Labor Day Weekend Road Trip? Find Out What Routes to Avoid

This weekend, people around the area will be trying to squeeze out every last ounce of the summer into their Labor Day holiday. That means day trips and other traveling that can lead to heavy traffic throughout Chicago and the suburbs.

Patch has put together a quick and easy traveling guide to help you maximize your fun from the end of the day on Thursday, Sept. 3, until the wee morning hours of Tuesday, Sept. 8.

CLOSURES AND CONSTRUCTION TO AVOID

Overall, construction along the Illinois Tollway will be restricted, and maintenance and lane closings will be suspended from noon Friday, Sept. 4, until 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8.

But some construction zones might still be active in order to keep on schedule. Here are some areas to avoid, according to the Illinois Tollway and the Illinois Department of Transportation.

I-90 Tollway

• From I-294 to State Route 31: Three lanes will be open in both directions, but watch out for shifting traffic.
• Arlington Heights Road Interchange: Northbound ramp is closed.
• State Route 59 Interchange: Ramps are closed, and traffic is detoured through Higgins Road and Beverly Road.
• State Route 25 Interchange: Westbound ramp is closed, and traffic is detoured through the State Route 31 Interchange.
• State Route 31 Interchange: Ramps are closed, and traffic is being rerouted.

Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80): Two lanes of traffic open on the northbound I-294 ramp to Lake Cook Road.

Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88): Only a single lane open in both directions between State Route 251 and Chicago Avenue.

Elgin O’Hare Expressway: Ramps are closed at State Route 19 and Gary Avenue.

190: Ramps closed at U.S. 45 and the 190 Interchange.

Cermak Road, Chicago: Road closed 2.2 miles west of the railroad tracks near Western Avenue.

Harlem Avenue, Palos Heights: Lane reduction and closings between 130th and 120th streets.

Diamond Lake Road, Long Grove: Bridge is closed across Indian Creek.

South Batavia Avenue/South 1st Street, Geneva: Road closed for 0.4 miles south of railroad tracks near South Street.

River Road, Lake Barrington: Road closed between Kelsey and Roberts roads.

State Route 83, Buffalo Grove: Road closed between Buffalo Grove Road and Deerfield Parkway.

U.S. Route 30, Plainfield: Lane reduction and closings between State Route 59 and the I-55 Interchange.

South Joliet Road, Plainfield: Road closed between State Route 59 and Renwick Road.

For updated traffic, construction and road closing information, go to the websites for the Illinois Tollway and IDOT. Also, check out the Travel Midwest website or call 800-TOLL-FYI.

TOLLWAY ENFORCEMENT

Illinois State Police will be running extra patrols along all of the state’s toll roads in an attempt to stop speeding and drunken driving. It’s a good idea this weekend to obey the posted speed limits, keep buckled up and stay off your cell phone while driving.

FILLING UP ON THE CHEAP

Use the gas widget below to find the cheapest gas in your area, or wherever you’re traveling Labor Day weekend. All you need to do is enter the location.