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Trip from Bremen, IL to Princeton, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 34m

Distance

272.1 mi

438 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 21m ★
6 AM
5h 35m
8 AM
6h 1m
10 AM
5h 44m
12 PM
5h 41m
3 PM
5h 45m
5 PM
6h 0m
8 PM
5h 27m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and the county seat of Bureau County, Illinois, United States

Princeton, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 272.1-mile journey from Bremen, Illinois, to Princeton, Illinois, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 5 hours and 34 minutes. You'll primarily navigate via I-55, I-155, and IL-159, with about 70% of the drive on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $43. Given its duration and highway focus, this route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The drive stays within the Midwest region, offering a straightforward transit through Illinois.

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

136.1 miles from Bremen, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 51m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 111.7 mi 2h
I 155 32 mi 34m
IL 159 20.1 mi 30m
County Road 1400 East 17.8 mi 20m
South State Street 17.7 mi 22m
North Illinois Street 9.8 mi 15m
South 4th Street 9.1 mi 10m
Lehmen Drive 7.8 mi 8m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 111.7 mi, about 2h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bremen, IL and Princeton, 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 left at fork onto I 155

32 mi · 34 min · I 155
Exit 127 Toward I 155 North: Peoria, Hartsburg
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
16

Merge onto I 74

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 74
17

Keep slight right at fork onto I 74

6.0 mi · 7 min · I 74
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
18

Take the exit onto IL 29

0.2 mi · 24 sec · IL 29
Toward IL 29 North: Downtown Peoria
19

Turn right onto IL 29

2.5 mi · 4 min · Northeast Adams Street
20

Continue on IL 29

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Northeast Adams Street
21

Continue on IL 29

7.1 mi · 10 min · North Galena Road
22

Keep slight left at fork

321 ft · 4 sec
23

Keep slight right at fork

148 ft · 2 sec
24

Continue on IL 29

0.4 mi · 35 sec · North Galena Road
25

Continue on IL 29

6.1 mi · 7 min · North State Route 29
26

Continue on IL 29

9.1 mi · 10 min · South 4th Street
27

Continue on IL 29

1.1 mi · 1 min · Railroad Street
28

Continue on IL 29

18 mi · 20 min · County Road 1400 East
29

Merge onto I 180

2.9 mi · 3 min · I 180
30

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward IL 26: Princeton
31

Turn left onto IL 26

4.7 mi · 8 min · IL 26
32

Turn left onto 1500 North Avenue

0.2 mi · 21 sec · 1500 North Avenue
33

Continue on East Thompson Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Thompson Street
34

At end of road, turn right onto South Main Street

0.3 mi · 37 sec · South Main Street
35

Arrive at destination

South Main Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 5-hour and 34-minute drive, consider departing in the morning to allow ample time for any unforeseen delays. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 111.7 miles on I-55, as services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost of $43 is a good baseline, but it's always wise to have a little extra buffer. This route is manageable as a single-day trip, so you can focus on reaching Princeton efficiently.

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 136.1 miles from Bremen, IL, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.7 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 60 miles or 1h 25m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 136.1 miles or 2h 51m 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 30m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Princeton, 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 272.1 miles and 5h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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 111.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

capital city of Illinois and county seat of Sangamon County

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Springfield, IL

136 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

Caseyville, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Springfield, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 136.1 miles from Bremen, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.7 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Cancun

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Sherman, Illinois

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 155.5

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12174963221

Visit website

Cancun

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 155.5

Sherman, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12174963221

Visit website

Bella Milano O'Fallon

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 58.3

O'Fallon, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16186240700

Visit website

Chatham Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 136.1

Chatham, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12176971101

Visit website

El Quetzalito Mexican Restaurant

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 136.1

Divernon, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12176280000

Visit website

Wasabi Sushi Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 77.8

Edwardsville, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+16186559880

Visit website

Domino's Pizza

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour Inexpensiv mile 77.8

Edwardsville, Illinois

Hours: 10:30 am–12 pm

+16186921515

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 213.8

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 213.8

East Peoria, Illinois

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 213.8

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 174.9

Lincoln, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12177354444

Visit website

InCharge Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 213.8

Morton, Illinois

+13092913039

Visit website

Circle K Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 213.8

Morton, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18335052291

Visit website

Universal Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 174.9

Lincoln, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18663502738

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 213.8

Peoria, Illinois

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 52.5 and 228.4 — 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 155

Keep slight left at fork onto I 155 toward I 155 North: Peoria, Hartsburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 127 Toward I 155 North: Peoria, Hartsburg
5
210.4 mi into trip | ~4h 11m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 74 West: Peoria

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 74 West: Peoria
6
228.4 mi into trip | ~4h 38m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$42.54 one way

$85.08 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 95 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $46.71 $93.41
premium $4.89 $52.36 $104.73
diesel $5.61 $60.08 $120.15

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$43

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$68–$93

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 95.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 81.6 1 $28.57 $13.06
Efficient EV 68 0 $23.81 $10.88
EV Truck/SUV 108.8 1 $38.09 $17.41

Gas CO2

95 kg

EV CO2

32 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

Late night in Bremen on Sunday

Local time

5:21 AM

CDT

Current temp

80°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 8 mph 32% chance Live 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

Princeton, IL

Late night in Princeton on Sunday

Local time

5:21 AM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

78°F

Springfield, IL

136 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

5h 34m 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

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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 150.1
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 272.1-mile route, with 70% of it spent on interstates and major highways like I-55 and I-155. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 111.7 miles on I-55, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While the majority of the drive is on these main arteries, the inclusion of IL-159 suggests some variation as you progress. This profile indicates a generally efficient and direct travel experience rather than a winding, scenic tour.

70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.7 mi on I 55.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 155. You will hit about 16 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 Effort 6/10

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 272.1 miles you will encounter 16 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 70.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 178.4 miles (I 155): 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 Princeton, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Hartsburg.

Springfield

70.5 mi in | ~1h 41m | via I 55

Kansas City

70.5 mi in | ~1h 41m | via I 55

Hartsburg

178.4 mi in | ~3h 37m | via I 155

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

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 5h 34m. Total distance: 272.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 111.7 miles on I 55. 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 Princeton, 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 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 155): 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 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Princeton, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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