Avoiding the Indiana Tollway
The rate for a class 5 vehicle to cross the Indiana Tollway on I80 is now $32.10. Divided by 133 miles 
that comes out to about 24 cents per mile. It was $12.80 for years. It has risen since the public/private partnership. To be honest with the electronic tolling it is definitely the easiest way across Indiana. It may not be the most profitable.
There are basically 3 ways to avoid the toll way. Routes 6, 20, and 30 will get you from Illinois to Ohio. US 20 will dump you out less than a mile from the Ohio Turnpike near the Indiana state line. So I will concentrate on that alternative. Coming from IL stay on I 94 to exit 40. Interstates 80 and 94 split neat exit 16 in Lake Station IN. If you stay straight you will be on I94.
You will be hitting a stop light about every 4-5 miles. About 20 miles in US 20 will require a left hand turn. Stay straight on RT. 2. It is easier. You will hook back up with US 20 near South Bend. There you will enjoy a limited access highway. It passes south of South Bend and Elkhart. After that it will once again become a 2 lane with wide shoulders for the Amish to use safely.
Saving the $32.10 is fine. It is the ultimate rationalization for dining with the Amish. There are 2 outstanding Amish restaurants near Middlebury, IN. The easiest one is the 5 & 20 diner. It is at the intersection of IN 5. It has gone commercial with a large electronic sign. The access is easy and the truck parking plentiful. It is a great place to sleep and get up for breakfast. It opens a 6, but remember that it is closed Sundays. The breakfast special is 2 eggs, 2 bacon, and 2 pancakes-for $4.99 and that includes the coffee.
The lunch specials are $5.99 and include the drink. The soup and salad bar are $7.99. I like to splurge
for the $11.99 buffet. Hint-The pork chops are outstanding. The six mile buffet is just a few miles to the east and I believe that they have the best bacon in the world. US 20 has been reconfigured between IN 5 and the six mile cafe. It is accessed more easily from the eastbound side. You can swing a truck in there and then continue on the old 20 for a couple of miles where they reunite.
The six mile cafe is where I discovered Apple Butter, and became an addict. I will always remember eating my bacon there. I was enjoying the best bacon I had ever tasted. Then I noticed the pig farm across the street, and thinking these people know pork.
Taking the 94-20-2 combination across Indiana takes about 30 minutes longer than the tollway. It is 152 miles and I 80 is about 157 miles. Next time you are considering the the Indiana tollway consider going across Amish country instead.
.