This 262.3-mile drive from Knoxville, Illinois, to Bremen, Illinois, is designed for a single day, taking an estimated 5 hours and 9 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing major interstates, 84% of this journey is highway driving, making it a straightforward trip through the Midwest. With a projected fuel cost of around $41, it’s an economical option for a quick getaway or transit. You'll encounter one recommended stop along the way, allowing for a brief pause during the roughly 5-hour drive. This route is ideal for those prioritizing efficiency and direct travel between these two Illinois communities.
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
131.1 miles from Knoxville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
111.9 mi
2h 1m
I 74
33.8 mi
36m
I 155
31.8 mi
34m
IL 3
23.3 mi
28m
I 474
13.8 mi
14m
North Illinois Street
9.8 mi
15m
South Illinois Street
8.3 mi
12m
Main Street
8 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 111.9 mi, about 2h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville, IL and Bremen, IL.
1
Start on North Market Street
129 ft·10 sec·North Market Street
2
Turn left onto US 150
1.8 mi·2 min·East Main Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 150
0.3 mi·23 sec·US 150 / IL 97
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 74 East: Peoria
5
Merge onto I 74
32 mi·34 min·I 74
6
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 474 East: Indianapolis
7
Merge onto I 474
14 mi·14 min·I 474
8
Merge onto I 74
1.4 mi·1 min·I 74
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 155 South: Lincoln
10
Continue on I 155
32 mi·34 min·I 155
11
Merge onto I 55
34 mi·37 min·I 55
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Exit 15AToward IL 159 South: Collinsville
14
Continue on IL 159
3.0 mi·4 min·Vandalia Street
15
Continue on IL 159
1.3 mi·1 min·South Morrison Avenue
16
Continue on IL 159
9.8 mi·15 min·North Illinois Street
17
Enter roundabout onto IL 159
181 ft·4 sec·South Illinois Street
18
Continue on IL 159
8.3 mi·12 min·South Illinois Street
19
Continue on IL 159
6.1 mi·9 min·State Route 159
20
Continue on IL 156; IL 159
0.2 mi·19 sec·North Main Street
21
Continue on IL 159
0.2 mi·13 sec·N Main St
22
Continue on IL 159
8.0 mi·11 min·Main Street
23
Continue on IL 3
23 mi·28 min·IL 3
24
Turn left onto IL 150
6.1 mi·10 min·State Street
25
Turn slight left onto Chester Road
0.2 mi·34 sec·Chester Road
26
Arrive at destination
Chester Road
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, starting early from Knoxville, IL, will allow you to reach Bremen, IL, with ample daylight. The route is designed for a single day, and with only one stop suggested, you can easily manage your time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before the longest stretch of 111.9 miles on I-55, as services can be spaced out on interstates. The $41 fuel estimate is a helpful budget point, but always factor in potential fluctuations. This efficient drive allows for flexibility in your departure time.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 131.1 miles from Knoxville, IL, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.9 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 58 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.1 miles or 2h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 3m
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 Knoxville, 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 Knoxville, IL
This is one driving day of about 262.3 miles and 5h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Knoxville, 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 111.9 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 195.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.8 mi into trip|~2m in|US 150 / US 150 / IL 97
At end of road, turn left onto US 150 / US 150 / IL 97
Navigation decision point
5
2.1 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 74 East: Peoria
Navigation decision point
Toward I 74 East: Peoria
5
83.6 mi into trip|~1h 31m in|I 55
Merge onto I 55
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
117.6 mi into trip|~2h 8m 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
5
195.5 mi into trip|~3h 32m in
Take the exit toward IL 159 South: Collinsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 15A
Toward IL 159 South: Collinsville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.01 one way
$82.02 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$45.02
$90.05
premium
$4.89
$50.48
$100.95
diesel
$5.61
$57.91
$115.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.7
0
$27.54
$12.59
Efficient EV
65.6
0
$22.95
$10.49
EV Truck/SUV
104.9
1
$36.72
$16.79
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Knoxville, IL
Afternoon
in Knoxville on Saturday
Local time
1:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bremen, IL
Afternoon
in Bremen on Saturday
Local time
1:33 PM
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
26 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
5h 9m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 117.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this 262.3-mile route, with 84% of the drive on interstates like I-55, I-74, and I-155. The journey includes a significant uninterrupted stretch of 111.9 miles on I-55, offering a chance for steady progress. While largely consisting of fast-paced interstate travel, the character of the drive remains consistent, emphasizing direct transit over varied scenery. This highway-centric profile means you’ll be covering ground efficiently for most of the trip.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.9 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 74. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in near US 150 / US 150 / IL 97.
Driving Effort6/10
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 262.3 miles you will encounter 13 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 1.8 miles (US 150 / US 150 / IL 97): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 83.6 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 9m. Total distance: 262.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111.9 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles (US 150 / US 150 / IL 97): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 83.6 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
