Illinois Tollway Notes

[SSOWorld]

Why does ISTHA sign some exits so far in advance? At the IL-47 interchange there's a sign that says "Genoa Road 22 Miles" . Why? And why that exit specifically? IL-23 is a more important interchange, and it's much closer to IL-47.

Genoa Road is signed instead of IL 23 at IL 47 because the IL 23 interchange only opened in the past few years and ISTHA hasn't changed the signs.


As to the earlier discussion on shunpike options for the tollways:

* I-355 north of I-55:  IL 83 (mix of expressway, freeway, and arterial roads) ALSO I-294 from I-90 to I-55

I-90 form about IL-25 to end of toll road

IL-72
just defeated your purpose - unless you mean I-290

[SSOWorld]

Why does ISTHA sign some exits so far in advance? At the IL-47 interchange there's a sign that says "Genoa Road 22 Miles" . Why? And why that exit specifically? IL-23 is a more important interchange, and it's much closer to IL-47. US-20's Marengo exit is also signed at IL-47, and even that isn't needed. For "minor"  exits such as these, two BGSes in total is enough: one 1-2 miles away, and one right at the exit.

ISTHA signs the next exit, no matter how far away it is located.  Personally, I prefer it to having a silly "Next Exit x Miles" sign.

Which - at US-20 - is now what you have.  Next Exit - 6 Miles.  NO mention of IL-23.

IL-47 and IL-23 make zero mention of a next exit.

[JoePCool14]

Why does ISTHA sign some exits so far in advance? At the IL-47 interchange there’s a sign that says “Genoa Road 22 Miles”. Why? And why that exit specifically? IL-23 is a more important interchange, and it’s much closer to IL-47. US-20’s Marengo exit is also signed at IL-47, and even that isn’t needed. For “minor” exits such as these, two BGSes in total is enough: one 1-2 miles away, and one right at the exit.

ISTHA signs the next exit, no matter how far away it is located.  Personally, I prefer it to having a silly "Next Exit x Miles" sign.

Which - at US-20 - is now what you have.  Next Exit - 6 Miles.  NO mention of IL-23.

IL-47 and IL-23 make zero mention of a next exit.

All those problems are related to the IL-23 exit being added after the fact. Unfortunately, the signage wasn't really thought through particularly well. For instance, the signs at the exit have "EXIT ONLY" on them for no reason... while also being ground mounted.

As for describing exits far away, that's standard ISTHA fare to display the exit you're at, as well as the next two. You can see the same deal on I-94 north of I-294, for instance.

[ET21]

Why does ISTHA sign some exits so far in advance? At the IL-47 interchange there's a sign that says "Genoa Road 22 Miles" . Why? And why that exit specifically? IL-23 is a more important interchange, and it's much closer to IL-47. US-20's Marengo exit is also signed at IL-47, and even that isn't needed. For "minor"  exits such as these, two BGSes in total is enough: one 1-2 miles away, and one right at the exit.

ISTHA signs the next exit, no matter how far away it is located.  Personally, I prefer it to having a silly "Next Exit x Miles" sign.

Which - at US-20 - is now what you have.  Next Exit - 6 Miles.  NO mention of IL-23.

IL-47 and IL-23 make zero mention of a next exit.

The signage hasn't been updated as IL-23 just opened up fully either last year or 2019.

[SSOWorld]

Why does ISTHA sign some exits so far in advance? At the IL-47 interchange there's a sign that says "Genoa Road 22 Miles" . Why? And why that exit specifically? IL-23 is a more important interchange, and it's much closer to IL-47. US-20's Marengo exit is also signed at IL-47, and even that isn't needed. For "minor"  exits such as these, two BGSes in total is enough: one 1-2 miles away, and one right at the exit.

ISTHA signs the next exit, no matter how far away it is located.  Personally, I prefer it to having a silly "Next Exit x Miles" sign.

Which - at US-20 - is now what you have.  Next Exit - 6 Miles.  NO mention of IL-23.

IL-47 and IL-23 make zero mention of a next exit.

The signage hasn't been updated as IL-23 just opened up fully either last year or 2019.

When was the last time you drove that road?

