Traveling through IL - tolls? (Chicago, Chester: how much, construction, moving)

[no8fann]

Can someone tell me what I can expect for a total on the toll roads (staying on I-90 all the way through)? We are traveling through the state in a couple of weeks, and I need to know how much to budget for a car and a small moving truck (6 wheels). I tried the tollway website, but I am not sure the totals I am getting cover just the Chicago area or the entire state. TIA!

[chet everett]

The plazas in BOLD on this list are the one that you have to pay just for using the road, the non-bold are the exits: Toll Rates (http://www.illinoistollway.com/portal/page?_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&_pageid=133,149518 5 - broken link)

Double check the route against a google map:
from: I-39 S/I-90 E to: Gary IN - Google Maps


Depending on when you are traveling it may make sense to use other routes...

[no8fann]

Originally Posted by chet everett

Depending on when you are traveling it may make sense to use other routes...

Can you elaborate? We are planning to travel through the area on June 16 at about 5-6 am. Would we be looking at problems at that time of day? Is there construction? Why would it make sense to use other routes (and what would those be?)?

[Drover]

Where exactly are you coming from and where are you going to?

6am is when rush hour starts to build. You'll be better off using 294 to go around the center of the city. If you reach the metro area any later than 6am, you may even be better off using 355 to skate around the city.

Does anyone know what's going on with I-80 construction and what that's doing to traffic?

[Chicago60614]

As far as I know I-80 is up to 8-10 lanes and consturction is complete.

I agree I'd just take I-294 around the city if you're coming on a weekday. If it's early enough you could just take 90 straight through, maybe save a few dollars, although the Skyway Bridge toll will probably eat any savings you might get from avoiding 294.

[Drover]

I thought there was some portion of I-80 that's torn up until July or something?

It's so hard to keep up with what's torn up around here on any given day.

[linicx]

I would leave an hour earlier and figure $6 a toll minimum. As far as I know, the only toll roads in Illinois are around Chicago and also the Indiana border by Chicago.

I do not know where you are leaving from or your destination - or how far you want to drive out of your way to avoid toll roads. If we knew, it is possible someone could map a different route - although it doesn't seem very likely if you are near the Wisconsin border. . . .

[no8fann]

Originally Posted by linicx

I would leave an hour earlier and figure $6 a toll minimum. As far as I know, the only toll roads in Illinois are around Chicago and also the Indiana border by Chicago.

I do not know where you are leaving from or your destination - or how far you want to drive out of your way to avoid toll roads. If we knew, it is possible someone could map a different route - although it doesn't seem very likely if you are near the Wisconsin border. . . .

Thanks for the info, everyone! It sounds like we will probably stick with the I-90 route, and plan on leaving pretty early from Chesterton, IN (we will be spending the night at the Lake). We will be going through IL into WI, so it's probably the most direct route, barring major construction!

[linicx]

I sent a second message.