Interstate 55
New Orleans, LA to Chicago, IL
I-55 runs 966 miles from New Orleans north through Jackson, Memphis, St. Louis, and Springfield to Chicago. It is the primary Mississippi Valley north-south freight corridor, connecting Gulf Coast ports and southern agriculture to the Chicago intermodal hub. The route follows the Mississippi River valley through predominantly flat terrain, making it one of the more manageable long-haul corridors in the US. Dense river fog can reduce visibility severely, particularly between Memphis and St. Louis in autumn and winter.
Length
966 miles
966 miles
Risk Rating
LOW
LOW
Risk Factors
Mississippi River valley fog
Chicago urban congestion (I-80/94 interchange)
Spring flooding risk (lower valley)
Connected Hubs
Regions
United States
South
Midwest