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sancoots's avatar
sancoots
Explorer
Jan 15, 2019

Route advise from Wisconsin Dells to Indiana Dunes SP

I will be heading east for the first time with my 28 foot travel trailer. I am driving from Wisconsin Dells to Indiana Dunes state park and was hoping you could help me with best routes to take with truck and trailer. Also not sure whether we pay at each toll booth and how many there would be on this route or if it is better to take the free roads. Any and all advice on this route appreciated

We are from Canada so I don't think it is economical to get a transponder or IPASS for this one time trip to this area
Roads and Routes
  • JKJavelin's avatar
    JKJavelin
    Explorer III
    Jan 16, 2019
    Living in Milwaukee, it's hard to go around Chicago and the tolls. Taking our 5th wheel through Chicago last year (I-94) the tolls are $21 with the I-Pass. Taking I-39 it was $4.65. Without I-Pass, double the price. The I-Pass is also valid in Indiana and other states. When we do have to go through Chicago, we try to leave on a weekend at around 4a.m., traffic is pretty good then.
    JK
  • sancoots's avatar
    sancoots
    Explorer
    Jan 16, 2019
    Hi All

    Thanks for the suggestions. I will take the I39 to I80 route as suggested. I will try to stop at the cash booths, as I don't have a navigator and I have read that you need to know the time and which toll booth, and I think that might be hard to remember when I am driving. Also I am from Canada with Canadian plates on both the truck and trailer, so not sure which they would use. We only have rear licence plates in Alberta.
  • Campfire_Time's avatar
    Campfire_Time
    Explorer
    Jan 16, 2019
    troubledwaters wrote:
    Don't go through Chicago, you will regret it. Take I39 to I80 as suggested above. The tolls on this route will be about $7.00 in total, pulling a trailer. I just took this route from Michigan to Baraboo WI 5 months ago.


    It really depends on the time of day you go through on 294. Mid-day is not bad. Still coming from the Dells I also recommend I39 to I80.

    Personally I would not bother stopping at the toll booths. It's not like the old days when there were many cash lanes. The lines are often long now. You can pay online after the fact so long as you do so within 7 days. In fact their plan is to eliminate cash toll booths soon.
  • troubledwaters's avatar
    troubledwaters
    Explorer III
    Jan 16, 2019
    Don't go through Chicago, you will regret it. Take I39 to I80 as suggested above. The tolls on this route will be about $7.00 in total, pulling a trailer. I just took this route from Michigan to Baraboo WI 5 months ago.
  • stickdog's avatar
    stickdog
    Explorer
    Jan 16, 2019
    There is no easy way that is toll free. The I90 to I39 to I80 is the route you want least number of tolls. I believe 3 total $10-12 for 4 axles day time cash rate. I remember when the tolls were 30 cents and the toll road was going to be paid off years ago. You'll want to pickup I94 once in Indiana.
  • doxiemom11's avatar
    doxiemom11
    Explorer II
    Jan 16, 2019
    You could take US39 down to I80 east, but beware the roads will have very heavy traffic in the Chicago area. Even the toll roads will be busy, but better. Have no idea the tolls as we never travel toll roads. We are not in a hurry, so work our way east on free roads south of I-80, then head north when we are far enough east for our destination in MI.

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