Rail Splitter Rest Area - Southbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Carol Stream, IL to Bremen, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 46m
Distance
343 mi
552 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 35m
★
6 AM
6h 47m
8 AM
7h 10m
10 AM
6h 55m
12 PM
6h 52m
3 PM
6h 56m
5 PM
7h 9m
8 PM
6h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carol Stream, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Bremen, IL
Sela Hatting
Trip Overview
Carol Stream, IL to Bremen, IL is 343 miles and takes about 6h 46m via I 55 and IL 3, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, primarily traversing Illinois. Expect a straightforward drive with a high percentage of highway miles, making it a practical choice for a single-day transit. The route is designed for efficiency rather than extensive sightseeing, ideal if you need to get from point A to point B with minimal fuss. It's a manageable drive that doesn't require an overnight stay.
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
171.5 miles from Carol Stream, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 142.7 mi | 2h 34m |
| Adlai Stevenson Expressway | 111.5 mi | 2h 2m |
| IL 3 | 23.3 mi | 28m |
| Veterans Memorial Tollway | 14.6 mi | 18m |
| North Illinois Street | 9.8 mi | 15m |
| South Illinois Street | 8.3 mi | 12m |
| Main Street | 8 mi | 11m |
| State Route 159 | 6.1 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 142.7 mi, about 2h 34m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,633 veh/hr typical · worst 2,039
Quietest
2 AM
~154 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.6×
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 Carol Stream, IL and Bremen, IL.
1
Start on West Thunderbird Trail
0.2 mi
·
54 sec
·
West Thunderbird Trail
2
At end of road, turn right onto Aztec Drive
160 ft
·
12 sec
·
Aztec Drive
3
Turn left onto Thunderbird Trail
202 ft
·
14 sec
·
Thunderbird Trail
4
Turn left onto Kuhn Road
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Kuhn Road
5
Turn left onto IL 64
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Avenue
6
Continue on IL 64
4.2 mi
·
7 min
·
East North Avenue
Use the left / uturn lanes.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet
Use the right lane.
8
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
this road
Toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet
9
Merge onto I 355
15 mi
·
18 min
·
Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 12A
Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward Joliet Road South
Use the slight left lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 55
112 mi
·
2 hr 2 min
·
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
65 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
78 mi
·
1 hr 23 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 15A
Toward IL 159 South: Collinsville
17
Continue on IL 159
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Vandalia Street
18
Continue on IL 159
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Morrison Avenue
19
Continue on IL 159
9.8 mi
·
15 min
·
North Illinois Street
20
Enter roundabout onto IL 159
181 ft
·
4 sec
·
South Illinois Street
21
Continue on IL 159
8.3 mi
·
12 min
·
South Illinois Street
22
Continue on IL 159
6.1 mi
·
9 min
·
State Route 159
23
Continue on IL 156; IL 159
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
North Main Street
24
Continue on IL 159
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
N Main St
25
Continue on IL 159
8.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Main Street
26
Continue on IL 3
23 mi
·
28 min
·
IL 3
27
Turn left onto IL 150
6.1 mi
·
10 min
·
State Street
28
Turn slight left onto Chester Road
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Chester Road
29
Arrive at destination
Chester Road
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 46m duration, departing in the morning is your best bet to complete this trip within daylight hours. A single stop is planned, so consider taking it about halfway through your longest stretch on I 55 to break up the driving. The estimated fuel cost is $52, so ensure your tank is full before departing Carol Stream. Since this is a one-day drive, you have flexibility in your timing, but be aware of potential rush hour traffic if you're leaving during peak times. The route is mostly highway, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge as services can be spaced out on interstates.
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 171.5 miles from Carol Stream, IL, or about 3h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 142.7 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 75 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.5 miles or 3h 16m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bremen, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Carol Stream, 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 Carol Stream, IL
This is one driving day of about 343 miles and 6h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Carol Stream, 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 142.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
172 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 75 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 171.5 miles from Carol Stream, 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 142.7 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.
Homestead Rest Area - Southbound
0 mi from route
Rail Splitter Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Dixie Trucker's Home
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
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
Love's Travel Stop
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
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Greater Chicago Truck Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
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
Service Plaza
1.1 mi from route
Rest Area
1.7 mi from route
QuikTrip
2.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 21.2 and 198.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
21.2 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Take the exit toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
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 12A
Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
7
21.4 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Joliet Road South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Joliet Road South
7
21.8 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
8
133.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
|
I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
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 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
7
198.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 45m in
|
I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.65 one way
$101.31 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
120 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $55.92 | $111.84 |
| premium | $4.72 | $63.68 | $127.37 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $64.76 | $129.53 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.02
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(14.6 mi)
$1.02
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
$51
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 102.9 | 1 | $36.02 | $16.46 |
| Efficient EV | 85.8 | 0 | $30.01 | $13.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 137.2 | 1 | $48.02 | $21.95 |
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 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
Carol Stream, IL
Late night in Carol Stream on Monday
Local time
4:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Smoke
SW 0 to 10 mph
43% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
Bremen, IL
Late night in Bremen on Monday
Local time
4:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 2 to 6 mph
29% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
69°F
Springfield, IL
172 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
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.
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 189.2
View on nps.gov
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...
23 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 11.8
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 predominantly highway, with 83% of the 343 miles on high-speed roads like I 55 and the Adlai Stevenson Expressway. You'll encounter a long stretch of 142.7 miles on I 55, indicating extended periods of consistent cruising. The transition from highway to surface roads will occur around mile 294, where you'll navigate IL 3 for the final segment. Expect a busy interstate environment for most of your travel, with numerous exits and potential for merging traffic.
83% 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: 142.7 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Adlai Stevenson Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 343 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 21.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
813 ft
474 ft
Total Climb
470 ft
Total Descent
670 ft
Highest Point
813 ft
~122.5 mi in
Elevation Range
339 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 Carol Stream, IL and Bremen, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis, Joliet Road South and Springfield.
Saint Louis
21.2 mi in
|
~31m
Joliet Road South
21.4 mi in
|
~31m
Springfield
133.5 mi in
|
~2h 35m
|
via I 55
About the Cities
Starting in Carol Stream, IL
Full guide →Founded 1959
Arriving 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 6h 46m. Total distance: 343 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 142.7 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.02 in tolls one way, starting with Veterans Memorial 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 33 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 Bremen, 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 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 21.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 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 Bremen, 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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