Culver’s
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Effingham, Illinois
Hours: 10 am–10 pm
+12173474986
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 9m
Distance
357.3 mi
575 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$60
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bremen, IL
Sela Hatting
Kenilworth, IL
Phil Ledwith
Bremen to Kenilworth is 357.3 miles and takes about 7h 9m via I 57, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region entirely. Given its mostly highway profile, expect a straightforward trip focused on covering distance efficiently. With 2 planned stops and a recommended single day of travel, this route is well-suited for a direct connection between these two points, making it a practical option for those needing to reach their destination without extensive detours.
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
178.6 miles from Bremen, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 41m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 241.8 mi | 4h 24m |
| North Main Street | 21.7 mi | 26m |
| IL 150 | 16.7 mi | 29m |
| I 64 | 10.3 mi | 11m |
| IL 154 | 8.9 mi | 13m |
| United States Route 51 | 8.8 mi | 10m |
| Kennedy Expressway | 8.2 mi | 11m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) | 7.9 mi | 11m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~761 veh/hr typical · worst 1,099
Quietest
2 AM
~115 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 99 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Bremen, IL and Kenilworth, IL.
Start on Chester Road
Turn sharp left onto IL 150
At end of road, turn right onto IL 154
Enter roundabout onto Kennedy Drive
Continue on Kennedy Drive
Continue on IL 13; IL 154
Turn left onto IL 127
Take the exit
Merge onto I 64
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 51
Continue on US 51
Continue on US 51
Continue on US 51
Continue on US 51
Continue on US 50; US 51
Continue on US 50; US 51
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 50
Turn left
Merge onto I 57
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
Continue on I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
Continue on I 90; I 94
Continue on I 94
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto Old Orchard Road
Turn left onto Gross Point Road
Continue on Ridge Road
Turn slight right onto Kenilworth Avenue
Turn slight left onto Sterling Road
Turn right onto Earlston Road
Turn right onto Park Drive
Arrive at destination
Given the 7-hour duration, starting early in the morning from Bremen is advisable to allow ample time for your 2 planned stops and to arrive in Kenilworth before dark. The bulk of your travel will be on I 57, so keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 241.8-mile stretch. It's a manageable single-day drive, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider breaking it up by stopping overnight around the halfway point. Ensure you have enough fuel before embarking on the longest highway segment to avoid needing to exit unexpectedly.
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.
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 79 miles or 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178.6 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kenilworth, IL than in the middle of the route.
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 357.3 miles and 7h 9m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
179 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.
A short stop after about 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 178.6 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 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 241.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best meal stop · early in the drive
Effingham, Illinois
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Hours: 10 am–10 pm
+12173474986
Paxton Family Restaurant
Paxton, Illinois
Lickin' My Chicken & Pullin' My Pork BBQ
Effingham, Illinois
Best coffee break · final third
Paxton, Illinois
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+12173793268
Panera Bread
Effingham, Illinois
Dirty Tiff's Cafe
Chicago, Illinois
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Effingham, Illinois
Hours: 10 am–10 pm
+12173474986
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Paxton, Illinois
Hours: 6 am–2 pm
+12173792777
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Effingham, Illinois
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+12173473455
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Effingham, Illinois
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+12179940683
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Effingham, Illinois
Hours: 8 am–11 pm
+12173470491
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Effingham, Illinois
Hours: 10:30 am–12 pm
+12173477788
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Effingham, Illinois
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+12173475637
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Effingham, Illinois
Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm
+12173423833
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Paxton, Illinois
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+12173793268
Around the midpoint, short detour
Effingham, Illinois
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+12172403001
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Chicago, Illinois
Hours: 1–9 pm
+17739663451
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Chicago, Illinois
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+17739667531
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Chicago, Illinois
Hours: 8 am–9 pm
+17734931000
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Champaign, Illinois
Hours: 8 am–9 pm
+12179541500
Visit websiteNear the end, ~9 min detour
Matteson, Illinois
Hours: 11 am–5 pm
+17082485571
Visit websiteNear the end, ~10 min detour
Chicago, Illinois
Hours: 10 am–9:30 pm
+13122256368
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Effingham, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Effingham, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Effingham, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Champaign, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Champaign, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Champaign, Illinois
+18668167584
Around the midpoint, short detour
Champaign, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Champaign, Illinois
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Effingham, Illinois
Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm
+12172407175
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Effingham, Illinois
Hours: 10 am–9 pm
+12177904116
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Effingham, Illinois
Hours: 8:30 am–9 pm
+12173478881
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Effingham, Illinois
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Effingham, Illinois
Hours: 6–10 am
+12175407716
Around the midpoint, short detour
Effingham, Illinois
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+12173423401
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Effingham, Illinois
Hours: 8 am–9 pm
+12173425551
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Gilman, Illinois
Hours: 11 am–8 pm
+18157075200
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 354 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn sharp left onto IL 150
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
At end of road, turn right onto IL 154
Navigation decision point
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Old Orchard Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$59.60 one way
$119.20 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $64.78 | $129.56 |
| premium | $5.26 | $73.98 | $147.96 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $86.92 | $173.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125 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 | 107.2 | 1 | $37.52 | $17.15 |
| Efficient EV | 89.3 | 1 | $31.26 | $14.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 142.9 | 1 | $50.02 | $22.87 |
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Bremen on Monday
Local time
9:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
37°F
Patchy Frost
Destination
Night in Kenilworth on Monday
Local time
9:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Clear
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This drive is predominantly highway, with 90% of the 357.3 miles on major roads. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of driving on I 57 for 241.8 miles, which means you'll experience consistent cruising speeds for a significant portion of the trip. The transition to surface streets like North Main Street and IL 150 will occur later in the drive, bringing a change in pace and potentially more intersections as you approach your destination.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and North Main Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near IL 150.
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 21 significant decision points across 357.3 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 0.2 miles (IL 150): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 17 miles (IL 154): Navigation decision point; at 131.8 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
635 ft
Total Descent
583 ft
Highest Point
797 ft
~229.7 mi in
Elevation Range
346 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Bremen, IL to Kenilworth, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Ashley along the way.
Ashley
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 9m. Total distance: 357.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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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