[KMOX4]

Why does ISTHA sign some exits so far in advance? At the IL-47 interchange there's a sign that says "Genoa Road 22 Miles" . Why? And why that exit specifically? IL-23 is a more important interchange, and it's much closer to IL-47.

Genoa Road is signed instead of IL 23 at IL 47 because the IL 23 interchange only opened in the past few years and ISTHA hasn't changed the signs.


As to the earlier discussion on shunpike options for the tollways:

* I-94/northern Tri-State:  US 41 (expressway/high type arterial route)

* I-355 north of I-55:  IL 83 (mix of expressway, freeway, and arterial roads)

* I-355 south of I-55:  Not really a good option here, though IL 83, IL 171, and Bell Road partially work.

* I-88 east of Aurora:  IL 56/Butterfield Road (lots of signals)

* I-88 west of Aurora:  US 30 (lots of slow towns east of I-39, not as bad west of I-39) or IL 38 (very slow through DeKalb and Rochelle)

* I-90 west of I-290 to Rockford:  US 20 (lots of signals in the urbanized portions and multiple 30 mph sections through towns west of Elgin)

* I-39/I-90:  Perryville Road, IL 173, and IL 251 (lots of signals) or Business 20 and IL 76 (if coming from the east, lots of signals around Belvidere)

* The I-80/I-294 joint section:  Usually worth just paying the toll over the numerous photo-enforced signals on US 6

This will help alot of people who dont want to get I-PASS

[thspfc]

Why does ISTHA sign some exits so far in advance? At the IL-47 interchange there's a sign that says "Genoa Road 22 Miles" . Why? And why that exit specifically? IL-23 is a more important interchange, and it's much closer to IL-47.

Genoa Road is signed instead of IL 23 at IL 47 because the IL 23 interchange only opened in the past few years and ISTHA hasn't changed the signs.


As to the earlier discussion on shunpike options for the tollways:

* I-94/northern Tri-State:  US 41 (expressway/high type arterial route)

* I-355 north of I-55:  IL 83 (mix of expressway, freeway, and arterial roads)

* I-355 south of I-55:  Not really a good option here, though IL 83, IL 171, and Bell Road partially work.

* I-88 east of Aurora:  IL 56/Butterfield Road (lots of signals)

* I-88 west of Aurora:  US 30 (lots of slow towns east of I-39, not as bad west of I-39) or IL 38 (very slow through DeKalb and Rochelle)

* I-90 west of I-290 to Rockford:  US 20 (lots of signals in the urbanized portions and multiple 30 mph sections through towns west of Elgin)

* I-39/I-90:  Perryville Road, IL 173, and IL 251 (lots of signals) or Business 20 and IL 76 (if coming from the east, lots of signals around Belvidere)

* The I-80/I-294 joint section:  Usually worth just paying the toll over the numerous photo-enforced signals on US 6

This will help alot of people who dont want to get I-PASS

Surely the extra amount of gas money you need to shunpike is more than the cost of I-Pass, right?

[KMOX4]

Yeah, but isnt getting one a arm and  a leg.

[SSOWorld]

Why does ISTHA sign some exits so far in advance? At the IL-47 interchange there's a sign that says "Genoa Road 22 Miles" . Why? And why that exit specifically? IL-23 is a more important interchange, and it's much closer to IL-47. US-20's Marengo exit is also signed at IL-47, and even that isn't needed. For "minor"  exits such as these, two BGSes in total is enough: one 1-2 miles away, and one right at the exit.

ISTHA signs the next exit, no matter how far away it is located.  Personally, I prefer it to having a silly "Next Exit x Miles" sign.

Which - at US-20 - is now what you have.  Next Exit - 6 Miles.  NO mention of IL-23.

IL-47 and IL-23 make zero mention of a next exit.

The signage hasn't been updated as IL-23 just opened up fully either last year or 2019.

When was the last time you drove that road?

Never mind, just saw the one 47 is still what you said..

[ilpt4u]

Yeah, but isnt getting one a arm and  a leg.

Getting an I-Pass an arm and a leg?!?

What, $50 ($40 in tolls and $10 deposit) and available at some Oases, the Tollway HQ in Downers Grove, pretty much every Chicagoland Jewel, and Chicagoland/Northern IL Road Ranger Truck Stops. They can also be ordered and delivered to you from the tollway's website

And ISTHA is a full member of the EZ-Pass Group, so if you prefer getting an EZ-Pass from another state/agency, that works too!

