18th September 2011

Robski

IL

United States of America

Fact

This is the El Rancho Motel on the Skokie Highway (US 41) in Gurnee Illinios. This Motel was used in the John Candy, Steve Martin Comedy 'Planes, Trains & Automobiles', in the scene where they stop for the night after their car has caught fire. They both eventually share the room and in the morning while trying to get their car out of the snow, they end up reversing it through the window into the motel room itself. I was lucky enough to stay here for a night in August 2000 in the room that was featured, (Room number 6). The interior looked exactly like the film, although the interior shots were done in a studio, they modeled it on the real room because in the film you do get a quick glimpse of the interior when Steve Martin opens the door. In the small lobby of the office there were a few 'Behind the scenes' pictures of the actors by the counter where you pay. ($17. and a nice watch).

Location not in other films