Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) Guide: Tolls, Exits & Travel Info 2025
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Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) Complete Guide
System: All-electronic toll collection (I-PASS/E-ZPass compatible)
Length: 76 miles from O'Hare Airport to Wisconsin state line
Route: Northwest corridor serving Rockford, Elgin, Schaumburg
Technology: Open road tolling with overhead gantries
Operator: Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA)
Do I Need I-PASS for Jane Addams Tollway? 2025 Update
No, you don't need I-PASS to drive on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway - but you'll pay exactly double without it. This major northwest corridor operates with 100% electronic tolling since 2021.
Key Reality: The full-length journey from O'Hare to Wisconsin costs $3.95 with I-PASS versus $7.90 without - making I-PASS essential for regular travelers on this Chicago-Wisconsin connector.
2025 Status: Following a $2.5 billion reconstruction completed in 2016, the tollway now features wider shoulders for future transit use and active traffic management from IL-59 eastward.
Jane Addams Tollway Costs: Current Rates
The Jane Addams Memorial Tollway features both mainline and ramp toll plazas with rates varying by location and vehicle type.
Current Toll Plaza Rates (2025)
| Plaza Location | I-PASS Rate | Pay Online Rate | Plaza Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Beloit (#1) | $0.75 | $1.50 | Mainline |
| Belvidere (#5) | $0.75 | $1.50 | Mainline (WB only) |
| Marengo (#8) | $0.75 | $1.50 | Mainline (EB only) |
| Elgin (#11) | $0.75 | $1.50 | Mainline |
| Devon Avenue (#17) | $0.75 | $1.50 | Mainline (WB only) |
| River Road (#19) | $0.75 | $1.50 | Mainline (EB only) |
| IL-47 Ramp | $0.30-0.45 | $0.60-0.90 | All-electronic ramp |
Route Overview (2025)
Western Section: I-39/I-90/US-51 concurrent from Wisconsin border to Cherry Valley
Eastern Section: I-90 solo from Cherry Valley through suburbs to O'Hare area
How to Pay Jane Addams Tollway Tolls
You can use the following toll payment methods on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway:
1. I-PASS/E-ZPass Electronic Systems:
- I-PASS: 50% discount on all Illinois Tollway roads
- E-ZPass: Accepted with same discount benefits
- Open road tolling: No stopping required at any plaza
- Sticker tags available free at service centers
2. Pay By Plate (Online):
- 10-day grace period to pay online
- Double the I-PASS rate for all tolls
- Camera captures license plate automatically
- Invoice sent after 14 days with additional fees
To calculate toll costs for your specific journey on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, use TollGuru Illinois toll calculator
Recent Changes & Construction (2025)
Infrastructure Updates:
- River Road Plaza canopy removal ongoing through 2025
- IL-53 ramp closures for toll equipment upgrades
- Active traffic management operational from IL-59 to Kennedy Expressway
- Speed limit: 70 mph from I-39 to Randall Road, 60 mph east of Mount Prospect Road
Historical Context:
- Renamed from Northwest Tollway in 2007 for Nobel laureate Jane Addams
- $2.5 billion reconstruction completed 2013-2016
- Inside shoulders widened for future Bus on Shoulder operations
- Passenger car rates unchanged since 2012 for I-PASS users
Major Exits & Interchanges
Key Access Points:
- Exit 1: South Beloit/Wisconsin state line
- Exit 15: US-20 Business/Rockford
- Exit 25: I-39/US-20 split at Cherry Valley
- Exit 42: US-20/Marengo
- Exit 54: IL-31/Elgin
- Exit 68: IL-53/I-290 interchange
- Exit 78: I-294 Tri-State Tollway/O'Hare Airport
- Eastern terminus: Kennedy Expressway connection
Service Facilities:
- Belvidere Oasis: Only remaining over-highway service area
- Multiple exits with fuel and food near interchanges
- I-PASS customer service at select locations
Planning Your Journey
Distance & Travel Times:
- Full length: 76 miles (90 minutes typical)
- O'Hare to Rockford: 60 miles (65-75 minutes)
- Rockford to Wisconsin: 16 miles (15-20 minutes)
- Peak congestion: Weekdays 6-9 AM, 3-7 PM near Chicago
Cost Examples (with I-PASS):
- O'Hare to Wisconsin full length: $3.95
- Schaumburg to Elgin: $0.75
- Rockford to O'Hare: $3.00
- Without I-PASS: Double all rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I avoid tolls between Chicago and Wisconsin?
Yes, via US-14 through Crystal Lake and Harvard, but this adds 30-45 minutes. The parallel US-20 is also toll-free but significantly slower through urban areas.
Why are some toll plazas one-direction only?
The tollway uses barrier toll plazas strategically placed to collect tolls efficiently. Westbound traffic pays at Devon Avenue and Belvidere, while eastbound pays at River Road and Marengo.
Do motorcycles pay tolls on Jane Addams?
Yes, motorcycles pay the same toll rates as passenger cars on all Illinois Tollway roads including the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.
What happened to cash toll collection?
Cash collection ended permanently in March 2020. All tolls are now collected electronically via I-PASS/E-ZPass or Pay By Plate online payment.
Is this the same as the Northwest Tollway?
Yes, the Northwest Tollway was renamed Jane Addams Memorial Tollway in 2007 to honor the Nobel Peace Prize winner and Hull House founder.
Jane Addams vs. Other Chicago Area Tollways
| Tollway | Length | Full Trip Cost (I-PASS) | Key Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jane Addams (I-90) | 76 miles | $3.95 | Chicago-Wisconsin |
| Tri-State (I-94/294/80) | 79 miles | $4.20 | Chicago bypass |
| Reagan Memorial (I-88) | 96 miles | $4.80 | Chicago-Quad Cities |
| Veterans Memorial (I-355) | 29 miles | $1.90 | North-South connector |
| Route 390 | 10 miles | $1.90 | O'Hare bypass |
Adjacent State Connections
- Wisconsin: Continues as I-39/90 (toll-free)
- Indiana: Connect via Chicago Skyway or I-80/94
- Iowa: Access via Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88)
