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.

I make frequent trips up I39 through Rockford. The toll for cars is $1.90 at the booth just before crossing into Wisconsin. Hope this helps. Have a fun and safe trip!

I should add that there was quite a bit of construction around Madison and then along the rest of the way to MN the last time I made that run. However, I don't recall ever getting bogged down in traffic.

Unless there's an accident, you won't have traffic delays around Rockford. It's a good, well-maintained road where traffic moves at the speed limit almost all the time. You will hit some construction on I39 between I80 and Rockford, but it usually is only a minor delay, especially at the time you'll be traveling. Far more difficult is the stretch of I90/I39 from the Illinois line to Madison, although in the early morning hours you shouldn't have a problem.

My wife and I travel that route a lot and never have had any problems with traffic in that area and we tow a 36' 5th wheel. All the afternoon traffic on Labor Day will be headed south. Don't worry about the toll booth and have a great trip.

I live in Rockford.And You only have 1 toll on 90 before 39.Which is 1.90 for cars.Then extra for additional axels.There is some construction on 39 now .Was down to one lane .Need any advice where to stop let me know.

Rockford, Illinois | Good Sam Community

kknowlton
Explorer II
Sep 15, 2015
Thanks for reporting back - glad it went well!
04fxsts
Explorer
Sep 15, 2015
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
Explorer
Sep 04, 2015
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_
Explorer II
Sep 03, 2015
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
Explorer
Sep 03, 2015
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
Explorer
Sep 03, 2015
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
Explorer
Sep 03, 2015
Place gets packed quick.Seen a few motor homes and trailers try to come in.And had a hell of a time.
04fxsts
Explorer
Sep 03, 2015
Thanks much. No better advice than from people familar with the area. Jim.
carpetguy2
Explorer
Sep 02, 2015
Don't stop in Rockford for cracker barrel.Horrible parking.
Off ramps to rock cut state park has tolls too
earlvillestu
Explorer
Sep 02, 2015
There's a small RV parking area behind the CB in Janesville, usually mostly empty.

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