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West Central Iowa | We live in western Iowa about 70 miles northwest of Des Moines and we have a son living in Granger/South Bend Indiana (1-1/2 to 2 hours east of Chicago) so we get the pleasure of driving through Chicago at least 2 to 3 times a year. We have learned to time our driving so we hit Chicago mid to late morning and we usually sail right through. Do not try it on a Friday mid afternoon (or any rush hour time) unless you enjoy sitting in traffic totally surrounded by semi truck/trailer for at least several hours.
I would try to stop somewhere and get a IPASS or EZPass toll road stick on transponder before you hit the toll roads from Chicago and east. The transponder sticker is free if you request them online, but you don't have time to get one mailed to you before you leave, but the Osco Jewells grocery stores and Road Ranger stores sell them for a very small handling charge. Minnesota just started using the IPASS and EZPass so you may be able to pick one up when you are driving through MN. The Illinois IPASS and EZPass will work in most of the eastern states. In IL the toll road charges are cut in 1/2 if you have the IPASS transponder. These tolls do add up, my wife and I took a 3 week trip out east in early September and spent close to $200.00 in tolls, but we did not purposely drive to avoid any tolls, and Prince Edward Island bridge was almost $40.00 by itself. Or in some states you can pay by plate, but I think if they have to bill you for the tolls it is going to cost more than if you just go online and pay them first.
Edited by pirlbeck 11/20/2024 12:13
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Driving cross country through the northern states next week
