Renting a car in Chicago and tolls

[Cyclogenesis]

Once again I call upon the great pool of knowledge that is the AFF community!

Has anyone hired a car in Chicago? I need to drive from ORD to the lab where I am staying. From what I can tell the booths accept cash, but it is hard to be sure and it seems that those that do only do so in the form of exact change in coins... Is there a way to buy a day pass for the tollways, or do the rentals already come with tags (hiring from national)?

Any odd road rules (well apart from driving on the other side of the road)

 

[kamchatsky]

I was there in 2002 and 2003 for about 7 months. I rented car from Avis.
From my memory, when I paid tolls at I-294, I-90, I-94, they all have cash change, automatic cash no change and tag booths. And their tolls are cheap as well compared Sydney, like 50 cents etc. I am sure the toll has gone up these days.

So yes, always carry coins if possible.

Which suburb is the lab anyway? You may be able to avoid tolls?! (Not that it costs that much)

Have a look at the following website. It tell you everything about Chicago tolls:

http://www.illinoistollway.com/

"Odd rules" that I can remember:
- In freeway, always give way to any car merging in from entry lanes. The best way is to change to the middle lane from right lane (slowest lane).
- Speed limits is optional, as long as everyone does it and no more than 30 miles/hour over the existing limit, and there are no cop cars (This only applies to freeways and not local traffic).
- Turn right with care rule: Except where sign stated, you can turn right with care at red light, as long as you give way to pedestrians and other cars.
- It is OK to park diagonally in their shopping centre car parks because their car park space is so huge.
- You must turn on head lights if you use the window screen wipers (as it indicated that it is raining).
- Buy a USA Rand McNally road Map for like $5US from Walmart etc to get overview of all the roads in US, excellent for USA road trips.
- Don't look for petrol stations, look for gas stations. Everything is "gas" over there.

Usual disclaimer: Please check with local authorities on the rules above! I take no responsibilities for accuracies of these rules!

Hope this helps.

 

[Cyclogenesis]

Thanks! I'm glad you mentioned the red-light-right rule!

It is in Lemont, down i294 so yes you can avoid the tolls but happy to pay them rather than take forever.. And since it is my first time driving in the US I am happy to be taking a divided road most of the way

So, key seems to be to make sure I have lots of coins before hitting the road...

 

[kamchatsky]

Thanks! I'm glad you mentioned the red-light-right rule!

It is in Lemont, down i294 so yes you can avoid the tolls but happy to pay them rather than take forever.. And since it is my first time driving in the US I am happy to be taking a divided road most of the way

So, key seems to be to make sure I have lots of coins before hitting the road...

Looking at google maps, definitely take I-294 (toll) then I-55 (not sure about toll on I-55) for this. Chicago is huge and there is no way you can avoid freeways.

Based on my memory, you will encounter at least 2 tolls in I-294, assuming you arrive at ORD rather than Midway airport.

But if you are going to Chicago from Australia in 1 hit, and if travelling in economy, you may get very tired and jetlagged so I suggest not to drive until the next day. Or if you can, hire a car, and stay in hotel next to airport for the 1st night.

 

[drron]

I dropped my rental off at ORD in August.I294 out of ORD is a tollway.They do have cash booths and as far as I can tell you are going to the end of the Toll section the major toll points on the tollway do have manned booths for change.Some of the offramps though are totally automatic so it is best to get a whole lot of quarters-good for tollways,laundries,phones etc.
There are some toll exits that dont accept cash but I do not know of any on 294.
You can get Etags through most of the major rental agencies.I had one thrown in once by Hertz but never request it and so far no worries.Get the Rand mcnally atlas if you are going to do a few driving trips as the road rules mentioned do vary by state-some for example do not let you do a right hand turn on red lights-cant remember which off hand but you should check-just ask when you pick up your rental if unsure.illinois however do allow the right turn on red unless there is a sign saying no.

 

[UP4014]

They take cash and have a good system which has pricing suitable for the distance travelled.

Unlike the system we have here in Sydney which I make a point of never using. (Nick G and past failed lib leaders are experts at this sort of stuff apparently)

 

[Mr Ed]

Dont they have the E Tag in a metal box then its up to slide it out if wanted?

The I-Highway there is fantastic. No speed limits and good looking Cops.

 

[Cocitus23]

A couple of comments on above posts:
1. Don't believe those comments which suggest that there are no speed limits on part or all of the Interstate Highway system. There are speed limits on every part of it, and you do well to obey them. Highway Patrol action against offenders can be draconian by Australian standards.
2. Some have mentioned the worth of a Rand McNally atlas. I concur 100%. In fact, for anyone who visits USA from time to time, consider buying the Rand McNally "Tripmaker" software. It is cheap, easy to use, and just sensational for planning trips, or just as a reference. Available at any Walmart in North America.

 

[david870mdg]

I have been to Chicago a few times, but have never rented a car or driven.
On my most recent visit to friends who have lived there for years, they informed me that the tax on hire cars is $$$$ ridiculously high at ORD, and it would be worth taking the metro a few stops outside of the O'Hare county zone so as to avoid these taxes (20% vs 6%, don't quote me).
I found this very interesting, although most taxes do vary between Illinois counties, example downtown Chicago and the outer suburbs where I was staying.
Locals / regular travellers may be able to correct or verify the above, but I think it would be definitley worth considering or researching your options.
Enjoy Chicago as it's a great city.
Regards

David

 

[Cyclogenesis]

The car is being rented for me by the lab I am visiting... So I will leave that up to them

Thanks all for the advice.... Will need to stop in somewhere at LAX/ORD to get change...

Unfortunately a very tight schedule does not permit a night in transit.. but only a ~30mile drive from ORD to the lab/hotel so should be ok...