Illinois Route 242
Encyclopedia
Illinois Route 242 is a 18.67 miles (30.05 km) north–south state highway in southern Illinois
that runs from Illinois Route 142
in McLeansboro
north to Illinois Route 15
in Wayne City
. The route serves as a spur of Illinois Route 142
, which runs north–south from Mount Vernon
to Equality
. Route 242 also connects two east–west trunk routes, Illinois Route 14
and Illinois 15. Route 242 passes through the counties of Hamilton and Wayne. The highway is maintained by the Illinois Department of Transportation
.
, passing through farmland with scattered houses. It runs through South Crouch Township
before entering Crouch Township
. Route 242 passes to the east of Belle Prairie City
before crossing into Wayne County. The highway enters Orel Township
in Wayne County and intersects Interstate 64
in the unincorporated community
of Mayberry
. Route 242 heads northwest from Mayberry before turning north toward Wayne City. The highway terminates in Wayne City at a junction with Route 15.
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
that runs from Illinois Route 142
Illinois Route 142
Illinois Route 142 is a major arterial road in southeastern Illinois. It runs from near the town center of Equality at Calhoun Street, a local road, north to Illinois Route 37 and the northern terminus of Illinois Route 148 in Mount Vernon. This is a distance of .- Route description :Illinois 142...
in McLeansboro
McLeansboro, Illinois
McLeansboro is a city in Hamilton County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,883 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Hamilton County. Located in Southern Illinois, the town was named for Dr. William B. McLean, who donated the land for its founding...
north to Illinois Route 15
Illinois Route 15
Illinois Route 15 is an east–west highway with its western terminus at Illinois Route 3, U.S. Route 40, I-55, I-64, and I-70 and its eastern terminus at Wabash River at the Illinois/Indiana Border where it meets Indiana 64. This is a distance of ....
in Wayne City
Wayne City, Illinois
Wayne City is a village in Wayne County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,089 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Wayne City is located at ....
. The route serves as a spur of Illinois Route 142
Illinois Route 142
Illinois Route 142 is a major arterial road in southeastern Illinois. It runs from near the town center of Equality at Calhoun Street, a local road, north to Illinois Route 37 and the northern terminus of Illinois Route 148 in Mount Vernon. This is a distance of .- Route description :Illinois 142...
, which runs north–south from Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon, Illinois
Mount Vernon is a city located near the center of Jefferson County, Illinois, in the United States. In the 2010 census, the city's reported population was 15,277 people....
to Equality
Equality, Illinois
Equality is a village in Gallatin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 721 at the 2000 census. Near the village are two points of interest, the Crenshaw House and the Garden of the Gods Wilderness.-History:...
. Route 242 also connects two east–west trunk routes, Illinois Route 14
Illinois Route 14
Illinois Route 14 is a major east–west highway in southern Illinois. It runs from U.S. Route 51 south of Du Quoin to the New Harmony Toll Bridge over the Wabash River to State Road 66 at the Indiana state line...
and Illinois 15. Route 242 passes through the counties of Hamilton and Wayne. The highway is maintained by the Illinois Department of Transportation
Illinois Department of Transportation
The Illinois Department of Transportation is a state agency in charge of state-maintained public roadways of the U.S. state of Illinois. In addition, IDOT provides funding for rail, public transit and airport projects and administers fuel tax and federal funding to local juridictions in the...
.
Route description
Route 242 begins at an intersection with Route 142 in McLeansboro, Hamilton County; this intersection is near Route 14, which runs through McLeansboro to the south. The route heads north from McLeansboro into McLeansboro TownshipMcLeansboro Township, Hamilton County, Illinois
McLeansboro Township is one of twelve townships in Hamilton County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 3,917.-Geography:...
, passing through farmland with scattered houses. It runs through South Crouch Township
South Crouch Township, Hamilton County, Illinois
South Crouch Township is one of twelve townships in Hamilton County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 249. It was formed from Crouch Township sometime after 1921.-Geography:...
before entering Crouch Township
Crouch Township, Hamilton County, Illinois
Crouch Township is one of twelve townships in Hamilton County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 408.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Crouch Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Unincorporated towns:* Aden at * Garrison at *...
. Route 242 passes to the east of Belle Prairie City
Belle Prairie City, Illinois
Belle Prairie City is an incorporated town in Hamilton County, Illinois, United States. The population was 60 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Mount Vernon Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
before crossing into Wayne County. The highway enters Orel Township
Orel Township, Wayne County, Illinois
Orel Township is located in Wayne County, Illinois. The population was 1,467 at the 2000 census.- External links :***...
in Wayne County and intersects Interstate 64
Interstate 64
Interstate 64 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Its western terminus is at I-70, U.S. 40, and U.S. 61 in Wentzville, Missouri. Its eastern terminus is at an interchange with I-264 and I-664 at Bowers Hill in Chesapeake, Virginia. As I-64 is concurrent with...
in the unincorporated community
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
of Mayberry
Mayberry, Illinois
Mayberry is an unincorporated community in Wayne County, Illinois, United States. Mayberry is located at the junction of Interstate 64 and Illinois Route 242 north of Belle Prairie City....
. Route 242 heads northwest from Mayberry before turning north toward Wayne City. The highway terminates in Wayne City at a junction with Route 15.