Trip from Bremen, IL to Grafton, IL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 21m

Distance

104.2 mi

168 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min

4 AM

2h 11m ★

6 AM

2h 21m

8 AM

2h 40m

10 AM

2h 28m

12 PM

2h 26m

3 PM

2h 29m

5 PM

2h 39m

8 PM

2h 15m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Grafton, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Bremen, IL to Grafton, IL covers 104.2 miles and takes about 2h 21m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on IL 159, South State Street, Great River Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 19.2 miles on IL 159. At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.29 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

52.1 miles from Bremen, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 21m. Total distance: 104.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (55%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

The drive from Bremen, IL to Grafton, IL covers 104.2 miles and takes about 2h 21m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

IL 159 is the longest continuous segment at about 19.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 6.3 miles in near IL 3 / East Holmes Street.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 21m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 6.3 miles (IL 3 / East Holmes Street): Navigation decision point; at 51.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 60 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6.3 mi into trip | ~11m in | IL 3 / East Holmes Street

Turn right onto IL 3 / East Holmes Street

Navigation decision point

51.5 mi into trip | ~1h 12m in

Take the ramp

Navigation decision point

60 mi into trip | ~1h 22m in

Take the exit toward I 255 North, US 50 North: Chicago

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 255 North, US 50 North: Chicago

60.7 mi into trip | ~1h 23m in | I 255; US 50

Merge onto I 255; US 50

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

80.6 mi into trip | ~1h 46m in

Take the exit toward IL 143: Wood River, Edwardsville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 6 Toward IL 143: Wood River, Edwardsville

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 Bremen, IL to Grafton, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Edwardsville along the way.

Edwardsville

80.6 mi in | ~1h 46m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
IL 159	19.2 mi	28m
South State Street	17.7 mi	22m
Great River Road	14.3 mi	21m
I 255	13.2 mi	15m
IL 15	8.4 mi	9m
Lehmen Drive	7.8 mi	8m
IL 255	6.8 mi	7m
IL 150	6.1 mi	10m

Longest stretch: IL 159 — 19.2 mi, about 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Chester Road

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Chester Road

Turn slight right onto IL 150

6.1 mi · 10 min · IL 150

Turn right onto IL 3

0.5 mi · 32 sec · East Holmes Street

Continue on IL 3

7.8 mi · 8 min · Lehmen Drive

Continue on IL 3

18 mi · 22 min · South State Street

Continue on IL 159

19 mi · 28 min · IL 159

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Merge onto IL 15

8.4 mi · 9 min · IL 15

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 255 North, US 50 North: Chicago

Merge onto I 255; US 50

13 mi · 15 min · I 255; US 50

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on IL 255

6.8 mi · 7 min · IL 255

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Exit 6 Toward IL 143: Wood River, Edwardsville

Turn straight onto IL 143

1.6 mi · 2 min · Edwardsville Road

Continue on IL 143

1.7 mi · 2 min · Madison Avenue

Continue on IL 143

0.1 mi · 15 sec · West Ferguson Avenue

Continue on IL 143

4.1 mi · 4 min · River Heritage Parkway

Continue on US 67

0.9 mi · 1 min · Landmarks Boulevard

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto IL 100

0.3 mi · 24 sec · West Broadway

Continue on IL 100

14 mi · 21 min · Great River Road

Turn straight onto IL 100

0.3 mi · 30 sec · East Main Street

Turn right onto Oak Street

86 ft · 3 sec · Oak Street

Arrive at destination

Oak Street

Trip Plan

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 52.1 miles from Bremen, IL, or about 1h 13m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19.2 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 23 miles or 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 52.1 miles or 1h 13m 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 53m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Grafton, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Bremen, 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 Bremen, IL

This is one driving day of about 104.2 miles and 2h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Bremen, IL.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on IL 159 for about 19.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 52.1 mi from Bremen, IL · 1h 13m into the drive

city in and seat of St. Clair County, Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Belleville, IL

52 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

Campton, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Belleville, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 52.1 miles from Bremen, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Grafton, IL

The final approach into Grafton, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Grafton, IL.

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 end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 89.3

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+16184669796

Visit website

Joe K's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 89.3

Alton, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+16184669796

Visit website

Sonic Drive-In

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 74.5

Edwardsville, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+16186551281

Visit website

Sawmill BBQ Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 59.6

Sauget, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+16183323000

Visit website

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.29 one way

$32.58 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$17.89	$35.77
premium	$4.89	$20.05	$40.10
diesel	$5.61	$23.01	$46.01

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 36.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	31.3	$10.94	$5.00
Efficient EV	26.1	$9.12	$4.17
EV Truck/SUV	41.7	$14.59	$6.67

Gas CO2

36 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (67% 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 16, 2026

Origin

Bremen, IL

Evening in Bremen on Thursday

Local time

8:49 PM

CDT

Current temp

80°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 8 mph 32% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 12:33PM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 16 at 12:29PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL

Destination

Grafton, IL

Evening in Grafton on Thursday

Local time

8:49 PM

CDT

Current temp

79°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 cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 21m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Bremen, IL to Grafton, IL covers 104.2 miles and takes about 2h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are IL 159, South State Street, Great River Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 52.1 miles from Bremen, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.29 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

This is a straightforward 2h 21m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

On the drive from Bremen, IL to Grafton, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Edwardsville along the way.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Bremen, IL or browse trips ending in Grafton, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

Explore maps for Bremen, IL or Grafton, IL on MapSof.net.

Trip from Bremen, IL to Grafton, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Grafton, IL

Nearby Places

Joe K's Restaurant

Joe K's Restaurant

Sonic Drive-In

Sawmill BBQ Restaurant

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Bremen, IL

Grafton, IL

Same local time

1 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 21m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More

Continue From Grafton, IL

More from Bremen, IL

More trips to Grafton, IL