Rockford, Illinois

[04fxsts]

DW and I decided to take our first out of state trip in our new MH, 30 foot gas. Heading to NW Minnesota from east central Illinois and have made this trip before but always in a car. We will be going up I-39 which joins I-90 around Rockford. There is a toll in this area and I could use any advice on how much it will be and how best to manuver the toll area.
We plan to leave home in early evening on Monday, which is Labor Day. Rockford is about 200 miles and our plan so far is to stop just before Rockford and then hit the tollway around 4 or 5am Tuesday to avoid traffic as much as possible. Another thought is to get through Rockford before stopping for the night. This would depend on traffic and I wonder if most of the heavy traffic will be headed toward Chicago so would not affect us.
The rest of the trip is pretty much cool, I just have always hated this one area even in a car. Thanks, Jim.

[kknowlton]

Thanks for reporting back - glad it went well!

[04fxsts]

Trip went well, ended up at the Janesville Sams Club for the night. They were already closed and the lot was empty so pulled in, figured we are Club members so why not. The traffic going north was very light but the southbound lanes were full, toll booth was no problem $2.65 and right through. Thanks for all the good advice. Jim.

[carpetguy2]

04fxsts wrote:

carpetguy2 wrote:
Place gets packed quick.Seen a few motor homes and trailers try to come in.And had a hell of a time.

Do you mean at the Rockford CB? I plan to make it through Rockford and hit the Janesville CB, or the first Wisconsin rest area for the nite. The Wisconsin web site says "no camping" but you may park for up to 24 hours. Estimating our time of departure and distance we should hit this area around 9 or 10PM so either should be possible. We should be ready to hit the road around 6AM on Tuesday morning. Jim.

Yes .The Rockford CB.There are a few rest stops aswell.They get packed up quick sometimes too.Alot of semis.There is a Walmart right off I90 in Janesville Wi And Rockford too.

[Gary_]

Some people claim that if you are in a motorhome to use the far right hand lane at a toll booth. They claim that is a wider lane for paying tolls. Good Luck.

[Romer1]

04fxsts wrote:
Thanks for advise one and all. I looked for info on IPASS and couldn't find a price without sending in a request for a quote and don't figure I would have time before the weekend to get anything. This is also something I probably wouldn't use more than a couple times a year so will probably just stop and pay tolls.
I am also seeing a couple Cracker Barrels in the area; Rockford and Janesville. Plans were to stop south of Rockford for the nite but if traffic is light may try to make it into Wisconsin before stopping. Will call CB and check on parking from the road when we get a better idea when to stop. Not looking for a campground just a place to rest till early morning. Jim.

IPass transponder is free. They do take a deposit to cover tolls.

[04fxsts]

carpetguy2 wrote:
Place gets packed quick.Seen a few motor homes and trailers try to come in.And had a hell of a time.

Do you mean at the Rockford CB? I plan to make it through Rockford and hit the Janesville CB, or the first Wisconsin rest area for the nite. The Wisconsin web site says "no camping" but you may park for up to 24 hours. Estimating our time of departure and distance we should hit this area around 9 or 10PM so either should be possible. We should be ready to hit the road around 6AM on Tuesday morning. Jim.

[carpetguy2]

Place gets packed quick.Seen a few motor homes and trailers try to come in.And had a hell of a time.

[04fxsts]

Thanks much. No better advice than from people familar with the area. Jim.

[carpetguy2]

Don't stop in Rockford for cracker barrel.Horrible parking.
Off ramps to rock cut state park has tolls too

[earlvillestu]

There's a small RV parking area behind the CB in Janesville, usually mostly empty.

[04fxsts]

Thanks for advise one and all. I looked for info on IPASS and couldn't find a price without sending in a request for a quote and don't figure I would have time before the weekend to get anything. This is also something I probably wouldn't use more than a couple times a year so will probably just stop and pay tolls.
I am also seeing a couple Cracker Barrels in the area; Rockford and Janesville. Plans were to stop south of Rockford for the nite but if traffic is light may try to make it into Wisconsin before stopping. Will call CB and check on parking from the road when we get a better idea when to stop. Not looking for a campground just a place to rest till early morning. Jim.

[kknowlton]

Ditto on the IPass. Makes it much easier.

If you need a place to stay in the Rockford area and it's not on a weekend, check out Rock Cut State Park. Nice place; electric hookups.

[jnharley]

Get an IPASS. Even though we use it infrequently, it is very handy tool to have and it can be used anywhere EZPASS s accepted. By the way, we are not Illinois residents and have been through that toll plaza several times. With IPASS, no stopping is required.

[Snowman9000]

carpetguy2 wrote:
By the way.Traffic does start getting bad At IL WI border on 90 at the toll booth..I always camp that weekend and come back this way and does get congested about 10 am.You can blow through the toll with out paying.You have 7 days to pay online.Which is a benefit.

Basically he's saying use the "iPass" Open Road Tolling lanes where you just drive through without stopping. Then go online and pay for your missed toll.