Thanksgiving Traffic: Over 9 Million Cars Expected On Tollway

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Traffic may put a slight damper on the holiday joy for motorists who are traveling the Illinois Tollway this Thanksgiving weekend. More than 9 million vehicles are expected to crowd the roads, according to an update from the Illinois Tollway website. The bulk of the traffic is set to hit on Wednesday, when more than 1.8 million holiday travelers will be on the tollway.

These predictions make Thanksgiving weekend the biggest holiday weekend for traffic this year, so leave with plenty of extra travel time.

Since the day before Thanksgiving is statistically one of the biggest days for drinking each year, Illinois State Police will be out in full force to stop impaired motorists, distracted drivers, and to hand out seatbelt tickets. A dozen trucks from Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) will also be deployed Wednesday through Friday to provide free roadside assistance when needed.

If your car breaks down on the tollway, dial *999 for assistance.

To help traffic run more smoothly over the holiday, construction will be restricted from 12 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 22 through 9 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 27. According to the Illinois Tollway, most lane closures will be temporarily suspended during this time.

The tollway reminds motorists to stay sober, safe, and alert while traveling this Thanksgiving weekend. They add that more than 7,000 vehicle accidents were a result of distracted driving that involved cellphones between 2011 and 2016.

Safe travels to everyone this holiday season!

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