Driving thru Chicago

mcavoy33 · Nov 22, 2011

I did a run today from Indy to Oak Creek, Wi (Milwaukee) and back. pu in Inday at 9am, drove through Chicago around 1, took the skyway and traffic was smooth sailing.

But on my way back, it was 4 O'clock. What is my best bet to get through Chicago at that hour? I normally use google traffic to find alternate routes around construction & accidents but my phone disabled google maps.

So I was kind of flying blind today. What is the best way to get from the North side of Chicago to 65s during rush hour?

I got the run again tomorrow and I want to try minimize my time in traffic.

tbcabs · Nov 23, 2011

Your best bet would probably to take 294 around the city. BUT you have to remember what tomorrow is. Chicago is going to be a madhouse no matter what

highway star · Nov 23, 2011

tbcabs said:
Your best bet would probably to take 294 around the city. BUT you have to remember what tomorrow is. Chicago is going to be a madhouse no matter what

I'll 2nd that. I only go through the middle of town late at night.

Jenny · Nov 23, 2011

Heck even Toledo was horrible at 5 am.

Monty · Nov 23, 2011

When I go to Wisconsin, and I know I'm going to fight Chicago rush hour .. I add about 100 miles to the trip, and have no other delays.

I-74 west to I-39 north to I-43 back east .. big bypass!

mjmsprt40 · Nov 23, 2011

I live here. I wish I could tell you there's a quick way, but I'd be lying if I did that. The best bad way is 294, or jog a bit farther West and take the ILL53/Interstate355 corridor. Both are bad during rush hour, but not as bad as 90/94 through the city.

The 74/39/43 route that Notanewbie suggests has a higher groundspeed, but you'll lose big in having to drive many more miles.

ATeam · Nov 23, 2011

This run looks to be about 330 milles one way. I'd be thinking more about the clock than the route. Deliver the load. Head back as far as traffic allows. Take a nap until Chicago clears and continue on.

chefdennis · Nov 23, 2011

At rush hour there is no good way thru or around chicago...294 is the best way, but it will still be a mess I have run the 53/55 deal and it takes you way out around and works, but you are still going to hit some traffic when you get donw to the 80/90 east back to 65 south..but its not as bad since you dodged the 94 or 294 mess...

wimpy007 · Nov 23, 2011

Just a thought, from Indy take I-74 to Bloomington then I-39 to Beloit and I-43 to Milw. alot of miles but light traffic.

RedBird · Nov 23, 2011

I live in the burbs of Chicago like mjmsprt40 does. If you run I-294 south then work your way over to I-290/I-355 south like Chef suggested *(use Lake-Cook Rd to cut over from 294 to 290/355), then jump on I-80 east. Run it to I-394 south to Rte.30 then Hwy. 41 south in Lowell, IN run east and pick up I-65 south to Indy, you'll avoid alot of the rush hour traffic. You will encounter some, there no is no escaping it totally but you'll avoid most of it. Good Luck! and Happy Thanksgiving.

Moot · Nov 23, 2011

wimpy007 said:
Just a thought, from Indy take I-74 to Bloomington then I-39 to Beloit and I-43 to Milw. alot of miles but light traffic.

That's 100 miles extra just to avoid some rush hour traffic.

mcavoy33 · Nov 23, 2011

RedBird said:
I live in the burbs of Chicago like mjmsprt40 does. If you run I-294 south then work your way over to I-290/I-355 south like Chef suggested *(use Lake-Cook Rd to cut over from 294 to 290/355), then jump on I-80 east. Run it to I-394 south to Rte.30 then Hwy. 41 south in Lowell, IN run east and pick up I-65 south to Indy, you'll avoid alot of the rush hour traffic. You will encounter some, there no is no escaping it totally but you'll avoid most of it. Good Luck! and Happy Thanksgiving.

This is interesting. I ended up shaving off 10 mins off my time from yesterday but I have no clue how I would have ran if I went the entire way on 294 like I did yesterday on my way back.

I'll draw a map of where I zig zagged to avoid traffic.

cheri1122 · Nov 25, 2011

Moot said:
That's 100 miles extra just to avoid some rush hour traffic.

Yes, but Chicago isn't just 'some rush hour traffic' when you're driving a truck, remember. It's high stress & blood pressure all the way. Every time a 4 wheeler darts into the 'safe following distance' in front of me & then jams on the brakes, my heart stops, until I know that the truck will, without running over them.
It's also a prodigious waste of fuel - one I used to avoid by taking a 2 hr break to have a decent meal [maybe even a quick nap] and return to the road refreshed & ready to deal with the challenge. Since FMCSA changed the rules, though, I can't anymore - the truck and I have to be part of the craziness, because they insist it's safer. [insert massive snort here.]
An extra hundred miles vs Chicago rush hour? I'd say the extra miles would be the smarter way to go - fuel & time won't be much worse, but the driver would be in far better shape at the other end of it.