Basically that's the question: Does this IC let me connect LEDs directly to the outputs or should I use transistors?
Electronic – Do 4017 decade counters sink current
integrated-circuit
Related Solutions
Datasheet clearly says, that maximum 'freeair'(breadboard case) power dissipation is ~1.5-2W. At 360mA, and 1.8V maximum voltage drop inside chip, you are dissipating 0.648W per channel.
So, if you will have 3 or 4 channels in high state, you are exceeding your maximum power budget.
While reaching this is probably not very likely (all channels connected to stall motors), but if you want to be safe, add some heatsink to this chip, and you'll be fine even on breadboard.
The MM5450 may do what you want.
34 outputs, serial fed, chainable.
Notionally 3 pins to drive (clock, data, latch) but can be driven with 1 pin if needed. Digikey $4.39/1 This one in DIP-40 but also available in LCC.
if this does not suit your need you need to provide a more complete description of your requirement.
Outputs are open drain, ie either on = low or off = float or open circuit.
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Best Answer
Looking at a couple of the datasheets (there are a few variants with slightly different specs), you would be much better to use a transistor as the source/sink capability is not very high.
For example the recommended operating conditions for the ST version give only 1mA source/sink typical at 5V and 25degC (whilst remaining within 0.4V of rails)
If you power it from 15V it rises to 6.8mA (3mA min), but that's still not great, considering a typical 5mm LED can be run up to 20mA (30mA in some cases)
Here's the relevant bit of the datasheet: