All You Need to Know About I-55

I-55 runs north to south throughout the Midwest and the South, connecting major cities like Chicago, Memphis, and St. Louis.
Written by John Pickhaver
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Interstate 55, or I-55, covers 964 miles and runs from Chicago, Illinois at the I-94 down to LaPlace, Louisiana at the I-10 Interchange. 
I-55 passes through six states over the course of its 964-mile span from the Midwest to the South. It’s an excellent route to take to see some of the country’s best and most underrated cities. 
We've compiled a guide to help you along on I-55, from where it runs to how to make the most of your trip!
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What is an interstate highway?

Interstate highways run through a number of states and connect large metro areas throughout the country.
The system for numbering the interstate highways can be hard to follow. Typically, one or two-digit numbers are used to represent an interstate highway. A north-south route like I-55 has an odd number, whereas even numbers, like I-20, refer to an interstate that runs east-west. The more prominent roadways usually end in zero or five. 

What states does I-55 run through?

Running from Chicago, IL all the way down to LaPlace, LA, the I-55 takes you on a tour from the Midwest to the South. These are the states that I-55 passes through:

Major interchanges on I-55

If you plan on visiting any of the major cities along I-55, keep an eye out for these exits at some of the major connections and interchanges:
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Best places to eat along I-55

Nothing breaks up a leg of your road trip like a taste of the local flavor! There are a number of delicious places to grab a bite and take in some Southern charm on or just off of I-55. Check out a few of the options below:
  • The Rock Restaurant
    (Normal, IL): Modern Mediterranean options and American eats, from gyros to burgers.
  • Bob Evans
    (Springfield, IL): Casual American chain that started on an Ohio farm and is known for family-style meals and country vibe.
  • Rizzo's Italian Restaurant
    (St. Louis, MO): Informal Italian restaurant that serves up a diverse menu of classic pastas, steaks, and seafood dishes.
  • The Original Crusoe's Restaurant & Patrick McKeane's Pub
    (St. Louis, MO): An unpretentious eatery featuring American and Italian comfort grub with an old-school bar.
  • Lambert’s Cafe
    (Sikeston, MO): Folksy local chain with classic Southern fare that is home of "throwed rolls." Heads up! They don’t take credit cards. 
Pro Tip Remember to always confirm if your intended eatery is open! It doesn’t get much worse than taking a bit of a detour to find out the place is closed. 

What is there to do on I-55?

There’s plenty to do along I-55 as you travel through cities like
Chicago
,
Memphis
, and
St. Louis
, especially when it comes to museums and other historic sites. 
Here are just a few examples of things to see along I-55:

Find affordable car insurance with Jerry

Whether you’re just on your way to work or on the road trip of your dreams, be sure to have a quality car insurance policy as you travel along I-55. To score the best rates, you can rely on the car insurance super app
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.
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