Illinois Rest Areas

Interstate 72, 39 and 88 need additional rest areas.

There is only one rest area on each of these three highways. They were built later than other Interstates but need at least one more rest area. Taking water supplies into consideration, I-72 needs one either just east of Springfield and then around Jacksonville. The Illinois River is scenic but I doubt if there are water supplies available. The one rest area on I-72 has tank toilets and a septic system since it is away from municipal supplies.

I-39 needs one somewhere south of La Salle Peru. One maybe in Oglesby area or farther south, near a town so water and sewer are Available.
I-88 needs one somewhere on the free section west of Rock Falls-sterling, and maybe another service facility on the tollway. There is a long stretch between interchanges between Rochelle and Dixon, and one might run out of gas if one's tank is low . Maybe a service facility farther east near the IL 31 interchange.

After all, there are four service facilities on I-294 and the Abraham Lincoln Oasis also serves I-80. The service areas on I_80 and (0 in Illinois are tghe westernmost service facilities directly accessing the highway. East of there , if one times service stops correctly one can drive most of the way to the Ohio Pennsylvania Border on I-80 and with a large tank, perhaps all the way on I-90 or at least only one off-highway service stoip in northeastgern Ohio.

I-90 is toll much of the way between the Illinois-Wisconsin Border and Boston, except for free sections from near Cleveland Ohio eastward and around BuffaLO, ny.

I-90 could use one north of Rockfcord so that I-39 traffic may use it.. The concessions help defray costs for the toll highway maintenance.

Maybe a Rest area on I-180 or at least a turnout where it crosses the Hennepin Canal. There is a lock next to a demolished aqueduct nearby. Even if only on the northbound side, such a Turnout could have interpretive sign for Hennepin Canal. It was the "other Pork Barrel" PROJECT of Hennepin. Both cost a lot for the amount of use they received.

If I-180 is extended to Peoria, then here should be a rest area on it, as it is near the scenic Illinois River. Like the eastbound Spoon River Rest Area on I-74, that has a pathway through a covered bridge to an observation tower.

Most of the rest areas in existence are in good condition and are maintained by various disabled groups and funded through vending machine sales..

Illinois has more interstates than most other states. so if it seems that rest areas are few and far between, remember there are 54 altogether. There should be at least 60, and I would like to see rest areas on both sides at Welcome Centers, as at Rockton, Oakwood, Marshall and Grayville. The I-24 welcome center is off the US 45 interchange so is accessible in both directions.

It is some distance between rest areas for the opposite directions involved.

There is no tourist information at the Grayville Rest Area. US 50 also has a westbound rest area but no tourist information. That was originally to be I-64 but it was relocated later to be closer to Mount Vernon and Evansville, IN.

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