Summer Travel 2020: Illinois Among Best For Road Trips

ILLINOIS — Most travelers in the United States won’t be boarding planes or cruise ships this summer amid the new coronavirus pandemic. Instead, Americans will take 700 million road trips, accounting for 97 percent of all vacation-related travel, the American Automobile Association estimates.

Although congestion is anticipated to be lower than usual this summer, travelers are still urged to plan ahead.

“While the amount people drive is still low for this time of year, we know millions will be taking road trips in the months ahead," INRIX transportation analyst Bob Pishue said in a statement. "The good news is, the congestion they will encounter is nowhere near what we typically see in a summer.”

Here’s the information you need to know for summer travel in the Chicago area.

Illinois and the Chicago area are ranked among the nation’s bottom third places for traffic congestion, meaning drivers around here probably won't encounter normal traffic this summer or over the 4th of July weekend.

Last year, the Illinois Tollway estimated that the Friday before 4th of July would bring 2 million vehicles to area highways. But 2020 isn't your typical year, with coronavirus causing trips to be canceled and fireworks shows and events to be called off. The tollway hasn't released a 2020 traffic estimate yet, but said it's "prepared" for Fourth of July holiday travel and "is encouraging drivers getting back on the road over the holiday weekend to be prepared and put safety first."

AAA estimates air travel will drop by 74 percent this summer compared with last year, and travel by cruise ship and bus is projected to decrease by 86 percent. Meanwhile, road trips are likely to climb by 3.6 percent.

“AAA travel experts have begun to see positive trends in travel, noting that hotel and rental car bookings have been gradually increasing since April,” AAA Manager of Public and Government Affairs Ragina C. Ali said in a statement. “Air travel has been slower to rebound. The share of travelers making plans 48 hours to 7 days before departure — a sign that people are arranging last-minute trips — is significantly higher than normal.”

The good news is while the summer of road trips is in full swing, gas prices are expected to remain near an average of $2.25, down 15 percent from last year.

According to AAA, vacationgoers are trending away from large urban metros, opting instead to visit less-congested regions such as Denver, which rose in popularity from No. 10 last year to No. 1 this year.

The top 10 most popular vacation destinations for summer 2020 are:

1. Denver
2. Las Vegas
3. Los Angeles
4. Seattle
5. Phoenix
6. Portland, OR
7. Myrtle Beach, SC
8. Orlando
9. San Diego
10. Nashville

Illinois construction

With summer construction in full swing, remember to stay focused, slow down and watch for changes in traffic patterns in place to provide safe access for drivers in work zones. The Illinois Tollway will suspend most temporary maintenance and construction lane closures from noon on Thursday, July 2, through 9 a.m. on Monday, July 6. However, some work may continue in existing work zones to keep work on schedule.

Drivers can expect to see the following road work happening:

• On the Edens Spur Tollway (I-94) where traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction between Illinois Route 43 and the Edens Expressway.

• On the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) where work zones are in place between Irving Park Road and Wolf Road, between Electric Avenue and Lake Street/North Avenue, at the BNSF Railway Bridge and on either end of the Mile Long Bridge between 75th Street and I-55 and between Archer Avenue and the Des Plaines River.

• At the I-294/I-57 Interchange where northbound Tollway traffic is reduced from four to three lanes between 159th Street and I-57 and work zones are in place on I-57.

• On the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) where traffic shifts are in place for work between Eola Road and Illinois Route 59

Wear a mask

All six Illinois Tollway oases remain open for drivers who need to take a break or fuel up, and all sites are adhering to the same COVID-19 guidelines as all Illinois businesses. Indoor dining areas now offer limited seating and carry-out food service from restaurants and 7-Eleven fuel stations is available.

Face masks or coverings are required inside the oases and social distancing guidelines are in place. Public washrooms and hand sanitizer stations are available, though water fountains are currently disabled.