Rail Splitter Rest Area - Northbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Bremen, IL to Prairie Grove, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 28m
Distance
358.7 mi
577 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$60
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 18m
★
6 AM
7h 28m
8 AM
7h 49m
10 AM
7h 35m
12 PM
7h 33m
3 PM
7h 36m
5 PM
7h 47m
8 PM
7h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bremen, IL
Sela Hatting
Prairie Grove, IL
Andrew Patrick Photo
Trip Overview
Bremen to Prairie Grove is 358.7 miles and takes about 7h 28m via I 55 and IL 47, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route is entirely within Illinois, taking you from one part of the Midwest to another. It's a straightforward trip with a significant portion on the interstate, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently. If you're looking for a direct drive with minimal fuss, this one fits the bill.
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
179.4 miles from Bremen, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 38m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 204.6 mi | 3h 40m |
| IL 47 | 32 mi | 38m |
| South Randall Road | 24.9 mi | 41m |
| IL 159 | 20.1 mi | 30m |
| South State Street | 17.7 mi | 22m |
| Orchard Road | 11.2 mi | 18m |
| North Illinois Street | 9.8 mi | 15m |
| Lehmen Drive | 7.8 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 204.6 mi, about 3h 40m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,745 veh/hr typical · worst 2,160
Quietest
2 AM
~156 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Prairie Grove, 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
64 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 220
Toward IL 47: Morris, Dwight
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn left onto IL 47
32 mi
·
38 min
·
IL 47
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto Walker Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Walker Road
19
Turn left onto Ashley Road
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Ashley Road
20
At end of road, turn right onto IL 126
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
East Schoolhouse Road
21
Turn left onto Minkler Road
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Minkler Road
22
Enter roundabout onto Minkler Road
126 ft
·
3 sec
·
Minkler Road
23
Continue on Minkler Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Minkler Road
24
Continue on Orchard Road
11 mi
·
18 min
·
Orchard Road
Use the left lane.
25
Turn left onto CR 34
25 mi
·
41 min
·
South Randall Road
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on V29
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Randall Road
Use the left lane.
27
Continue on A45
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
James R Rakow Road
Use the straight lane.
28
Turn left onto IL 31
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
IL 31
Use the left lane.
29
Turn right onto IL 176
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West State Road
30
Turn left onto Barreville Road
1.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Barreville Road
31
Arrive at destination
Barreville Road
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 28m estimated drive time, starting in the morning should allow you to comfortably reach your destination before evening. With two planned stops, you can break up the 358.7 miles into manageable segments. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 204.6-mile stretch on I 55, as services can be more spread out. The $56 fuel cost is an estimate, so it's always wise to have a little extra buffer. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility in when you depart and how long you linger at your stops.
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 179.4 miles from Bremen, IL, or about 3h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 204.6 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 79 miles or 1h 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 179.4 miles or 3h 38m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Prairie Grove, 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 358.7 miles and 7h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 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 204.6 miles.
Where to Stop
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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 179.4 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 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 204.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rail Splitter Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Dixie Trucker's Home
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Homestead Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Coalfield Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Funks Grove Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Limestone Rest Area (Southbound)
0.1 mi from route
Limestone Rest Area (Northbound)
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Homestead Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.5 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Rest Area
1.7 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 52.5 and 271.3 — 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
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
8
271.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 17m in
Take the exit toward IL 47: Morris, Dwight
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 220
Toward IL 47: Morris, Dwight
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.64 one way
$119.27 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
126 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $64.96 | $129.92 |
| premium | $5.18 | $73.19 | $146.39 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $75.55 | $151.11 |
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: 125.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 107.6 | 1 | $37.66 | $17.22 |
| Efficient EV | 89.7 | 1 | $31.39 | $14.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 143.5 | 1 | $50.22 | $22.96 |
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 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.
Origin
Bremen, IL
Afternoon in Bremen on Wednesday
Local time
2:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 2 mph
59% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 10:38AM CDT until June 3 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Prairie Grove, IL
Afternoon in Prairie Grove on Wednesday
Local time
2:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Chance Light Rain
NNE 5 mph
50% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 10:38AM CDT until June 3 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
88°F
Athens, IL
179 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
7 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 28m 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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 148.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is heavily focused on highways, with 74% of the route on interstates and major roads. You'll spend the longest stretch, 204.6 miles, on I 55 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect to encounter a good number of exits and potential merging traffic as you navigate the highway segments, particularly on I 55. The final leg on IL 47 and South Randall Road will likely feel more like typical suburban or rural cruising.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 204.6 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and IL 47. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 52.5 miles in near IL 159 / North Illinois Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 358.7 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 52.5 miles (IL 159 / North Illinois Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
802 ft
458 ft
Total Climb
627 ft
Total Descent
432 ft
Highest Point
802 ft
~333.1 mi in
Elevation Range
343 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Prairie Grove, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City, Peoria and Dwight.
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
Dwight
271.3 mi in
|
~5h 17m
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
Arriving in Prairie Grove, IL
Full guide →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 28m. Total distance: 358.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 28m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 204.6 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 26 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 Prairie Grove, 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 26 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 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.
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 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 14.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Prairie Grove, 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, 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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