Chicago expressways - West

Eisenhower Expy

East-West Tollway

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER EXPRESSWAY Route number: Interstate 290 Direction: West from downtown Chicago to western suburbs, and northwest to Schaumburg Length: 32 miles Opened: 1954 Original name: Congress Street expressway Renamed: 1964 to honor President and WWI veteran Eisenhower The Ike is my most frequently traveled expressway. Click here to learn more about commuting on the Ike.   Top of page Exit guide*

EAST-WEST TOLLWAY Route number: I-88 Direction: West from Eisenhower Expressway (Hillside) to Naperville, De Kalb, and Rock Falls Length: 143 miles Opened: early 1960's Alternate routes: Butterfield Road (Route 56) to North Aurora, and IL-30 continuing westward. Trivia bits:The East West Tollway's route number was changed at least four times. The change to Interstate 88 from an Illinois route number was made to allow a 65 MPH speed limit. A note to those who drive I-88: When was the last time you saw someone driving 65 on 88?   Top of page Exit guide*

* Exit guides are from Brandon Gorte's site. The links open in a new browser window.

Sources: Chicago Public Library, the Illinois Highways Page, and the Chicago Area Interstates Page.

Note: Length refers to total Illinois length. Direction is specific to the Chicago area.

Expressways are grouped by general direction from the Loop:  
North and Northwest, West, South, Southeast and Southwest,  and Perimeter/Outlying.