Carthage, IL to Bremen, IL is 235.8 miles and takes about 4h 45m via Avenue of the Saints, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a mixed drive experience, with a significant portion on the Avenue of the Saints. Given its manageable distance and duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day journey, allowing ample time for departure and arrival without feeling rushed.
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
117.9 miles from Carthage, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Avenue of the Saints
99.4 mi
1h 59m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
55.1 mi
1h 1m
IL 3
25 mi
28m
South Main Street
16.6 mi
21m
I 270
12.1 mi
15m
Lehmen Drive
7.8 mi
8m
State Street
6.1 mi
10m
I 255
5.9 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 99.4 mi, about 1h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carthage, IL and Bremen, IL.
1
Start on IL 94
62 ft·6 sec·North Madison Street
2
Turn left onto US 136; IL 94
0.8 mi·1 min·Buchanan Street
3
Continue on US 136; IL 94
0.4 mi·41 sec·E County Road 1500
4
Take the ramp onto IL 94
0.2 mi·31 sec·IL 94
5
Merge onto IL 110; IL 336
51 mi·57 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
6
Take the exit onto IL 110
4.0 mi·4 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
7
Continue on I 72; US 36; IL 110
0.9 mi·59 sec·Mark Twain Memorial Bridge
8
Continue on I 72; US 36; MO 110
1.4 mi·1 min·V.F.W. Memorial Highway
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward US 61: New London, Palmyra
10
Keep slight left at fork
277 ft·9 sec
Toward US 61 South: New London
11
Turn slight left onto US 61
0.1 mi·17 sec·McMasters Avenue
12
Continue on US 61
0.7 mi·1 min·Avenue of the Saints
13
Continue on US 61
1.6 mi·2 min·McMasters Avenue
14
Continue on US 61
99 mi·1 hr 57 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the right lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 25Toward I 270: Chicago, MemphisUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·31 sec
Toward I 270 South: MemphisUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto I 270
12 mi·15 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on I 255
5.9 mi·7 min·I 255
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 6Toward IL 3 South: ColumbiaUse the slight right lane.
20
Continue on IL 3
25 mi·28 min·IL 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn right onto IL 3
17 mi·21 min·South Main Street
22
Continue on IL 3
7.8 mi·8 min·Lehmen Drive
23
Continue on IL 3
0.5 mi·37 sec·West Holmes Street
24
Turn left onto IL 150
6.1 mi·10 min·State Street
25
Turn slight left onto Chester Road
0.2 mi·34 sec·Chester Road
26
Arrive at destination
Chester Road
Trip Plan
For this 4h 45m drive, consider an early morning departure from Carthage to maximize your daylight hours. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 99.4-mile stretch on the Avenue of the Saints. Planning your fuel stops in advance can prevent any unexpected delays. Since this is a one-day trip, you can afford to be flexible with your departure time and any brief pauses you might wish to take along the way.
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 117.9 miles from Carthage, IL, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.4 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 52 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.9 miles or 2h 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 3h 51m
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 Carthage, 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 Carthage, IL
This is one driving day of about 235.8 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Carthage, 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 Avenue of the Saints for about 99.4 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 58.8 and 178.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
58.8 mi into trip|~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward US 61: New London, Palmyra
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 61: New London, Palmyra
6
59 mi into trip|~1h 7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 61 South: New London
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 61 South: New London
8
160.1 mi into trip|~3h 10m in
Take the exit toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 25
Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
7
160.5 mi into trip|~3h 10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 270 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 270 South: Memphis
7
178.7 mi into trip|~3h 33m in
Take the exit toward IL 3 South: Columbia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 6
Toward IL 3 South: Columbia
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.86 one way
$73.73 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$40.48
$80.95
premium
$4.89
$45.38
$90.76
diesel
$5.61
$52.06
$104.12
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.7
0
$24.76
$11.32
Efficient EV
59
0
$20.63
$9.43
EV Truck/SUV
94.3
1
$33.01
$15.09
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 20, 2026
Origin
Carthage, IL
Morning
in Carthage on Tuesday
Local time
7:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bremen, IL
Morning
in Bremen on Tuesday
Local time
7:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 45m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed driving experience, with 42% of it on highways. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch at 99.4 miles on the Avenue of the Saints, which is also known as the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. While there are highway segments for efficient travel, the profile suggests you'll also navigate through varied road types as you make your way across the state. Prepare for a drive that transitions between faster-paced sections and potentially more local roads.
42% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.4 mi on Avenue of the Saints.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 58.8 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 235.8 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 58.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 160.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Between Carthage, IL and Bremen, IL, road signs point toward Palmyra and Memphis.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 45m. Total distance: 235.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.4 miles on Avenue of the Saints. 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 58.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 160.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Bremen, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
