Bremen to Willowbrook is 318.3 miles and takes about 6h 23m via I 57 and IL 150, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, primarily traversing Illinois. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. Given its manageable duration and highway-heavy profile, this route is a practical choice for getting from point A to point B without extensive planning.
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
159.2 miles from Bremen, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
210.1 mi
3h 45m
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
South Governors Highway
4.8 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 210.1 mi, about 3h 45m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~761 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,099
Quietest
2 AM
~115 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 99 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 Willowbrook, 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
164 mi·2 hr 55 min·I 57
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 327Toward Wilmington, Peotone
24
Turn right onto CH 25
1.4 mi·2 min·West Wilmington Road
25
Turn left onto IL 50
0.5 mi·53 sec·South Governors Highway
26
Continue on IL 50
0.7 mi·1 min·South Harlem Avenue
27
Continue on IL 50
4.3 mi·6 min·South Governors Highway
28
Turn right onto CH 23
4.3 mi·6 min·West Pauling Road
29
Continue on CH 23
2.1 mi·3 min·West Goodenow Road
30
Continue on CH 23
0.5 mi·1 min·Main Street
31
Turn left onto IL 1; IL 394
4.4 mi·6 min·Calumet Expressway
32
Turn right onto East Burville Road
0.6 mi·1 min·East Burville Road
33
Turn left onto Stoney Island Avenue
180 ft·9 sec·Stoney Island Avenue
34
Turn right onto CH 49
2.0 mi·3 min·East Exchange Street
35
Turn left onto South State Line Road
1.3 mi·2 min·South State Line Road
36
Turn left onto Challas Drive
0.3 mi·1 min·Challas Drive
37
At end of road, turn right onto Buried Oak Drive
0.3 mi·1 min·Buried Oak Drive
38
Turn right onto Longwood Drive
329 ft·14 sec·Longwood Drive
39
Arrive at destination
Longwood Drive
Trip Plan
For this 6h 23m drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to ensure you arrive with plenty of daylight. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is over 200 miles on I 57, so plan a fuel and rest stop before you hit that segment. Since the total distance is under 320 miles, you have flexibility, but don't underestimate the time spent on IL 150 as you get closer to Willowbrook. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition from I 57 to these smaller roads, as services might be less frequent.
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 159.2 miles from Bremen, IL, or about 3h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 210.1 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 70 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.2 miles or 3h 19m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Willowbrook, 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 318.3 miles and 6h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 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 210.1 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 295.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|IL 150
Turn sharp left onto IL 150
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
17 mi into trip|~30m in|IL 154
At end of road, turn right onto IL 154
Navigation decision point
5
48.5 mi into trip|~1h 11m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
59.2 mi into trip|~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward US 51: Centralia, Ashley
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 51: Centralia, Ashley
6
295.3 mi into trip|~5h 45m in
Take the exit toward Wilmington, Peotone
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 327
Toward Wilmington, Peotone
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.10 one way
$106.19 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$57.71
$115.42
premium
$5.26
$65.90
$131.81
diesel
$6.18
$77.43
$154.86
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: 111.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.5
1
$33.42
$15.28
Efficient EV
79.6
0
$27.85
$12.73
EV Truck/SUV
127.3
1
$44.56
$20.37
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Bremen, IL
Late night
in Bremen on Monday
Local time
5:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
30°F
Areas Of Frost
SE 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Willowbrook, IL
Late night
in Willowbrook on Monday
Local time
5:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Shelbyville, IL
159 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
43 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 23m 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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 318.3
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 highway, with 84% of the 318.3 miles on interstates and main roads like I 57. You'll experience a long stretch of 210.1 miles on I 57, which means extended periods of consistent cruising. The remainder of the trip will transition to surface roads like North Main Street and IL 150, likely bringing more local traffic and exits as you approach your destination.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 210.1 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and North Main Street. You will hit about 23 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near IL 150.
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 318.3 miles you will encounter 23 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 0.2 miles (IL 150): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 17 miles (IL 154): Navigation decision point; at 48.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
770 ft500 ft
Total Climb
412 ft
Total Descent
253 ft
Highest Point
770 ft
~204.6 mi in
Elevation Range
270 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 Willowbrook, IL, road signs point toward Ashley, Wilmington and Peotone.
Ashley
59.2 mi in|~1h 23m
Wilmington
295.3 mi in|~5h 45m
Peotone
295.3 mi in|~5h 45m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 23m. Total distance: 318.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 23m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 210.1 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 32 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Willowbrook, 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. There are 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (IL 150): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 17 miles (IL 154): Navigation decision point; at 48.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Willowbrook, IL before the return drive.
