With most of Illinois being rural farmland, learning how to safely drive at night is a rite of passage for many Midwesterners. On the opposite spectrum are the state's highways, which can be a lesson in survival, themselves. Either way, the wide open roads make for plenty of great driving trips in Illinois. Yet, not every roadway is created equal. In fact, the most terrifying roads in Illinois may scare you for reasons all over the map — physically or psychologically.
1. We'll start with one of the state's most legendary "haunted" roads, with an ominous name to match: Bloods Point Road in Boone County. Growing up, this was always a thrill-seeker's destination, with rumors of mysterious lights, phantom cars, possessed dogs, and vanishing barns.
Located along approximately 5 miles of rural highway, the creepy name (which is abbreviated to Bl. Point Rd because it's so scary) actually dates back to the Blood family. The backroad is also home to Bloods Point Cemetery, where local lore says a witch is buried. One of the most infamous stories of the road goes that after a Halloween party in the 1950s or 60s, a bus full of children crashed and everyone, including the clown-costumed driver, perished. Now, he's among the ghostly characters supposedly seen at the site.
2. The Acid Bridge along Lebanon Road in Collinsville is another thoroughfare with a disturbing reputation.
(Check out the YouTube video at the end of this article for more information about this bridge.)
3. Along U.S. Highway 45 in Illinois you'll see plenty of scenic landscapes and interesting small towns, like that of Metropolis, aka the state's Superman capital.
Yet, the highway is anything but heroic — in fact, it's one of the deadliest roadways in Illinois.
The 428-mile stretch runs from approximately Antioch to Brookport and sees about 11 fatalities each year. It has been named several times by highway studies as the deadliest highway in the Land of Lincoln.
4. You'll find more tragic accident history at the former Dead Man's Curve on the former Route 66 in Towanda, Illinois. The unexpected 90-degree turn between Jackson and Quincy streets caught many drivers off-guard and resulted in many accidents, earning it its unflattering nickname.
Over the years, much of the original Route 66 was decommissioned and Dead Man's Curve is no longer the threat it once was. It's now a lightly-used backroad without the high stakes. Today, most of Route 66 has been replaced with Interstate 55.
The old Route 66 was so dangerous, it was known as "Bloody 66" for the amount of accidents that occurred.
5. However, I-55 isn't much better — it's also the site of frequent accidents, altercations, road construction, and jaw-clenching traffic.
Just looking at this aerial photo of I-55 at the I-355 exchange is giving me anxiety.
Known as the Stevenson Expressway in and around Chicago where I-55 starts, this roadway has seen it all: toxic spills, violent shootouts, NASCAR-wannabe drivers, tons of deadly accidents, and so much more.
Even though it was meant to replace old "Bloody 66," I-55 continues on the reputation and often devastating legacy as its predecessor. And if the safety conditions don't get you, the mind-numbing traffic and never-ending construction likely will.
Have you ever driven any of the most terrifying roads in Illinois? What's your scariest experience? Is there a road that we missed? Tell us in the comments! And if you're looking for Illinois road trip ideas, check out these 10 best trips everyone should take at least once!
Learn more about the Acid Bridge below!
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