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Trip from Upper Alton, IL to Bremen, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 1m

Distance

90.2 mi

145 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 53m ★
6 AM
2h 1m
8 AM
2h 19m
10 AM
2h 7m
12 PM
2h 6m
3 PM
2h 8m
5 PM
2h 18m
8 PM
1h 56m

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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city in Madison County, Illinois, United States

Upper Alton, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 90.2-mile drive from Upper Alton, IL, to Bremen, IL, is a straightforward journey across the Midwest, easily accomplished in about 2 hours. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, it's an economical option for a day trip. The route primarily utilizes IL 3 and I 255, offering a mixed driving experience. Since it's a relatively short trip and doesn't require overnight stays, you have the flexibility to depart when it best suits your schedule. This drive keeps you within Illinois for its entirety, making for a simple, regional exploration.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

45.1 miles from Upper Alton, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
IL 3 23.3 mi 28m
I 255 14.9 mi 17m
New Missouri Avenue 8.8 mi 10m
Main Street 8 mi 11m
South Illinois Street 7.2 mi 10m
State Route 159 6.1 mi 9m
State Street 6.1 mi 10m
IL 255 5.6 mi 6m
Longest stretch: IL 3 — 23.3 mi, about 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Upper Alton, IL and Bremen, IL.

1

Start on Washington Avenue

0.3 mi · 26 sec · Washington Avenue
2

Turn right onto IL 3; IL 111

3.1 mi · 4 min · Homer M Adams Parkway
3

Continue on IL 3

0.2 mi · 18 sec · West Saint Louis Avenue
4

Keep slight right at fork onto IL 3

1.9 mi · 2 min · Lewis and Clark Boulevard
5

Turn left onto IL 143

176 ft · 11 sec · West Madison Avenue
6

Turn straight onto IL 143

0.1 mi · 11 sec · West Ferguson Avenue
7

Continue on IL 143

1.7 mi · 2 min · West Madison Avenue
8

Continue on IL 143

1.3 mi · 1 min · East Edwardsville Road
9

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Toward IL 255 South
10

Merge onto IL 255

5.6 mi · 6 min · IL 255
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I 255

15 mi · 17 min · I 255
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Exit 17A Toward IL 15 East: Belleville Use the right lane.
13

Continue on IL 15

8.8 mi · 10 min · New Missouri Avenue
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec
15

Keep slight right at fork

150 ft · 3 sec
16

Turn right onto IL 159

7.2 mi · 10 min · South Illinois Street
17

Continue on IL 159

6.1 mi · 9 min · State Route 159
18

Continue on IL 156; IL 159

0.2 mi · 19 sec · North Main Street
19

Continue on IL 159

0.2 mi · 13 sec · N Main St
20

Continue on IL 159

8.0 mi · 11 min · Main Street
21

Continue on IL 3

23 mi · 28 min · IL 3
22

Turn left onto IL 150

6.1 mi · 10 min · State Street
23

Turn slight left onto Chester Road

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Chester Road
24

Arrive at destination

Chester Road

Trip Plan

For this 2-hour trip, leaving any time of day works well, offering flexibility. With no designated stops, you can easily manage your own breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before heading out, as the estimated cost is $14. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of the transition points between IL 3 and I 255; these can sometimes involve traffic or require careful merging. Since the drive is under 100 miles, you'll arrive with plenty of time to spare for your onward journey or activities.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 45.1 miles from Upper Alton, IL, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.3 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 20 miles or 26m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 45.1 miles or 58m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 37m

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 Upper Alton, 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 Upper Alton, IL

This is one driving day of about 90.2 miles and 2h 1m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Upper Alton, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on IL 3 for about 23.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Freeburg, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Freeburg, IL

45 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Caseyville, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Freeburg, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 45.1 miles from Upper Alton, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Joe K's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Alton, Illinois

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+16184669796

Visit website

Joe K's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Alton, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+16184669796

Visit website

Sonic Drive-In

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 12.9

Edwardsville, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+16186551281

Visit website

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour Moderately mile 12.9

Edwardsville, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16186595060

Visit website

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 3.6 and 38.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
3.6 mi into trip | ~5m in | IL 3 / Lewis and Clark Boulevard

Keep slight right at fork onto IL 3 / Lewis and Clark Boulevard

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

3
8.6 mi into trip | ~13m in

Take the ramp toward IL 255 South

Navigation decision point

Toward IL 255 South
5
9 mi into trip | ~14m in | IL 255

Merge onto IL 255

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
29.5 mi into trip | ~37m in

Take the exit toward IL 15 East: Belleville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Exit 17A Toward IL 15 East: Belleville
5
38.8 mi into trip | ~49m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.10 one way

$28.20 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 32 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $15.48 $30.97
premium $4.89 $17.36 $34.72
diesel $5.61 $19.92 $39.83

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 31.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 27.1 0 $9.47 $4.33
Efficient EV 22.6 0 $7.89 $3.61
EV Truck/SUV 36.1 0 $12.63 $5.77

Gas CO2

32 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 15, 2026

Origin

Upper Alton, IL

Morning in Upper Alton on Sunday

Local time

6:56 AM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bremen, IL

Morning in Bremen on Sunday

Local time

6:56 AM

CDT

Current temp

78°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

1 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

2h 1m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

The drive to Bremen features a 59% highway share, meaning you'll experience a blend of faster-paced travel and local road navigation. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 23.3 miles on IL 3. Expect the road character to shift as you transition between these different types of thoroughfares. This mixed profile suggests a dynamic drive that requires attention as you move from potentially quicker highway sections to more varied local routes.

59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 23.3 mi on IL 3.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.6 miles in near IL 3 / Lewis and Clark Boulevard.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 90.2 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 3.6 miles (IL 3 / Lewis and Clark Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 8.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 9 miles (IL 255): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

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 2h 1m. Total distance: 90.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (59%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 23.3 miles on IL 3. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 3.6 miles (IL 3 / Lewis and Clark Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 8.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 9 miles (IL 255): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bremen, IL before heading back.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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