We were at the first checkpoint for over an hour, and the sun was all but gone by the time we pulled out. Right before we entered I-55N, I pulled into a Shell station to top off the fuel.
"Robert told me you guys don't drive by many stations", Aaron commented.
"Yeah...it's only been forty miles, but you never know what's around the next corner!"
We cruised at 3000 rpm up I-55N for fifteen miles, then jumped off on IL-16E, as is the usual for these small two lane state routes, they go through the heart of each small town along the way, and even some not so small towns. In the dark, trying to keep track of the route, as it snakes from Elm Street, to Broadway etc. with only small white route signs, it gets pretty interesting, but Aaron had his smart phone and just kept giving me simple "Right on this next road, or the second left", and I followed along.