Sonic Drive-In
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Edwardsville, Illinois
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+16186551281
Visit websiteLast recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 51m
Distance
83.8 mi
135 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wood River, IL
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Bremen, IL to Wood River, IL covers 83.8 miles and takes about 1h 51m 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, I 255 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 19.2 miles on IL 159. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.10 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
41.9 miles from Bremen, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 51m. Total distance: 83.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (64%). Straightforward navigation.
This is a 1h 51m highway drive covering 83.8 miles, with most of the trip on IL 159 and South State Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 19.2 miles on IL 159.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on IL 159 and South State Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 51.5 miles in.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 51m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 60.7 miles (I 255; US 50): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
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
Merge onto I 255; US 50
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward IL 143: Wood River, Edwardsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto East Ferguson Avenue
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| IL 159 | 19.2 mi | 28m |
| South State Street | 17.7 mi | 22m |
| 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 |
| Edwardsville Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Bremen, IL and Wood River, IL.
Start on Chester Road
Turn slight right onto IL 150
Turn right onto IL 3
Continue on IL 3
Continue on IL 3
Continue on IL 159
Take the ramp
Merge onto IL 15
Take the exit
Merge onto I 255; US 50
Continue on IL 255
Take the exit
Turn straight onto IL 143
Continue on IL 143
Turn slight right
Turn slight right onto South Wood River Avenue
Turn right onto East Ferguson Avenue
Arrive at destination
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.
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 18 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.9 miles or 57m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wood River, IL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Bremen, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bremen, IL
This is one driving day of about 83.8 miles and 1h 51m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 41.9 mi from Bremen, IL · 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 41.9 miles from Bremen, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Wood River, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Edwardsville, Illinois
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+16186551281
Visit websiteNear the end, ~12 min detour
Edwardsville, Illinois
Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm
+16186559880
Visit websiteNear the end, ~12 min detour
Edwardsville, Illinois
Hours: 10:30 am–12 pm
+16186921515
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Regular Gas
$13.10 one way
$26.20 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $14.38 | $28.77 |
| premium | $4.89 | $16.13 | $32.25 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.50 | $37.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.3 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 | 25.1 | 0 | $8.80 | $4.02 |
| Efficient EV | 21 | 0 | $7.33 | $3.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.5 | 0 | $11.73 | $5.36 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Bremen on Thursday
Local time
10:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Wood River on Thursday
Local time
10:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
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
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.
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