This 334.6-mile journey from Oakbrook Terrace, IL, to Bremen, IL, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 6 hours and 35 minutes. You'll primarily be on I-55 and the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, with a brief section on IL-3, making it a highway-focused drive through the Midwest. With a fuel cost estimated at $52, this route is efficient for those looking to cover ground quickly. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 142.7 miles, so plan for at least one stop to break up the drive. It's a straightforward trip that's manageable within a day.
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
167.3 miles from Oakbrook Terrace, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
142.7 mi
2h 34m
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
116.9 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
Kingery Highway
7.1 mi
10m
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 Oakbrook Terrace, IL and Bremen, IL.
1
Start on Halsey Road
403 ft·18 sec·Halsey Road
2
Turn right onto Karban Road
0.1 mi·30 sec·Karban Road
3
Turn left onto MacArthur Drive
0.1 mi·31 sec·MacArthur Drive
4
Turn left onto West 22nd Street
0.3 mi·37 sec·West 22nd Street
5
Turn right onto IL 83
7.1 mi·10 min·Kingery Highway
Use the right lane.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 55 South: JolietUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 55
117 mi·2 hr 10 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
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.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Exit 15AToward IL 159 South: Collinsville
11
Continue on IL 159
3.0 mi·4 min·Vandalia Street
12
Continue on IL 159
1.3 mi·1 min·South Morrison Avenue
13
Continue on IL 159
9.8 mi·15 min·North Illinois Street
14
Enter roundabout onto IL 159
181 ft·4 sec·South Illinois Street
15
Continue on IL 159
8.3 mi·12 min·South Illinois Street
16
Continue on IL 159
6.1 mi·9 min·State Route 159
17
Continue on IL 156; IL 159
0.2 mi·19 sec·North Main Street
18
Continue on IL 159
0.2 mi·13 sec·N Main St
19
Continue on IL 159
8.0 mi·11 min·Main Street
20
Continue on IL 3
23 mi·28 min·IL 3
21
Turn left onto IL 150
6.1 mi·10 min·State Street
22
Turn slight left onto Chester Road
0.2 mi·34 sec·Chester Road
23
Arrive at destination
Chester Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour and 35-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Oakbrook Terrace to avoid potential traffic. With a longest stretch of 142.7 miles, plan for at least one substantial stop for fuel and a break. The estimated fuel cost of $52 makes budgeting straightforward. Given the highway-centric nature and the single recommended day, flexibility is key. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 142.7-mile segment on I-55 to ensure a smooth journey to Bremen.
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 167.3 miles from Oakbrook Terrace, IL, or about 3h 9m 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 74 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 167.3 miles or 3h 9m 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 9m
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 Oakbrook Terrace, 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 Oakbrook Terrace, IL
This is one driving day of about 334.6 miles and 6h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Oakbrook Terrace, 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 190 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|MacArthur Drive
Turn left onto MacArthur Drive
Navigation decision point
6
7.7 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward I 55 South: Joliet
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South: Joliet
5
8.2 mi into trip|~14m in|I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge onto I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
125.2 mi into trip|~2h 24m 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
190 mi into trip|~3h 34m 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
$52.31 one way
$104.62 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg117 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$57.44
$114.87
premium
$4.89
$64.39
$128.78
diesel
$5.61
$73.88
$147.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 117.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
100.4
1
$35.13
$16.06
Efficient EV
83.7
0
$29.28
$13.38
EV Truck/SUV
133.8
1
$46.84
$21.41
Gas CO2
117 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026
Origin
Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Morning
in Oakbrook Terrace on Sunday
Local time
8:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bremen, IL
Morning
in Bremen on Sunday
Local time
8:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Clear
W 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 10:25PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 10:23PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
78°F
Springfield, IL
167 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
31 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 35m 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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 184.6
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...
21 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 11.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect an 86% highway-focused experience on this route. The majority of your time will be spent on I-55 and the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, offering a consistent pace for most of the 334.6 miles. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 142.7 miles, allowing for significant mileage to be covered without frequent exits. While largely a highway drive, the inclusion of IL-3 offers a slight variation in the road's character as you progress towards Bremen. This profile suggests a drive where efficiency is key.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 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 Adlai Stevenson Expressway. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near MacArthur Drive.
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 334.6 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.2 miles (MacArthur Drive): Navigation decision point; at 7.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.2 miles (I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
On the drive from Oakbrook Terrace, IL to Bremen, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 35m. Total distance: 334.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 35m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). 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 0.2 miles (MacArthur Drive): Navigation decision point; at 7.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.2 miles (I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.2 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.
