Best stops on I-294 in Illinois

All 38 exits ranked by what a road-tripper actually needs: real food choice, easy gas, 24-hour service, and the stops worth a detour. Winners below.

1. Exit 45 — Golf Road

Milepost 45 · 29 places to eat · 14 gas stations · 12 hotels · open 24 hours · ♥ Robert Kennicott House, Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center

2. Exit 33 — Rockford;Elmhurst

Milepost 33 · 29 places to eat · 16 gas stations · 10 hotels · open 24 hours · ♥ Villa Park Historical Society Museum, Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio

3. Exit 8 — 147th Street;Sibley Boulevard

Milepost 8 · 24 places to eat · 14 gas stations · 7 hotels · ♥ Pullman National Historical Park, Historic Pullman Foundation Exhibit Hall

4. Exit 39 — Balmoral Avenue

Milepost 39 · 29 places to eat · 10 gas stations · 12 hotels · ♥ National Veterans Art Museum, Irish American Heritage Center

5. Exit 44B — Dempster Street

Milepost 44 · 29 places to eat · 13 gas stations · 10 hotels · ♥ Legoland Discovery Center Chicago, 1000 gecs tree

6. Exit 0 — Chicago;Danville

Milepost 0 · 18 places to eat · 12 gas stations · 13 hotels · ♥ Mascot Hall of Fame, Camp Shabbona Woods

7. Exit 52 — Lake–Cook Road

Milepost 52 · 29 places to eat · 8 gas stations · 11 hotels · ♥ Raupp Museum, Cuneo Mansion

8. Exit 48 — Willow Road

Milepost 48 · 29 places to eat · 7 gas stations · 18 hotels · ♥ Kohl Childrens Museum, Anita Willets Burnham Log House

9. Exit 12A — Cicero Avenue;127th Street

Milepost 12 · 29 places to eat · 12 gas stations · 7 hotels · 24/7 travel center

10. Exit 38B–A — Indiana;Irving Park Road

Milepost 38 · 29 places to eat · 13 gas stations · 16 hotels · ♥ Wonder Works Children's Museum, Schiller Woods Magic Water Pump

← Every I-294 exit in Illinois