Illinois 38 is an important highway, especially in the western suburbs of Chicago. It goes from the western border of the city through the Fox Valley and DeKalb to Dixon.
Intersections from east to west:
IL38 begins at US12/20/45 in western Cook County, near Westchester
IL83 by an underpass with IL56 (with which IL38 has no direct intersection)
, where Glen Ellyn meets Lombard
IL53 at Glen Ellyn
IL59 (at an obscure interchange; keep your eyes peeled)
IL25 in downtown Geneva
IL31 just across the river from IL25, at Geneva
IL47 near Elburn
IL23 in DeKalb
IL38 meets IL251 and follows it south in Rochelle
Then IL38 parts with IL251
After a long time of following along Interstate 88, IL38 finally ends at US52 in Dixon.
It passes through these towns: Westchester, Elmhurst, Villa Park, Lombard, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, West Chicago, Geneva, DeKalb, Rochelle, Ashton, Franklin Grove, Dixon.
It passes Maple Park and Cortland between Geneva and DeKalb, but IL38's path is around the towns, so no slowing down is necessary. Same goes for Malta and Creston, which are between Rochelle and DeKalb.
Notable places: Geneva is host to a beautiful downtown, and a wide variety of interesting shops. The magnificent mile of the Fox Valley is right along State Street (IL38). (Intriguing downtown shops seem to be a rarity in this state.)
Did you know that Route 38 was named for the sound of the number? At least a good chunk of it was called "US 30-A," as in a branch of the route US 30, which is still around today. Since the feds didn't want it theirs anymore, the state government took it over. And since "8" sounds like "A," the route got the number 38.
