 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
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 151.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 82% of your time on highways, which translates to a long stretch of 148.6 miles on I 55. After that, the route transitions to surface roads like IL 159 and South State Street for the remaining distance. Expect a significant amount of highway cruising, with exits becoming more frequent as you approach your destination.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 148.6 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 159. You will hit about 13 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 Effort
6/10
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 231.8 miles you will encounter 13 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 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 El Paso, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.
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
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 El Paso, IL
Full guide →El Paso, Illinois is a charming little town approximately two hours southwest of Chicago. It's in a perfect location for people in the Chicago metro area who want to take a day trip or for people across the state line to visit. It is a town that offers something many towns in the Midwest lack: unique character.
Top landmarks
- • El Paso Public Library — public library in El Paso, Illinois
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 4h 37m. Total distance: 231.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 148.6 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 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 El Paso, 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 20 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 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.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at El Paso, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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