Cherry Valley, IL to Bremen, IL is 339.8 miles and takes about 6h 32m via I 55 and I 39, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Midwest, primarily traversing Illinois. You'll be on highways for most of the trip, making it a fairly straightforward drive. Given the duration and mileage, it's definitely a manageable one-day excursion, especially if you get an early start. Plan for a direct trip with minimal detours.
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
169.9 miles from Cherry Valley, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
142.7 mi
2h 34m
I 39
121.2 mi
2h 10m
IL 3
23.3 mi
28m
North Illinois Street
9.8 mi
15m
South Illinois Street
8.3 mi
12m
Main Street
8 mi
11m
US 51
7.6 mi
8m
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 20 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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Cherry Valley, IL and Bremen, IL.
1
Start on East State Street
0.4 mi·37 sec·East State Street
2
Turn right onto Mill Road
0.2 mi·27 sec·Mill Road
3
Turn left onto US 20
0.4 mi·43 sec·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
4
Continue on US 20
0.1 mi·9 sec·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
5
Continue on Harrison Avenue
412 ft·6 sec·Harrison Avenue
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
7
Merge onto I 39; US 20; US 51
1.8 mi·1 min·I 39; US 20; US 51
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; US 51
119 mi·2 hr 8 min·I 39; US 51
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 51
7.6 mi·8 min·US 51
Toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
65 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, SpringfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
78 mi·1 hr 23 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Exit 15AToward IL 159 South: Collinsville
13
Continue on IL 159
3.0 mi·4 min·Vandalia Street
14
Continue on IL 159
1.3 mi·1 min·South Morrison Avenue
15
Continue on IL 159
9.8 mi·15 min·North Illinois Street
16
Enter roundabout onto IL 159
181 ft·4 sec·South Illinois Street
17
Continue on IL 159
8.3 mi·12 min·South Illinois Street
18
Continue on IL 159
6.1 mi·9 min·State Route 159
19
Continue on IL 156; IL 159
0.2 mi·19 sec·North Main Street
20
Continue on IL 159
0.2 mi·13 sec·N Main St
21
Continue on IL 159
8.0 mi·11 min·Main Street
22
Continue on IL 3
23 mi·28 min·IL 3
23
Turn left onto IL 150
6.1 mi·10 min·State Street
24
Turn slight left onto Chester Road
0.2 mi·34 sec·Chester Road
25
Arrive at destination
Chester Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6.5-hour drive, aim for an early morning departure from Cherry Valley to avoid any potential rush hour congestion. Since it's a single-day trip, you won't need to break it up, but a mid-drive stop around the halfway point is advisable for stretching and refueling. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading into longer stretches like the 142.7 miles on I 55. The estimated fuel cost of $53 is a good budgeting guideline, but it's always wise to have a little extra. Pay attention to the transition from I 39 to IL 3, as this will signify a change in road type.
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 169.9 miles from Cherry Valley, IL, or about 3h 4m 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 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 169.9 miles or 3h 4m 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 6m
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 Cherry Valley, 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 Cherry Valley, IL
This is one driving day of about 339.8 miles and 6h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Cherry Valley, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 122.7 and 287.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
122.7 mi into trip|~2h 13m in|US 51
Keep slight right at fork onto US 51 toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champai...
8
130.3 mi into trip|~2h 21m 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
195.1 mi into trip|~3h 31m 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
5
273 mi into trip|~4h 55m in
Take the exit toward IL 159 South: Collinsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 15A
Toward IL 159 South: Collinsville
5
287.3 mi into trip|~5h 18m in|IL 159 / South Illinois Street
Enter roundabout onto IL 159 / South Illinois Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.18 one way
$100.36 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg119 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$55.40
$110.80
premium
$4.72
$63.09
$126.18
diesel
$4.80
$64.16
$128.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.9
1
$35.68
$16.31
Efficient EV
85
0
$29.73
$13.59
EV Truck/SUV
135.9
1
$47.57
$21.75
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Cherry Valley, IL
Late night
in Cherry Valley on Monday
Local time
4:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Smoke
SSW 0 to 10 mph44% chanceLive 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
4:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 2 to 6 mph29% chanceLive 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
170 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
1 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
6h 32m 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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 187.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly highway driving, with 89% of the route on interstates. You'll spend a significant amount of time on I 55, including a stretch of 142.7 miles without needing to exit. The transition to IL 3 will mark the end of the major highway portion, introducing more surface road cruising. Expect frequent exits and merging traffic as you navigate through various towns and cities along the way.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 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?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 39. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 122.7 miles in near US 51.
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 339.8 miles you will encounter 8 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 122.7 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 130.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 195.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
818 ft459 ft
Total Climb
403 ft
Total Descent
569 ft
Highest Point
818 ft
~121.4 mi in
Elevation Range
359 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cherry Valley, IL and Bremen, IL, road signs point toward Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur and Springfield.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 32m. Total distance: 339.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 32m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
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 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 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 122.7 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 130.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 195.1 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 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 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.
