Avoiding traffic around Chicago-Help

[tlhdoc]

HELP! Next summer I plan on going to South Dakota and will be traveling out I-80 to the Chicago area.  One way out or back I plan on traveling I-90 west of Chicago and the other way I plan on traveling on I-80.  On weekdays what is the worst/best times to travel that area and what are the best roads to use to avoid the traffic?

[SpeakEasy]

Heh! That's a good one!

Oh, you weren't joking?

I've been told the only time you can avoid bumper-to-bumper in that area is about 3:00AM.

Seriously though, you can pretty much plan on heavy traffic at all times of the day. That isn't the worst of it though. Two years ago, which was my most recent time through what you're describing, the worst part was I-90 for about the next 100 miles west of Chicago. The road was in terrible condition, and with the popup along for the ride it made every bump seem magnified. Potholes and washboard the whole way. I hope they've fixed it up.

[Kelly]

I say stay on I-80 until you hit I-39 and then head north to catch I-90.  It is slightly out-of-the way, but at least you can keep moving and you won't have to contend with all the traffic.  You also avoid the tollways, but I assume living in the east that you are used to them.  We don't have any (that I know of) in Minnesota.

This is the route I take when I head home from points east ... and the route I take when I head east.  I avoid Chicago like the plague.  It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I've already had mine!

You might want to email Sully349 ... IIRC, he lives somewhere around Chicago.  He may know some alternate routes that don't involve the interstates.

Good luck ... let us know what you decide to do.[/FONT]

[Campaholics]

Thdoc,

Do not take I-90/94 through Chicago.  24/7 it's a bummer.  
 
Grit your teeth a bit, and take I-294 around Chicago to I-290 west.  I-290 west to I-90 west.  The soutern portion of I-294 has been under a lot of construction, plus they are reworking all the toll plazas to expand the use of electronic tolls without stopping.  Those of us that take the expressways every day have to become a bit philosophical or go a bit nuts.  
 
I-290 west bound and the first ten miles of I-90 west bound varies during the evening rush hour (3:30-6:30) from sail right through to a long skinny parking lot.  Most of the times it moves at about 50-60 mph.  The rest of the day shouldn't be too bad.  Without the electronic toll pass you will get hit $0.40 per axle.  I-294 and the stretch of I-90 you will be on are toll roads.
 
I don't know what I-80 is like.  Living in the far northwestern suburbs, I don't get down that way very often.
 
As far as interstates vs other roads, I recommend staying on the interstates.  They almost always move much better than the other roads, and are easier to find your way.  
 
Regards,
Bob

[lushy]

thdoc,
Bob is right. That is probably your best route. I always plan for and expect some type of delay when going through/around Chicago. Sometimes you may zip right through, sometimes you don't!!?? When you live here, you get a little use to it. :screwy: Have some $$$ handy for the tolls also!

You will probably be traveling in the Chicago "construction season" which runs from January to December.  :p

As far as I-80 goes.....from my travels it's usually not bad at all on the stretch you will be on in the Chicago area.

Good luck and travel safe!

[AustinBoston]

I say stay on I-80 until you hit I-39 and then head north to catch I-90.  It is slightly out-of-the way, but at least you can keep moving and you won't have to contend with all the traffic.

This is the only route I will take in that area any more.  It is actually faster most of the time than the 100 mile shorter route through Chicago.

You also avoid the tollways, but I assume living in the east that you are used to them.  We don't have any (that I know of) in Minnesota.

You avoid most of the tollways.  The last few miles of I-39 is joined by I-90, and you will have to pay a toll.  cars are $1.00, cars with single-axle trailers are $3.85.  Cars with two-axle trailers are also $3.85.

Kelly, you are right about Minnesota having no toll roads.  It is one of 37 states that do not.  But...there are some express lanes that they have (or are going to) make toll lanes.  You will not be required to pay, but if you don't, you are not allowed to use the segregated express lanes.  I don't recall where thart is - it's far enough away from me I've not taken a lot of interest. in it.

This is the route I take when I head home from points east ... and the route I take when I head east.  I avoid Chicago like the plague.  It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I've already had mine!

See my upcoming post on toll roads.

Austin

[BargainBlog]

I took a new job in Iowa a few years back and was living in Ohio at the time so I had to drive back and forth every week for 3 months.  In on Sunday out out on Friday.  Never a good time to go through.  When we lived in Iowa and came back to Ohio to visit we would leave at 9:00 at night and breeze through the Chicago area at between 2-3 in the morning.  Only problem we ever had going through in the wee hours was the time that a semi full of US mail was dumping carts of mail all over the road.  We had to dodge carts and envelopes for over 8 miles before we passed the semi along side the road with the driver finally putting his rolling door back down!

[sully349]

Tlcdoc-Funny you should ask...I just came back thru Chicago this morning and its not too bad. Stay off of 80/94, its a parking lot most of the time. I travel the toll roads and usually get thru without too many problems but....
Illinois Dept of Transportation has planned several road projects for next year and people are already saying that the city will be gridlocked. I too am planning a trip to the Black Hills for next June and I havent looked at how Ill get there. Im waiting to see what projects will be up and running then Ill plan a way around it. Save my email address (sully349@msn.com ("sully349@msn.com")) and let me know when you're going and we'll get you thru....

[tlhdoc]

Tlcdoc-Funny you should ask...I just came back thru Chicago this morning and its not too bad. Stay off of 80/94, its a parking lot most of the time. I travel the toll roads and usually get thru without too many problems but....
Illinois Dept of Transportation has planned several road projects for next year and people are already saying that the city will be gridlocked. I too am planning a trip to the Black Hills for next June and I havent looked at how Ill get there. Im waiting to see what projects will be up and running then Ill plan a way around it. Save my email address (sully349@msn.com ("sully349@msn.com")) and let me know when you're going and we'll get you thru....

I will be going July 20th, sot that will be after you go.  I will keep you in mind and look forward to your report.

[tlhdoc]

Thank you one and all for all the help.  

 
Any other suggestions?  Maybe I should plan to drive through the area at 3 AM.

[Campaholics]

Last summer the southern portion of I294 into Indiania was rotten 24/7.  Under what passes as normal, I like to be clear of the Chicago area by 6:30 AM.  
 
Ask us again in May or June when we know just which sections will be screwed up.
 
Bob

[Fast Ed]

We say that the worst thing about living in SE Wisconsin is that you have to drive thru Chicago to go anywhere east.  I usually drive downtown and take the skyway to Indiana.  If you don't have to take 94, the tollway around town would probably be the best route.  An alternative to explore is the ferry that travels between Ludington, MI. and Manitowoc, Wi. and the one that goes from Muskegon, Mi. to Milwaukee, Wi.  The first is 4 hours, the second is much faster, smaller and more expensive.  They are both fun and something different if you have the time and inclination for open water ferry travel.

Fast Ed

[tlhdoc]

Fast Ed welcome to PUT and thank you for the information.  I didn't even know that there were ferries that you could take.

[Jeremy]

Like Campaholics said, check back in early summer and we'll give you the low down on what to avoid during one of Illinois 2 seasons (Road Construction & Winter).
 
 
 on a side note, Campaholics... I'm just north of you in Cary.

[SpeakEasy]

Tracy and the Gang certainly know about road construction. When I lived in PA, I learned that the state flower there is the orange cone.  :p