If you must drive during inclement weather in snow and ice conditions:
Blowing snow can diminish visibility significantly. Clearing all windows BEFORE you start driving assures maximum vision of your surroundings and assists in reducing ice and snow buildup as you drive.
Reducing speed during inclement weather conditions increases your ability to respond to the unexpected, especially when traveling is a toll plaza or construction zone.
By separating your vehicle from others, you decrease your chances of a collision because stopping distances increase as pavement conditions deteriorate
During heavy snowstorms, slush and packed snow build up in the area between traffic lanes. Abrupt or frequent lane changes may cause your vehicle to slide on the build-up and spin out of control.
During periods of extremely heavy snow, Illinois Tollway snowplow trucks will work together in tandem to remove as much ice, slush, and snow as possible from all lanes at once. Should you encounter these snowplows, keep back and let them do their job. They travel at a speed of approximately 30 miles per hour, so traffic delays should be expected.
Use caution when passing snowplows. De-icing materials are spread from the rear of the truck and may be a distraction to motorists attempting to pass. In addition, some snowplows are equipped with wing plows that extend to the left or right of the vehicle. While these wings allow for more efficient removal of snow, they are nearly invisible to passing motorists due to blowing snow. Do NOT use the shoulder of the road to pass a snowplow.
Many construction zones remain in place over the winter. Shifted lanes, traffic jogs, construction barrels and workers are present during construction. Drivers should be cautious and alert to their surroundings.
Drivers paying cash at mainline toll plazas or traveling through ramp toll plazas should adjust their speed on approach during snow and ice storms. Watch for lane designations on approach to the plaza; switching lanes close to the plaza is unsafe, especially during winter weather.
Should you encounter car trouble and become disabled, try to move your car to a safe position on the shoulder or in an untraveled area. Stay in your vehicle, as this is the safest place to be if you are stranded. Report stranded vehicles by dialing *999 from a cellular phone.
During continued periods of extremely cold weather, the Tollway operates a “Zero Patrol” to supplement the State Police and H.E.L.P. vehicles. These patrols enable us to cover the entire 286 mile Tollway system 24 hours per day when temperatures and/or wind chills are at or below zero. Stay in your vehicle–it’s the safest place to be if you are stranded.
Please note: *999 is funded by the Illinois Tollway and the Illinois Department of Transportation. All Tollway vehicles are equipped with radios and can call in to the Central Radio Dispatch center if they encounter a disabled vehicle on the road during a snowstorm. The Dispatch Center can then contact an Illinois State Police District 15 officer to assist.
Traveler Checklist
What’s Traffic Like? Know Your Travel Time Ahead of Time – Drive Smart by Planning Ahead
GCM travel provides real-time traffic reports, maps and construction information for the Gary-Chicago-Milwaukee metro area.
See what winter road conditions are in Illinois and neighboring states through IDOT's Getting Around Illinois website.
Personalized Tollway Traffic Alerts are available at the NBC5 website.
Program your frequent travel routes, and desired notification times to receive timely alerts, sent directly to your phone, email, or PDA. Is there more than one way to reach your destination? Program multiple routes so you know whether to take a different route or change your course.
A Daily Lane Closure Report and Construction Alerts are posted online to give drivers advanced notice of when and where we’ll be closing lanes and changing traffic patterns. Lane closures are planned during off-peak hours to minimize the impact on traffic.
Why Drive 45? Stay Alert & Drive Safely in Construction Zones
In Illinois, an average of 7,000 crashes occur yearly in highway work zones.
Slow Down. Work zone speed limits are in place 24/7 to keep motorists and workers safe. 85% of work zone crashes injure motorists, not workers.
Be Aware. Illinois State Police District 15 constantly patrols Tollway construction zones through various initiatives such as Operation Hardhat and Photo Enforcement Vans.
Pay Attention. Narrow lanes and changing traffic configurations require reduced speeds to prevent accidents.
Save Cash. Slowing down not only creates a safer driving environment, it creates greater fuel efficiency. Every 5 mph you drive over 60 costs $0.22 more per gallon of gas.
Money in Your Account? Are you an I-PASS user?
Check your account regularly to ensure your vehicle information is current and your account has adequate funds.
With Auto-replenish it's easy to forget that you have an account to maintain, but you must keep your information current. Be sure to review and update information such as your license plate, car make/model, contact information and credit card expiration date.
Did you know your I-PASS works in multiple states?
If you are traveling on the E-ZPass system you can use your I-PASS. Check our list of all participating states, and be sure to load up your balance ahead of time to avoid running low.
Will you pay with cash?
Know toll locations and rates before you set out on your Tollway trip. Use the Toll Calculator or refer to our Maps page for more information about tolls. Tolls at the entrance and exit ramps are unattended, so if you don’t have I-PASS you must have exact coins. No change can be given and bills are not accepted.
If you miss a toll, you can now pay missed tolls online. Please note that you must pay a missed toll within 7 days to avoid violation charges.
Running on Empty? Rest & Refuel at a Tollway Oasis
Long road trip ahead? Check out the Oasis Section to locate the best spot to rest and refuel yourself and your car.
Seven Tollway Oases offer a variety of services and food options to commuters and long-distance travelers alike. Whether you need a cup of coffee, magazine for a long ride, or a quick WiFi connection to check the road ahead, you will find the Oases are full of traveler conveniences.
Mobil Fuel Stations and On the Run stores are open 24-hours and offer competitive gas prices and a convenient exit and re-entry onto the Tollway.
