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Trip from Bremen, IL to Highland Park, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 12m

Distance

364 mi

586 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$57

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
7h 2m ★
6 AM
7h 13m
8 AM
7h 35m
10 AM
7h 20m
12 PM
7h 18m
3 PM
7h 22m
5 PM
7h 33m
8 PM
7h 6m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Lake County, Illinois, United States

Highland Park, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 364-mile journey from Bremen, Illinois, to Highland Park, Illinois, is designed as a single-day trip, estimated to take around 7 hours and 12 minutes. You'll primarily navigate via I-55 and the Tri-State Tollway, with a portion on IL-159, making it a highway-focused drive across the Midwest. With a projected fuel cost of $57 and only two recommended stops, it's a straightforward route for those looking to cover ground efficiently. While the bulk of the drive is on major interstates, it offers a practical way to travel between these two Illinois locations.

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 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 55 261.9 mi 4h 46m
Tri-State Tollway 28.7 mi 35m
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 150 6.1 mi 10m
Deerfield Road 3.6 mi 6m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 261.9 mi, about 4h 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bremen, IL and Highland Park, 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

121 mi · 2 hr 14 min · I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

1.6 mi · 3 min
Exit 277A Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin Use the right lane.
17

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
18

Merge onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

24 mi · 30 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Exit 24 Toward Deerfield Road Use the slight right lane.
21

Turn straight onto Deerfield Road

3.6 mi · 6 min · Deerfield Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Continue on Central Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · Central Avenue
23

Turn right onto Green Bay Road

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Green Bay Road
24

Arrive at destination

Green Bay Road

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 7-hour drive, consider departing early in the morning to avoid peak traffic, especially as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area. With only two stops suggested, plan your breaks strategically to manage fatigue during the 364-mile journey. The $57 fuel cost is a good estimate, but keep an eye on your gauge, particularly during the longest 261.9-mile stretch on I-55 where services might be more spread out. Being on major tollways means you should be prepared for potential tolls in addition to fuel expenses.

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 miles from Bremen, IL, or about 3h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 261.9 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 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 56m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Highland Park, 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 miles and 7h 12m.

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 261.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Macon County, Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Decatur, IL

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

Edwardsville, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bloomington, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 182 miles from Bremen, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 261.9 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Cancun

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Sherman, Illinois

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 156

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12174963221

Visit website

Whistle Stop Cafe Diamond IL

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Diamond, Illinois

1.4 mi

My Happy Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Diamond, Illinois

1.7 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Ten Drops Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Plainfield, Illinois

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 312

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+16306962137

Visit website

Emmys Cafe & Gaming

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Braidwood, Illinois

1.6 mi

Emmy's Cafe & Gaming

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Coal City, Illinois

2.4 mi

Cancun

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 156

Sherman, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12174963221

Visit website

Whistle Stop Cafe Diamond IL

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 286

Diamond, Illinois

Hours: 5 am–9 pm

+18156342360

Visit website

Taco Bell

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 104

Litchfield, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–3 pm

+12173245855

Visit website

My Happy Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 286

Diamond, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+18155185576

Visit website

Route 66 Polk-A-Dot Drive In

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 286

Braidwood, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+18154583377

Visit website

El Quetzalito Mexican Restaurant

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 130

Divernon, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12176280000

Visit website

Taste of Jerusalem

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 312

Plainfield, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–7:30 pm

+18157826500

Visit website

J. Alexander's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour Expensive mile 338

Oak Brook, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+16305738180

Visit website

Ten Drops Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 312

Plainfield, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+16306962137

Visit website

Emmys Cafe & Gaming

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 286

Braidwood, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+18153905133

Emmy's Cafe & Gaming

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 286

Coal City, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+18155185375

Kafé De Kasa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 312

Crest Hill, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18156303694

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 182

Lincoln, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12177354444

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 208

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+13096641222

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 208

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 208

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 208

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–12 pm

Visit website

InCharge Energy Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 182

Lincoln, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18333994638

Visit website

State Farm Parking Garage

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 208

Bloomington, Illinois

EV Connect Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 208

Bloomington, Illinois

+18668167584

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 70.5 and 359.2 — 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
7
328.6 mi into trip | ~6h 23m in

Take the exit toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Exit 277A Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
7
359.2 mi into trip | ~7h 3m in

Take the exit toward Deerfield Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 24 Toward Deerfield Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$56.91 one way

$113.81 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 127 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $62.48 $124.96
premium $4.89 $70.05 $140.10
diesel $5.61 $80.37 $160.73

Estimated Tolls: $1.72

Tri-state Tollway (28.7 mi) $1.72

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

$57

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$84–$109

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 127.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 109.2 1 $38.22 $17.47
Efficient EV 91 1 $31.85 $14.56
EV Truck/SUV 145.6 1 $50.96 $23.30

Gas CO2

127 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Bremen, IL

Evening in Bremen on Saturday

Local time

8:31 PM

CDT

Current temp

80°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 8 mph 32% chance Live forecast

Destination

Highland Park, IL

Evening in Highland Park on Saturday

Local time

8:31 PM

CDT

Current temp

46°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

34 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 12m 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

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 ~7 min detour Free near mile 150.6
View on nps.gov
Pullman National Historical Park

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...

18 mi from route ~44 min detour Free near mile 326.4
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a drive that is predominantly highway-focused, with 79% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 261.9 miles on I-55, offering a consistent pace for a considerable portion of your trip. The character of the drive is largely dictated by these high-speed corridors, designed for efficient travel rather than scenic exploration. While there are brief transitions onto other roads like IL-159, the overall feel is one of continuous movement on well-trafficked routes.

79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 261.9 mi on I 55.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Tri-State Tollway. 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 14 significant decision points across 364 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.

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 Highland Park, 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

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 12m. Total distance: 364 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 12m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 261.9 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.72 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state 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 Highland Park, 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 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 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Highland Park, 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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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