Gonna ride up from Dover, Ohio and attend my GD's boot camp graduation at Great Lakes. How do I avoid Chicago, the traffic + tolls. I dread the thought of goin thru Chicago on the bike.

 

Actually your best bet is just timing things right, not arriving during peak traffic. Have rode through Chicago many times without any problems taking 80 to 294.

 

Gotta agree with 2Paws, from the direction you're coming from, not too many options other than going straight thru. You could come farther west on 88 and then shoot North on 39 up to Rockford, but that's way out of your way, and there is lots of construction from Rockford to Chicago.

Just give yourself plenty of time, try not to come thru during peak traffic times, and you'll be fine.

On a positive note, Great Lakes is along the lake, so just hug the lake going North, lots of nice riding!

 

Was afraid of that, thanx much guys! Livin where I live, I can ride forever w/o even seein a stop sign let alone a traffic jam. Oh well, gotta do what yah gotta do. Thanx again!

 

Check out lake express.com. I did this a few years ago. Its pretty cool. Would be out of the way but it avoids Chicago and u could check out the HD museum.

 

Interesting, but way out of my way. Done the HD museum a couple times, great stop.

 

ditto, but go very fast and dodge the bullets

 

I work outside Chicago during the week and the traffic drives me nuts. It takes some getting used to. As mentioned, avoid the peak times but you will still have traffic, lots of it but hopefully at least you'll be moving. Ride defensively and keep your eyes open, there are quite a few idiots up here.

 

I live a couple miles west of Great Lakes NTC.

Not just time of day, but day of the week come into play.

Avoiding tolls means taking I-94 through town, continuing north on US 41 to IL 137. Alternatively, you could cruise Lake Shore Drive to the north side of Chicago, and find your way back to the expressway, or take it slow through the suburban streets to your destination.

 

Go thru the Chicago on I-94 after 9 at night ....should not be too bad ,, but still be extra careful of idiots and use all your senses..and you'll get thru alive...safe trip..