Illinois IFTA Calculator

Illinois is the freight hub of the Midwest and arguably the most critical throughput state in the country. Chicago is the largest rail hub in North America and one of the most important intermodal freight centers in the world. The I-290/I-90/I-94 interchange — known as the Jane Byrne Interchange — handles a staggering volume of commercial traffic connecting O'Hare freight, the tollway system, and the Indiana border. I-80 is the primary east-west interstate cutting through northern Illinois and connecting New York to San Francisco. I-55 runs diagonally from Chicago to St. Louis. I-57 runs south from Chicago toward Memphis. I-74 connects the Quad Cities to Champaign and Indianapolis.

Illinois's IFTA rate of $0.463 per gallon is one of the highest in the Midwest. Wisconsin at $0.329, Indiana at $0.530, Iowa at $0.325, and Missouri at $0.197 all create meaningful comparison points. Missouri is the clear winner for southbound drivers — top off before leaving Illinois heading south on I-55. Indiana is actually higher, so fuel in Illinois before entering Indiana on I-80 or I-74 if you can.

Illinois operates the tollway system through I-PASS for commercial vehicles, and toll rates are assessed per axle at each plaza. Keep track of toll expenditures separately from fuel costs — they are not deductible on IFTA filings but are important for overall cost-per-mile calculations. Standard weight limits are 80,000 lbs. Illinois does allow overweight permits on certain state routes.

Weigh stations on I-80 at the Indiana border near Portage, I-55 near Bourbonnais, and I-57 near Kankakee are among the most active. Chicago area congestion peaks badly from 6-9 AM and 3-7 PM on weekdays. For IFTA compliance, Illinois processes filings through the state's MyTax Illinois portal — Illinois miles are expensive to operate, so any fuel purchased in cheaper neighboring states that was burned in Illinois creates a tax liability you must account for.