Illinois Route 38

Illinois Route 38 is a major east-west state highway in northeastern Illinois, connecting the Chicago metropolitan area to the western suburbs and beyond, passing through Kane County, DuPage County, and Cook County. The route spans from U.S. Route 30 in Frankfort to U.S. Route 12 and U.S. Route 20 in Chicago, intersecting with several major highways, including Interstate 294, Interstate 355, and Interstate 88. Along its route, Illinois Route 38 passes through various cities and villages, such as St. Charles, Geneva, and Elmhurst, which are home to notable institutions like the Fermilab, Argonne National Laboratory, and Elmhurst College.

● Route Description

The route begins at an intersection with U.S. Route 30 in Frankfort and proceeds east, passing through the Des Plaines River valley and the Illinois Prairie Path. As it approaches the Chicago metropolitan area, Illinois Route 38 intersects with several major highways, including Interstate 355 and Interstate 88, which provide connections to O'Hare International Airport and the Chicago Loop. The route continues east, passing through the cities of St. Charles and Geneva, which are known for their historic downtown areas and cultural attractions like the Geneva History Center and the St. Charles History Museum. Further east, the route intersects with Interstate 294 and passes through the Schaumburg area, home to the Schaumburg Convention Center and the Woodfield Mall, one of the largest shopping centers in the United States, attracting visitors from nearby cities like Arlington Heights and Palatine.

● History

The history of Illinois Route 38 dates back to the early 20th century, when it was established as a state bond issue route, with the goal of improving transportation infrastructure in northeastern Illinois. Over the years, the route has undergone several realignments and improvements, including the construction of new interchanges and the widening of existing roadways. In the 1950s and 1960s, the route was upgraded to a four-lane highway, with the addition of new intersections and interchanges, such as the one with Interstate 88, which was built as part of the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956. More recently, the route has been improved with the addition of new traffic signals and the reconstruction of existing intersections, such as the one with Illinois Route 59 in Aurora, which is also home to the Aurora University and the Paramount Theatre.

● Major Intersections

Illinois Route 38 intersects with several major highways, including Interstate 294, Interstate 355, and Interstate 88, which provide connections to O'Hare International Airport, the Chicago Loop, and other major destinations in the Chicago metropolitan area. The route also intersects with other state highways, such as Illinois Route 25 and Illinois Route 59, which provide connections to nearby cities like Elgin and Naperville. Additionally, the route passes through the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, which offers recreational opportunities and scenic views, and is also close to the Cantigny Park and the Morton Arboretum, popular attractions in the western suburbs.

● Traffic Volume

The traffic volume on Illinois Route 38 varies depending on the location and time of day, with the highest volumes typically occurring during rush hour periods. According to data from the Illinois Department of Transportation, the route carries an average of over 20,000 vehicles per day, with the highest volumes occurring in the Schaumburg area, which is a major commercial and retail hub, featuring the Woodfield Mall and the Schaumburg Convention Center. The route is also an important connector for commuters traveling between the western suburbs and Chicago, with many using the route to access O'Hare International Airport and other major employment centers, such as the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

● Junction List

The junction list for Illinois Route 38 includes several major intersections and interchanges, such as the ones with Interstate 294, Interstate 355, and Interstate 88, which provide connections to O'Hare International Airport, the Chicago Loop, and other major destinations in the Chicago metropolitan area. The route also intersects with other state highways, such as Illinois Route 25 and Illinois Route 59, which provide connections to nearby cities like Elgin and Naperville. Additionally, the route passes through the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and is close to the Cantigny Park and the Morton Arboretum, popular attractions in the western suburbs, which are also near the Wheaton and Glen Ellyn areas, featuring the Wheaton College and the College of DuPage.