Survey of Illinois Drivers Reveals the 2 Most Avoided Winter Roads in the State. 

• Survey of 3,004 drivers.
• I-55 (Chicago — Central Illinois) the most avoided winter route in IL.
• Infographic showing the most avoided winter routes in the U.S.

When winter weather hits, many drivers quietly change their routes – not because certain roads are officially unsafe, but because they feel more stressed, exposed, or unpredictable 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 Americans are most likely to avoid during winter weather. 

The 2 most avoided roads in Illinois are:

#1. I-55 (Chicago — Central Illinois)
I-55 feels straightforward most of the year, but winter changes the equation. Open stretches are prone to blowing snow, and freezing rain can make the road deceptively slick. When visibility drops, locals often delay trips rather than push through.

#2. U.S. Route 20 (Northern Illinois)
Away from the city, winter driving becomes more exposed. Long, open sections of US-20 are vulnerable 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
People who’ve driven the Seward Highway for years still don’t take it lightly in winter. With sheer cliffs, known avalanche spots, and weather rolling in quickly off Turnagain Arm, conditions can change before you’ve had time to react. Once snow and ice set in, a lot of locals would rather sit tight than risk a drive that leaves very little room for mistakes.

#2. Glenn Highway (Anchorage — Palmer / Glennallen), Alaska
For a lot of people heading out of Anchorage, the Glenn Highway is hard to avoid – but winter makes it a tougher proposition. Winds can be strong, snow blows across the road, and icy sections show up without much warning. With few places to pull over or get help if something breaks down, most drivers don’t take it lightly and will only use the route when it’s absolutely necessary.

#3. Dalton Highway (Fairbanks — Prudhoe Bay), Alaska
This is one road Alaskans don’t “take a chance” on in winter. Extreme cold, whiteout conditions, and hundreds of miles with little help nearby mean the Dalton is widely avoided unless travel is unavoidable. For most drivers, winter simply isn’t the season to be up there.

#4. I-94 (Detroit — Ann Arbor), Michigan
This busy commuter corridor doesn’t take much winter weather to feel difficult. Snow, ice, and heavy traffic can quickly combine into stop-start driving, and slick bridges are a common concern. It’s a stretch many drivers would rather avoid during storms if they have flexibility.

Infographic showing the most avoided winter roads in the country

“What stood out to us wasn’t just that people avoid certain roads in winter – it’s that these decisions are often driven by perception as much as conditions,” says a spokesperson for RVWindshieldReplacement.com. “Darkness, exposure, high winds, and the fear of sudden ice or debris all play a role. Even when a road is technically open and maintained, drivers will reroute if it feels unpredictable. That instinctive caution is completely human – and it highlights how winter driving anxiety can change behavior long before an accident ever happens.”