Bremen, IL to Lakewood Shores, IL is 294.7 miles and takes about 5h 49m via I 55 and IL 159, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Expect a drive that is heavily focused on highway travel, making it a straightforward journey. With a recommended one-day drive time, it's a solid option for a quick relocation or a visit to a new area without needing an overnight stay.
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
147.3 miles from Bremen, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
223.3 mi
4h
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
Vandalia Street
2.8 mi
4m
Stripmine Road
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 223.3 mi, about 4h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bremen, IL and Lakewood Shores, 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: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
82 mi·1 hr 28 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward IL 129 South: Wilmington
17
Turn straight onto IL 129
0.4 mi·40 sec·Washington Street
18
Turn left onto CH 29
1.6 mi·2 min·Stripmine Road
19
At end of road, turn left onto IL 53
256 ft·6 sec·West Baltimore Street
20
Continue on IL 53
0.5 mi·1 min·West Balitmore Street
21
Turn right onto South Park Street
0.5 mi·2 min·South Park Street
22
Continue on Barnes Drive
0.1 mi·31 sec·Barnes Drive
23
Continue on West Kahler Road
482 ft·23 sec·West Kahler Road
24
Turn right onto Sunset Drive
0.7 mi·2 min·Sunset Drive
25
Continue on Robert Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Robert Street
26
Arrive at destination
Robert Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 49m duration and 294.7-mile distance, this route is comfortably achievable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample time for the drive and any unexpected delays. The longest stretch on I 55 is over 223 miles, so plan for a fuel and rest stop before or during that segment to stay comfortable. With only one recommended stop, you have a lot of flexibility in timing your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition off I 55 onto IL 159 and South State Street, as services might be less frequent.
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 147.3 miles from Bremen, IL, or about 3h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 223.3 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 65 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.3 miles or 3h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakewood Shores, 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 294.7 miles and 5h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 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 223.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 52.5 and 207.8 — 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
4
66.3 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Take the ramp toward I 55 North, I 70 East
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.07 one way
$92.15 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$50.59
$101.17
premium
$4.89
$56.71
$113.42
diesel
$5.61
$65.07
$130.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.4
1
$30.94
$14.15
Efficient EV
73.7
0
$25.79
$11.79
EV Truck/SUV
117.9
1
$41.26
$18.86
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Bremen, IL
Late night
in Bremen on Tuesday
Local time
5:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lakewood Shores, IL
Late night
in Lakewood Shores on Tuesday
Local time
5:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
67°F
Hillsboro, IL
147 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
25 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
5h 49m 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
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 152.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 85% of the route utilizing major roads like I 55 and IL 159. You'll experience a significant stretch of 223.3 miles primarily on I 55, offering a consistent pace for a large portion of your journey. While the majority is highway, the inclusion of IL 159 and South State Street suggests some transitions to more local road driving as you approach your destination. The profile indicates a predominantly fast-paced drive with minimal deviations from major thoroughfares.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 223.3 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and IL 159. You will hit about 12 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 Effort5/10
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 294.7 miles you will encounter 12 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 66.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Lakewood Shores, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 49m. Total distance: 294.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 223.3 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 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.
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 24 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 66.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lakewood Shores, IL before the return drive.
