We are deep into January in Chicago, and many of us are barely leaving our apartments. However, if you do venture out, getting behind the wheel can seem daunting.
This is why, when winter weather hits, many drivers quietly modify or change their routes—not because certain roads are closed, but because they feel more stressed, exposed, or uncertain in cold, dark, or icy conditions.
To explore how winter affects everyday driving behavior, RVWindshieldReplacement.com, a national network of RV auto glass experts, surveyed 3,004 drivers to identify the major roads that Illinois residents are most likely to avoid during winter weather.
The 2 most avoided roads in Illinois during the winter
1. I-55 (Chicago — Central Illinois)
While I-55 feels straightforward most of the year, winter changes things. Open stretches are susceptible to blowing snow, and freezing rain can render the road deceptively slippery. When visibility decreases, locals often postpone trips rather than push through.
2. U.S. Route 20 (Northern Illinois)
Away from the city, winter driving becomes more perilous. Long, open sections of US-20 are susceptible to drifting snow and sudden whiteouts, making it a route drivers tend to skip when conditions worsen—especially after dark.
Nationally, the top 4 most avoided routes are:
1. Seward Highway (Turnagain Arm & Turnagain Pass), Alaska
2. Glenn Highway (Anchorage — Palmer / Glennallen), Alaska
3. Dalton Highway (Fairbanks — Prudhoe Bay), Alaska
4. I-94 (Detroit — Ann Arbor), Michigan