Avoiding tolls I-80 Chicago
 

Gotta leave for Bolingbrook, IL in a few hours. Coming from Indy I usually take 65N to I-80W but have to pay some tolls. I was thinking of taking US30W from Merrillville, IN to IL53N up to I-55.

Are US30 and IL53 decent roads? Thanks.

Take US 30 through there and you may learn what the nickname Stoplight City came from. :wink:

I've never taken that route of yours so I couldn't tell you about any low bridges or restrictions. I did run it on my map program and yours is 3 miles shorter than taking I-80 to I-355. I just took that exact route up from Indy to our drop yard in Bolingbrook. I think the tolls came to $11.00 for that, $3 on 80 and $8 on 355. You'd probably spend a lot of extra time taking 30 to 53. I know people don't like paying tolls but fuel is so expensive that it doesnt take that many OOR miles avoiding tolls to cost more in extra fuel than if you just take the toll road. If someone avoided a toll that costs $10 by taking a route that was 15 miles longer they actually lost money avoiding the toll road, and probably lost time too. It is different though if you're a company driver and they refuse to pay tolls, then avoid the toll roads. 8) 8)

Thats no joke.

Take I 74 west to IL rte 47 N to I 55 north. You will pick up Rt 47 one or two exits west of the I 57 interchange at Champaign.

The exit number for IL rte 47 is 172 off of I 74.

Inquiring minds want to know why they call it "spotlight city"?

Because with the exception of a few small stretches of road there is a stop light every 1/4 to 1/2 mile (or less) from I 65 west to I 57.

Actually the stop light hell continues east and west of those interchanges for quite some ways too.

Dang it, it's STOPlight city not spotlight city! :lol: :oops:

Colts fan, before you ask I live just south of Champaign and have taken the route I gave you many times in a big truck. It is the easiest and quickest way to get to anything on the west side of the Windy. No tolls and Rte 47 is a good running 2 lane road.

Just watch yourself going through the towns. The local cops love to pull over speeders, but other than that there are no issues.

If you need a break before you head up I 55 there is a small fuel stop right at the junction I I 55 and Rte 47 where you can grab a drink, snacks, use the restroom.

Let's see.... Indy to Bolingbrook...

I-74 to IN-63 north. At IN-10, turn west toward Kankakee, IL. At the state line, it becomes IL-17. Follow that through to the west side of Kankakee, and turn right onto US-45. After a dozen blocks or so, turn left onto IL-102 to Wilmington, IL. When you get to downtown Wilmington, you do not want to cross rte-53. You want to turn right and go to rte-44, left. A couple of miles, and it will take you to I-55. Not "STOPLIGHT CITY, and NO TOLLS. Been that way many times.

Thanks guys. I'll take one of the routes you have recommended. Once I make it back alive and well I'll let you know which route I took!

Thanks again.