Pizza Ranch
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Springfield, Illinois
Hours: 11 am–8 pm
+12176798844
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 38m
Distance
337 mi
542 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lombard, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Lombard, IL to Bremen, IL is 337 miles and takes about 6h 38m via I 55 and IL 3, with a fuel budget near $51 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, entirely within Illinois, making it a straightforward drive. Given its duration and mostly highway profile, it's a good option if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, so plan for standard highway driving conditions. It's entirely doable in a single day, so you can leave when you're ready and arrive at your destination the same evening.
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
168.5 miles from Lombard, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 11m into the drive .
| 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 | 11.5 mi | 14m |
| 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 |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 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
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Lombard, IL and Bremen, IL.
Start on South Grace Street
Turn right onto East Madison Street
Turn left onto South Main Street
Turn right onto IL 38
Turn left
Merge onto I 355
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
Take the exit
Continue on IL 159
Continue on IL 159
Continue on IL 159
Enter roundabout onto IL 159
Continue on IL 159
Continue on IL 159
Continue on IL 156; IL 159
Continue on IL 159
Continue on IL 159
Continue on IL 3
Turn left onto IL 150
Turn slight left onto Chester Road
Arrive at destination
For this 6h 38m drive, starting in the morning will give you ample daylight to complete the 337 miles. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but consider leaving by mid-morning to avoid heavy commuter traffic if you depart from the Chicago area. There's one recommended stop, so plan to use that break strategically around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 142.7-mile stretch on I 55, as services can sometimes be spaced out on longer interstate segments. The estimated fuel cost is $51, so budget accordingly.
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.
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 74 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 168.5 miles or 3h 11m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bremen, IL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Lombard, 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 Lombard, IL
This is one driving day of about 337 miles and 6h 38m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
169 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.
A short stop after about 74 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 168.5 miles from Lombard, 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.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best meal stop · around the midpoint
Springfield, Illinois
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Hours: 11 am–8 pm
+12176798844
Simon's Restaurant
Villa Park, Illinois
Route 66 Polk-A-Dot Drive In
Braidwood, Illinois
Best coffee break · final third
Mt Olive, Illinois
Later in the drive, right off the route
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
+12179992115
Bloomin Cafe
Normal, Illinois
Jerusalem Cafe - Restaurant and Grill - Lombard
Lombard, Illinois
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Springfield, Illinois
Hours: 11 am–8 pm
+12176798844
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Villa Park, Illinois
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+16305300200
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Braidwood, Illinois
Hours: 11 am–7 pm
+18154583377
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Troy, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
+16186671082
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Plainfield, Illinois
Hours: 11 am–7:30 pm
+18157826500
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Springfield, Illinois
Hours: 4:30–8:30 pm
+12176792006
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Oak Brook, Illinois
Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm
+16305738180
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+16305722200
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Mt Olive, Illinois
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
+12179992115
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Normal, Illinois
Hours: 7 am–1 pm
+13098081071
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Lombard, Illinois
Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm
+16306296400
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Diamond, Illinois
Hours: 5 am–9 pm
+18156342360
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Plainfield, Illinois
Hours: 6 am–5 pm
+16306962137
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Normal, Illinois
Hours: 7 am–6 pm
+13094526774
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Diamond, Illinois
Hours: 6 am–3 pm
+18155185576
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Normal, Illinois
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+13094515656
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Normal, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Normal, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887484261
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Normal, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887484273
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Normal, Illinois
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Atlanta, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
Around the midpoint, short detour
Normal, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Normal, Illinois
+13094549590
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Normal, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the start, ~10 min detour
Wilmington, Illinois
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+18159262726
Visit websiteNear the start, ~11 min detour
Romeoville, Illinois
Hours: 7:30 am–9 pm
+18155243248
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.2 and 127.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet
Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight left at fork toward Joliet Road South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Regular Gas
$51.41 one way
$102.82 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.27 | $56.63 | $113.25 |
| premium | $4.81 | $63.76 | $127.53 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $71.69 | $143.37 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.81
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: 117.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 101.1 | 1 | $35.39 | $16.18 |
| Efficient EV | 84.3 | 0 | $29.49 | $13.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 134.8 | 1 | $47.18 | $21.57 |
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
39 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Lombard on Sunday
Local time
9:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Bremen on Sunday
Local time
9:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Clear
63°F
Springfield, IL
169 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This route is predominantly highway, with 84% of the drive on interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 142.7 miles on I 55, which means you'll be on high-speed roads for a significant portion of your travel. The transition to surface roads will likely occur as you approach your destination in Bremen, IL. Expect a consistent driving pace with frequent exits on the interstate sections.
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 3.2 miles in.
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 337 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 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 15.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Lombard, IL to Bremen, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
Springfield
Founded 1869
Lombard is a suburb of Chicago in Illinois and is considered part of Chicagoland. Lombard is a small town with a tight-knit community built around its high schools and the downtown Lombard culture. Residents of Lombard are very friendly and familial and willing to guide tourists to various locations in Chicago and Chicagoland.
Top landmarks
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 38m. Total distance: 337 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 38m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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