Our driving tips for Illinois will help you navigate your way around the state without worry. We cover a range of road rules and regulations that are unique to Illinois and also provide some ideas for things to do on your vacation or business trip to the state.
General Rules and Regulations
Here are some basic rules of the road in Illinois that you should know before you start your road trip.
- All passengers, as well as the driver, are required to wear seatbelts at all times.
- Drivers over 19 years of age can use hands-free kits but only single ear hands-free devices are allowed while mobile phone use is completely forbidden for drivers under 19.
- Children under 8 years of age must be seated in an appropriately sized safety seat.
- Drivers must yield to pedestrians, funeral processions and all situations where accidents can be avoided.
- Beware of playing your music too loud! In Illinois sound must not be heard 75 feet or more from your vehicle.
- Allow a distance of 3 feet or more when passing cyclists or pedestrians.
- It is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol or medical cannabis.
- In Illinois, it is a serious offense to pass a school bus on a road with 2 lanes or less while its lights are flashing and/or when it’s loading and unloading passengers.
Speed Limits in Illinois
Generally, in Illinois, the Interstates are signposted with a minimum and maximum speed limit. Here are the general speed limits you can expect across the state.
| Within City Limits | 30 mph (48 km/h) |
| Rural Highways | 65 mph (105 km/h) |
| Interstates | 70 mph (113 km/h) |
Turning and Parking
In Illinois, there are different rules regarding U-turns for the state and for the city of Chicago. In Chicago, you should not make a U-turn within 100 feet of an intersection and there are particular areas where they are forbidden altogether including some parts of Michigan Avenue, Wacker Drive, and Congress Parkway. In Illinois, you should only make a U-turn if it is safe to do so and will not obstruct the flow of traffic. You should also allow 500 feet of visibility in either direction.
Below are some of the main rules for parking in Illinois. These can differ by the city but will usually be signposted when the local law differs from the state laws.
- Do not park in front of a driveway, on a bridge, on railroad tracks, in highway tunnels, on controlled access roads, on crossovers, paved roads outside residences or businesses when it is possible to park elsewhere, or on sidewalks.
- Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant
- Do not park within 30 feet of a traffic signal, flashing beacon or yield sign.
- Do not double park on the road beside a parked vehicle.
Car Rental with SIXT in Illinois
Our Illinois branch is located in one of the state’s main attractions: Chicago. The city dominates the state and is located on the ocean-like shores of Lake Michigan, making it a fabulous summer destination for the beach and watersports, and for road trips along the shoreline all year round. Chicago has all the main ingredients for the perfect American metropolis: a vibrant music scene, decadent cuisine, fantastic Broadway shows, towering skyscrapers and architecture, and epic museums. The city is also at the beginning (or end) of the famous Route 66 and the state of Illinois has some of the best stretches, incorporating drive-in movie theaters, corn dog stands and the quirky roadside attractions the route is famous for.
