Illinois Tollway expects record 8 million travelers during extended Memorial Day holiday weekend
2025-05-20
Expecting a record number of vehicles to use its roads during the Memorial Day weekend, the Illinois Tollway is reminding drivers to travel safely by slowing down, avoiding distracted driving and dialing *999 if they need roadside assistance on the way to their holiday destinations.
An estimated 8 million vehicles are expected to take a trip on the Tollway system this Memorial Day weekend between Friday, May 23, and Tuesday, May 27 – a projected 4.4 percent increase over last year’s holiday weekend. The busiest travel day is expected to be May 23, when nearly 1.9 million vehicles are projected to use the Tollway system. On a typical day, about 1.6 million vehicles travel on the Tollway.
“As we start the summer driving season, we’re reminding our customers they can always reach us if they need roadside assistance by dialing *999,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Our road crews will be out in force during the holiday weekend to provide prompt help to drivers whose vehicles become disabled on our system. We’re also urging drivers to protect themselves, other drivers and emergency responders by following posted speed limits, especially in work zones, and by putting away their phones so they can focus on driving safely.”
Drivers should dial *999 for roadway assistance from Tollway roadway maintenance crews who patrol the Tollway system 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. In addition, the Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) supported by GEICO is also available to assist drivers 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.
When calling *999, drivers should provide as much information about their location as possible to ensure rapid assistance, including the Tollway on which they’re traveling, the direction they’re driving and the nearest milepost, cross street or exit.
Drivers who need assistance should turn on their hazard lights, move their vehicle, if possible, onto the shoulder and remain inside until help arrives.
The Tollway’s motorist aid patrols stand ready to help stranded customers change tires, jump-start batteries, add coolant, dispense fuel, transport customers, move vehicles away from traffic and call for a tow truck. *999 - we’re always there when you need us.
Be prepared for construction work zones
To accommodate holiday travel on the Illinois Tollway, construction activity will be restricted to better serve Tollway customers. Most temporary maintenance and construction lane closures will be suspended from noon on Friday, May 24, through 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 28. Some work may continue behind barriers to keep work on schedule. All work is weather-dependent.
Areas where ongoing work zones may impact traffic include:
Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80)
- On northbound I-294 between St. Charles Road and North Avenue, traffic is shifted to the left into a counterflow configuration.
- On southbound I-294 between St. Charles Road and I-55, traffic is shifted into a split configuration with three left lanes operating as express lanes. There is no access to exit to eastbound I-290, westbound I-88, Ogden Avenue or I-55 from these three express lanes. Traffic must remain in the right lane to exit.
- On the ramps connecting westbound I-290 to northbound I-294 and westbound Roosevelt Road to southbound I-294 closures and detours are in place.
- On southbound I-294 access to I-55 in both directions has moved further north and is located between 55th Street and the Hinsdale Oasis.
Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88)
- On eastbound I-88 between Illinois Route 23 and the DeKalb Oasis traffic is reduced to a single lane.
Construction zone speed limits are in effect in all construction zones 24/7 and drivers should continue to watch for changing traffic patterns and use caution, especially when workers are present.
Drop It and Drive
Remember to Drop It and Drive because it is illegal to use a hand-held device when driving in Illinois. Sending or receiving a text can take a driver’s eyes off the road for 5 seconds—traveling at 55 miles an hour that’s like traveling farther than the length of football field with your eyes closed. Using a cellphone behind the wheel is considered a moving violation even if the vehicle is stopped at a traffic signal. The fine for a first offense is $75, and it escalates with each subsequent offense. Causing a fatal crash while driving distracted can result in a driver being charged with a felony.
About the Illinois Tollway
The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.