Bremen, IL to Near North Side, IL is 340.5 miles and takes about 6h 46m via I 57, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays within the Midwest, crossing from one part of Illinois to another. Expect a straightforward trip primarily on interstates, making it a solid option if you need to cover ground efficiently. With a recommended one-day travel time, this route is well-suited for a direct journey.
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
170.2 miles from Bremen, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
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
US 50
7.8 mi
9m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.8 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 241.8 mi, about 4h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bremen, IL and Near North Side, IL.
1
Start on Chester Road
0.2 mi·41 sec·Chester Road
2
Turn sharp left onto IL 150
17 mi·29 min·IL 150
3
At end of road, turn right onto IL 154
8.9 mi·13 min·IL 154
4
Enter roundabout onto Kennedy Drive
44 ft·0 sec·Kennedy Drive
5
Continue on Kennedy Drive
0.4 mi·34 sec·Kennedy Drive
6
Continue on IL 13; IL 154
0.6 mi·57 sec·West Water Street
7
Turn left onto IL 127
22 mi·26 min·North Main Street
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
9
Merge onto I 64
10 mi·11 min·I 64
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward US 51: Centralia, Ashley
11
Turn left onto US 51
8.8 mi·10 min·United States Route 51
12
Continue on US 51
2.6 mi·5 min·Elm Street
13
Continue on US 51
0.9 mi·1 min·South Broadway
14
Continue on US 51
4.3 mi·6 min·County Road 180 East
15
Continue on US 51
0.6 mi·54 sec·South Mine Street
16
Continue on US 50; US 51
0.2 mi·12 sec·N Mine St
17
Continue on US 50; US 51
347 ft·4 sec·North Mine Street
18
Take the exit
134 ft·3 sec
19
Turn right onto US 50
7.8 mi·9 min·US 50
20
Turn left
0.4 mi·54 sec
21
Merge onto I 57
47 mi·50 min·I 57
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
195 mi·3 hr 34 min·I 57
Toward I 57 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi·4 min·Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
7.8 mi·11 min·Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit onto Kennedy Expressway
0.5 mi·1 min·Kennedy Expressway
Toward DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
0.1 mi·13 sec·Kennedy Expressway
Toward I 94 West, I 90 West: Washington Boulevard East, Wisconsin, Kennedy Expressway
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
128 ft·3 sec·Kennedy Expressway
Toward I 90 West, I 94: Randolph Street, Lake StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight right at fork
405 ft·9 sec
Exit 51Toward Randolph Street, Lake Street
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 51AToward Lake StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn right onto West Lake Street
306 ft·13 sec·West Lake Street
31
Turn left onto North Desplaines Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·North Desplaines Street
32
Turn right onto West Grand Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·West Grand Avenue
33
Turn left onto North Orleans Street
0.3 mi·50 sec·North Orleans Street
Use the straight lane.
34
Turn right onto West Chicago Avenue
0.2 mi·25 sec·West Chicago Avenue
35
Turn left onto North Wells Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·North Wells Street
Use the left lane.
36
Arrive at destination
North Wells Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 46m duration, starting your drive in Bremen, IL, shortly after sunrise will allow ample time to reach Near North Side, IL, before evening. Plan for one primary stop along the 340.5-mile journey, likely around the halfway point on I 57, to refuel and stretch. The fuel cost estimate of $53 suggests keeping an eye on gas prices as you travel through Illinois. Since this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time slightly based on your preference.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 170.2 miles from Bremen, IL, or about 3h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 241.8 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 75 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 170.2 miles or 3h 32m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Near North Side, 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 340.5 miles and 6h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 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 57 for about 241.8 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 131.8 and 338.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
131.8 mi into trip|~2h 50m in|I 57
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
8
330.3 mi into trip|~6h 29m in|I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Roa...
9
338.6 mi into trip|~6h 41m in|I 90; I 94 / Kennedy Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94 / Kennedy Expressway toward I 90 West, I 94: Randolph Street, Lake Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 West, I 94: Randolph Street, Lake S...
8
338.7 mi into trip|~6h 41m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Randolph Street, Lake Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 51
Toward Randolph Street, Lake Street
9
338.7 mi into trip|~6h 41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Lake Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 51A
Toward Lake Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.23 one way
$106.47 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg119 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$58.45
$116.90
premium
$4.89
$65.53
$131.05
diesel
$5.61
$75.18
$150.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
102.1
1
$35.75
$16.34
Efficient EV
85.1
0
$29.79
$13.62
EV Truck/SUV
136.2
1
$47.67
$21.79
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 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
Night
in Bremen on Saturday
Local time
11:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 8 mph32% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 12:33PM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 16 at 12:29PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Near North Side, IL
Night
in Near North Side on Saturday
Local time
11:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Bruce, IL
170 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
13 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
6h 46m 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 328.7
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 90% of the route on major roads like I 57 and IL 150. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including an uninterrupted segment of 241.8 miles on I 57. While the majority of the drive is on high-speed highways, there are brief transitions onto local roads like North Main Street, offering a slight change of pace. Overall, anticipate a predictable driving experience focused on covering distance.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 241.8 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 131.8 miles in near I 57.
Driving Effort9/10
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 25 significant decision points across 340.5 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 131.8 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 330.3 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 338.6 miles (I 90; I 94 / Kennedy Expressway): 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.
On the drive from Bremen, IL to Near North Side, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Ashley along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 46m. Total distance: 340.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 46m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 241.8 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Near North Side, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 131.8 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 330.3 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 338.6 miles (I 90; I 94 / Kennedy Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Near North Side, IL before the return drive.