[zzcarp]

Yeah, but isnt getting one a arm and  a leg.

Getting an I-Pass an arm and a leg?!?

What, $50 ($40 in tolls and $10 deposit) and available at some Oases, the Tollway HQ in Downers Grove, pretty much every Chicagoland Jewel, and Chicagoland/Northern IL Road Ranger Truck Stops. They can also be ordered and delivered to you from the tollway's website

IMHO, the I-Pass is one of the best deals for transponders. When I moved to Denver in 2006 I was stuck in a half-hour backup at the I-80 toll booth in Chicagoland, and I vowed never to be stuck in that again with the advent of open road tolling. Once you purchase the transponder, there's no annual fee and I can use it for driving to Cleveland from Denver. I've even used it in my rental cars when I've flown back east into the EZ-Pass system. I only wish it were interoperable with our Expresstoll system here in Denver and the Kansas Turnpike for when I travel via I-70.

[Mdcastle]

Guess it's time to get me a transponder now that MnPass is joining E-Zpass later this summer.

[JoePCool14]

Anyone who's looking to shunpike, it's basically not worth trying in Chicagoland. All alternatives are slow, riddled with stoplights everywhere. The tollways are often the only reasonable choice. If you're looking to avoid I-90 or I-88 in the rural areas, that's another story. It's still not worth it to me though...

[SSOWorld]

Today was a bad day to drive the Chicago expressways to avoid tolls.  The Kennedy outbound was for all intents and purposes closed (the only lanes between Western and Edens was the reversibles.  The Ike and 55 were slow too.

[Revive 755]

Anyone who's looking to shunpike, it's basically not worth trying in Chicagoland. All alternatives are slow, riddled with stoplights everywhere. The tollways are often the only reasonable choice. If you're looking to avoid I-90 or I-88 in the rural areas, that's another story. It's still not worth it to me though...

To me it really depends on the segment in question.  Using US 41 to bypass the Waukegan Toll ($1.40) usually seems worth it to me unless I am coming from/going to someplace far into Wisconsin.  With the Genoa Road exit now tolled and US 20 having a reduced speed limit it is less attractive to bypass the Belvidere Plaza when continuing west on US 20 towards Dubuque than it used to be.

[I-39]

Anyone who's looking to shunpike, it's basically not worth trying in Chicagoland. All alternatives are slow, riddled with stoplights everywhere. The tollways are often the only reasonable choice. If you're looking to avoid I-90 or I-88 in the rural areas, that's another story. It's still not worth it to me though...

It's very difficult to do in most areas outside of perhaps the Tri-State between Deerfield and the state line.

[JoePCool14]

To me it really depends on the segment in question.  Using US 41 to bypass the Waukegan Toll ($1.40) usually seems worth it to me unless I am coming from/going to someplace far into Wisconsin.  With the Genoa Road exit now tolled and US 20 having a reduced speed limit it is less attractive to bypass the Belvidere Plaza when continuing west on US 20 towards Dubuque than it used to be.

Good catch regarding US-41. Most times of the day, it's a reasonable enough choice. I sometimes use it for a change of scenery.

[hobsini2]

