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Though I live here in Metro Detroit, I’m a native of Central Illinois (Peoria) and have done the route many times. For what it’s worth, I find I-57 slightly more desirable of a drive then taking I-55. As you approach the area where I-80/I-55/I-57/Illinois/Indiana meet, it all becomes industrial, highly congested, any pretty “unscenic” no matter the route. To your original concern, 57 is no more safer than 55. Personally, I would pass on Kankakee as it has become the kind of town I think your trying to avoid driving through. I would either do a stop somewhere in Central/Southern Illinois or hold out until Indiana or Michigan (things start to get “pretty” around New Buffalo).
Sometimes we often bypass that whole area in Illinois by flying along I-24, which is two lane farm country. You would take that from I-57 and connect up to 65. Take 65 to 94 and you bypass the mess and get into Michigan about 15-20 minutes later. Might be a little more distance wise, but you will probably avoid a lot of traffic up at the 80/55/94.
Have a safe trip.
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