Remember the good old days when we used to take road trips across the country? The wind in our hair, the sun on our faces, and the thrill of the open road. Well, those days may be long gone, but there’s still nothing quite like a good road trip to help us reconnect with our inner adventurer. One of the most important things to consider when planning any road trip is your route, and that’s especially true if you’re headed through the Windy City. Today, we’re going to talk about one of the most important aspects of any road trip through Chicago: the tolls on I-90.
Why Do We Pay Tolls?
First things first: why do we pay tolls at all? For starters, it’s important to remember that highways like I-90 are expensive to build and maintain. In order to keep them in good condition and ensure that they’re safe for drivers, someone has to foot the bill. That’s where tolls come in. By charging a small fee to drivers, authorities can help to offset these costs and ensure that these vital pieces of infrastructure are kept in good working order.
But there’s more to the story than that. In addition to helping out with highway maintenance, tolls can also serve a number of other purposes. For example, some tolls are used to help fund specific projects aimed at improving traffic flow or reducing congestion in certain areas. Others may be used to help fund public transportation systems or other related initiatives. Regardless of their specific purpose, tolls are a necessary and important part of our modern transportation infrastructure.
How Much Will I Pay?
Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty: just how much will you have to pay to get through the toll stations along I-90 in Chicago? The exact cost will depend on where you’re coming from and where you’re going, but there are a few general rules of thumb you can use to estimate your expenses.
For starters, it’s important to note that there are a few different toll plazas along the I-90 corridor, each of which may have its own fees and rates. In general, you can expect to pay anywhere from $0.50 to $1.50 per toll plaza. So, if you’re driving the entire length of the highway through Chicago, you may end up paying as much as $3 or $4 in total.
If you’re looking for more detailed information about specific rates and fees, you can check out the official website for the Illinois Tollway Authority. They offer up-to-date information about toll rates, as well as helpful calculators and other tools to help you plan your trip and budget accordingly.
Other Things to Consider
Of course, there’s more to planning a road trip than just figuring out how much to pay in tolls. If you’re planning to drive through Chicago or any other major city, there are a few other things that you should keep in mind as well. For starters, traffic in these areas can be notoriously heavy, especially during rush hour or other peak travel times. Be sure to plan your route accordingly and allow for plenty of extra time to get where you’re going.
You may also want to consider purchasing an E-Z Pass or other electronic toll payment system. These devices can make it much easier and more convenient to pay your tolls as you go, helping to keep traffic moving and saving you valuable time and money in the process. Just be sure to do your research ahead of time and check to see if your pass is compatible with the toll plazas along your route.
Finally, it’s worth taking the time to plan out your overall trip in advance. Whether you’re headed to Chicago or any other destination, a little bit of preparation can go a long way towards ensuring a safe, fun, and memorable trip. So start making those plans today, and get ready to hit the open road!
