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Trip from Glendale Heights, IL to Bremen, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 39m

Distance

339.2 mi

546 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$53

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
6h 28m ★
6 AM
6h 40m
8 AM
7h 4m
10 AM
6h 48m
12 PM
6h 46m
3 PM
6h 50m
5 PM
7h 3m
8 PM
6h 33m

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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Downtown Glendale Heights, IL, IL

Glendale Heights, IL

Choco Kitty

Trip Overview

This 339.2-mile drive from Glendale Heights, IL, to Bremen, IL, is a solid one-day trip, estimated to take about 6 hours and 39 minutes. It's a highway-focused journey, with 84% of the route on major interstates, making it an efficient way to cover ground. You'll spend most of your time on I-55 and the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, with a portion on IL-3. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $52. Both your origin and destination are within the Midwest region, offering a consistent feel throughout the drive. This route is best suited for those prioritizing speed and directness over leisurely sightseeing.

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

169.6 miles from Glendale Heights, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 12m 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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Glendale Heights, IL and Bremen, IL.

1

Start on Highland Avenue

83 ft · 10 sec · Highland Avenue
2

Turn left onto Winthrop Avenue

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Winthrop Avenue
3

At end of road, turn right onto Glen Ellyn Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · Glen Ellyn Road
4

Turn left onto IL 64

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Avenue
Use the left lane.
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet Use the right lane.
6

Continue on this road

0.4 mi · 57 sec · this road
Toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet
7

Merge onto I 355

15 mi · 18 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Exit 12A Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward Joliet Road South Use the slight left lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto I 55

112 mi · 2 hr 2 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

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.
13

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.
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 47 sec
Exit 15A Toward IL 159 South: Collinsville
15

Continue on IL 159

3.0 mi · 4 min · Vandalia Street
16

Continue on IL 159

1.3 mi · 1 min · South Morrison Avenue
17

Continue on IL 159

9.8 mi · 15 min · North Illinois Street
18

Enter roundabout onto IL 159

181 ft · 4 sec · South Illinois Street
19

Continue on IL 159

8.3 mi · 12 min · South Illinois Street
20

Continue on IL 159

6.1 mi · 9 min · State Route 159
21

Continue on IL 156; IL 159

0.2 mi · 19 sec · North Main Street
22

Continue on IL 159

0.2 mi · 13 sec · N Main St
23

Continue on IL 159

8.0 mi · 11 min · Main Street
24

Continue on IL 3

23 mi · 28 min · IL 3
25

Turn left onto IL 150

6.1 mi · 10 min · State Street
26

Turn slight left onto Chester Road

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Chester Road
27

Arrive at destination

Chester Road

Trip Plan

Given the 6-hour and 39-minute estimated duration, this route is comfortably manageable as a single-day trip. To make the most of your drive, consider departing in the morning to avoid potential rush hour traffic around the Chicago metropolitan area, especially as you begin on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway. With an estimated fuel cost of $52, it's wise to check your fuel levels before leaving Glendale Heights. Since the longest stretch without a significant road change is over 140 miles, plan for a break around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. Keep an eye out for the transition from the major interstates to IL-3, as this marks a shift in the driving experience.

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 169.6 miles from Glendale Heights, IL, or about 3h 12m 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 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 169.6 miles or 3h 12m 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 14m

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 Glendale Heights, 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 Glendale Heights, IL

This is one driving day of about 339.2 miles and 6h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Glendale Heights, 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.

capital city of Illinois and county seat of Sangamon County

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Springfield, IL

170 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.

Popular next leg

Springfield, IL to Bremen, IL

148.9 mi · 3h 10m

Pacing Suggestions

Normal, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 75 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Decatur, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 169.6 miles from Glendale Heights, 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 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.

Best meal stop · final third

RT 138 Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Mt Olive, Illinois

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third · 1h 54m to go 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+12179992115

Visit website

Bloomin Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Normal, Illinois

0.8 mi

Nay Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Glendale Heights, Illinois

1 mi

Best coffee break

Shibam Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Glendale Heights, Illinois

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+12244487577

Visit website

RT 138 Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Mt Olive, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+12179992115

Visit website

Bloomin Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Normal, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+13098081071

Visit website

Nay Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Glendale Heights, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+16308683744

Visit website

Pizza Ranch

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+12176798844

Visit website

Fort Jesse Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Normal, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13094515656

Visit website

McDonald's Glendale Heights-O’Keefe Family Restaurants

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour Inexpensiv

Glendale Heights, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16308719007

Visit website

Coffeehouse in Uptown Normal

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Normal, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+13094526774

Visit website

Mimi's Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately

Wilmington, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+17798756475

Visit website

Shibam Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Glendale Heights, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+12244487577

Visit website

Ten Drops Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Plainfield, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+16306962137

Visit website

Emmys Cafe & Gaming

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour

Braidwood, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+18153905133

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Rivian Waypoints

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484261

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484273

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Normal, Illinois

+13094549590

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Atlanta, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Visit website

The Wine Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30

Wilmington, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+18154769009

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 17.4 and 194.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
17.4 mi into trip | ~24m 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
17.6 mi into trip | ~25m 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
18 mi into trip | ~25m 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
129.7 mi into trip | ~2h 28m 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
194.5 mi into trip | ~3h 39m 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

$53.03 one way

$106.06 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 119 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $58.22 $116.45
premium $4.89 $65.28 $130.55
diesel $5.61 $74.89 $149.78

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

$53

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$79–$104

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 118.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 101.8 1 $35.62 $16.28
Efficient EV 84.8 0 $29.68 $13.57
EV Truck/SUV 135.7 1 $47.49 $21.71

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 Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Glendale Heights, IL

Late night in Glendale Heights on Tuesday

Local time

5:51 AM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bremen, IL

Late night in Bremen on Tuesday

Local time

5:51 AM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

71°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

10 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 39m 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

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 ~9 min detour Free near mile 187.1
View on nps.gov
Pullman National Historical Park

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...

24 mi from route ~60 min detour Free near mile 11.7
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 the majority of this 339.2-mile journey, with 84% of your travel time spent on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 142.7 miles on I-55, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While the primary roads are interstates like I-55 and the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, you will transition to IL-3 for a portion of the trip. This mix means you'll experience the efficiency of high-speed travel but also a slight change in scenery and road conditions as you move from the major expressways to the state highway.

84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 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 17.4 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 339.2 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 17.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Glendale Heights, IL and Bremen, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis, Joliet Road South and Springfield.

Saint Louis

17.4 mi in | ~24m

Joliet Road South

17.6 mi in | ~25m

Springfield

129.7 mi in | ~2h 28m | via I 55

About the Cities

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 39m. Total distance: 339.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 39m 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.

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 17.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18 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 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.3 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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