Personally, I use these as my shunpikes...
Ronald Reagan East-West Tollway
I-88 between IL 31 and Mannheim Rd to get onto I-290 East - IL 56 Butterfield Rd & Cermak Rd
I-88 between IL 31 and IL 56 West - Indian Trail Rd, Orchard Rd and Galena Blvd.
I-88 between Dixon and IL 56 West - US 30
Jane Addams Northwest Tollway
I-90 between River Rd and IL 47 - IL 72 Higgins Rd (lots of lights and turns)
I-90 between IL 47 and Rockton Rd - US 20, Bus US 20 in Belvidere, Beloit Rd/Belvidere Rd, IL 251
I-39/90 between US 20/I-39 South and Rockton Rd - IL 251 (lots of lights and turns)
Tri-State Tollway
I-80 between I-94 and Kedzie Ave to get to I-80 West - Torrance Ave, Thornton Rd, Indiana Ave, Chicago Hts-Glenwood Rd, 187th St, Dixie Hwy, 183rd St, Kedzie Ave
I-294 between I-80 and I-55 - Kedzie Ave, 135th St, Calumet Sag Rd, IL 83 Kingery Hwy
I-294 between I-55 and I-90 - IL 83 Kingery Hwy or US 12 & 45 La Grange Rd/Mannheim Rd (lots of lights on both)
I-294 between I-90 and Lake-Cook Rd - Des Plaines River Rd, US 45 & IL 21 Milwaukee Ave
I-94 between Edens Expy and Russell Rd - US 41 Skokie Hwy or IL 21 Milwaukee Ave
Veterans Memorial North-South Tollway
I-355 between I-55 and I-80 - Center St/Hickory St, Ruby St, Broadway in Joliet, IL 53 Joliet Rd
I-355 between I-55 and Army Trail Rd - IL 53 or IL 83
Elgin-O'Hare Tollway
Route 390 between County Farm Rd/Barrington Rd and York Rd - IL 19 Irving Park Rd or US 20 Lake St (lots of lights)

[ET21]

I-294 between I-80 and I-55 - Kedzie Ave, 135th St, Calumet Sag Rd, IL 83 Kingery Hwy
I-294 between I-55 and I-90 - IL 83 Kingery Hwy or US 12 & 45 La Grange Rd/Mannheim Rd (lots of lights on both)

I'm pretty much the same. For these two sections, I'll occasionally use Flavin/Willow Springs Road in case the Kingery is also nasty. Flavin is mostly forest preserve two-lane roadway, and Willow Springs is slower mph and more lights due to neighborhoods

[Revive 755]

Elgin-O'Hare Tollway
Route 390 between County Farm Rd/Barrington Rd and York Rd - IL 19 Irving Park Rd or US 20 Lake St (lots of lights)

There's also IL 19, Wise Road, Nerge Road (after a jog on Roselle), and Devon Avenue.  Still has a decent number of lights, but it lacks the slower downtown portions in Roselle and Itasca and the problematic railroad crossing in Wood Dale.

[paulthemapguy]

Molitor/Diehl Road is great as an alternate to I-88 between Farnsworth and Naper Blvd.  From Mill St or Diehl Road east to IL-53, Warrenville Road is a good alternative.  If you need to get from Aurora to I-355, use Diehl for the west part of your route and eventually cross over to the north side of the tollway in Naperville to use Warrenville Road instead.  East of about IL-53, you'll want to use the option recommended above, IL-56.  Once you're east of Lombard, you might consider 22nd St., though 22nd gets backed up with all the traffic to the Oak Brook Mall.

IL-53 is probably the best alternative to I-355 north of Lombard; Use Madison St in Lombard to cut east to Finley Road, now that there's a signal there.  Use Finley/Belmont from Lombard south to 63rd, then use 63rd to cut over to Woodward south of there.  You shouldn't need an alternate to I-355 south of I-55 due to traffic reasons unless there's a major crash, but due to the lack of bridges over the Des Plaines River, your alternate route will probably take you through downtown Lemont.

[kphoger]

Anyone who's looking to shunpike, it's basically not worth trying in Chicagoland. All alternatives are slow, riddled with stoplights everywhere. The tollways are often the only reasonable choice. If you're looking to avoid I-90 or I-88 in the rural areas, that's another story. It's still not worth it to me though...

Unless it's the week-end rush hour, at which time the toll road might end up taking even longer than the local streets.

[I-39]

To get to the west suburbs, you can use IL-38 or IL-64.

[kphoger]

To get to the west suburbs, you can use IL-38 or IL-64.

Saint Charles Road or Butterfield Road too, depending on your destination.  But I wouldn't recommend any of them for getting all the way from the Cook/DuPage county line out into farmland.

[skluth]

I used to drive a lot between St Louis and Green Bay. It's not technically a shunpike, but I used to avoid the worst of the Tri-State by using Palatine Road, IL 53, I-290, and I-355 (the one toll road). It seemed faster most of the time, especially the years when they were rebuilding the Tri-State around O'Hare. I'd usually use I-39 with I-43 or US 151 to bypass the entire Chicago area, but sometimes I'd want to stop at the outlets west of Kenosha or one of the Chicago Ikea stores.