Bremen to Lindenhurst is 381 miles and takes about 7h 32m via I 55 and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a largely highway-focused experience that should be manageable for a single day of driving. It's a straightforward path connecting two points in the same state.
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
190.5 miles from Bremen, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
261.9 mi
4h 46m
Tri-State Tollway
44.1 mi
53m
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
Grand Avenue
5 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 261.9 mi, about 4h 46m
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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Lindenhurst, 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
121 mi·2 hr 14 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
1.6 mi·3 min
Exit 277AToward I 294 Tollway North: WisconsinUse 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
39 mi·47 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 8B-AToward IL 132: Grand AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward IL 132 West: Grand AvenueUse the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·19 sec·this road
Exit 8Toward IL 132: Grand Avenue
23
Keep slight right at fork
289 ft·7 sec
Exit 8AToward IL 132 West: Grand AvenueUse the straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·25 sec·this road
Exit 8AToward IL 132 West: Grand Avenue
25
Turn straight onto IL 132
5.0 mi·7 min·Grand Avenue
Use the left lane.
26
Turn right onto Sand Lake Road
259 ft·9 sec·Sand Lake Road
27
Turn left onto Valley Drive
407 ft·18 sec·Valley Drive
28
Turn right onto Briar Lane
0.2 mi·47 sec·Briar Lane
29
Arrive at destination
Briar Lane
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7.5-hour drive, aim for an early morning departure to avoid potential midday traffic, especially as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area. With 2 planned stops, you can break up the 381 miles strategically. The longest continuous driving segment is 261.9 miles on I 55, so plan your longer break around that point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $60, and services can be spread out on certain highway sections.
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 190.5 miles from Bremen, IL, or about 3h 50m 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 84 miles or 1h 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 190.5 miles or 3h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lindenhurst, 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 381 miles and 7h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 178.4 and 375.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
374.6 mi into trip|~7h 21m in
Take the exit toward IL 132: Grand Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 8B-A
Toward IL 132: Grand Avenue
9
375.4 mi into trip|~7h 22m in
Keep slight right at fork toward IL 132 West: Grand Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 8A
Toward IL 132 West: Grand Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$63.56 one way
$127.11 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg133 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$69.35
$138.69
premium
$5.25
$78.80
$157.59
diesel
$6.28
$94.14
$188.28
Estimated Tolls: $2.65
Tri-state Tollway
(44.1 mi)$2.65
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
$64
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 133.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
114.3
1
$40.01
$18.29
Efficient EV
95.3
1
$33.34
$15.24
EV Truck/SUV
152.4
1
$53.34
$24.38
Gas CO2
133 kg
EV CO2
45 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 Oct 23, 2026
Origin
Bremen, IL
Evening
in Bremen on Friday
Local time
8:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Clear
NE 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lindenhurst, IL
Evening
in Lindenhurst on Friday
Local time
8:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Partly Cloudy then Patchy Fog
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
74°F
Athens, IL
191 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
7h 32m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 144.5
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 328.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on highways, with 76% of the route utilizing them. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I 55, including a long stretch of 261.9 miles. After the highway segments, particularly on IL 159, you'll transition to surface roads. Be prepared for a high number of exits and merges common to interstate travel.
76% 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: 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 178.4 miles in near I 55.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 381 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 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; at 328.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
844 ft410 ft
Total Climb
742 ft
Total Descent
506 ft
Highest Point
844 ft
~217.7 mi in
Elevation Range
434 ft
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 Lindenhurst, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 32m. Total distance: 381 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 32m 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 $2.65 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.
Yes — we found about 36 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 Lindenhurst, 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 36 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 328.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lindenhurst, IL before the return drive.
