If you plan on taking route 30 south of Michigan city Indiana be prepared for ALOT OF stop lights and traffic heading west.
Just a little time recap for RT30. Times are​ approximate
From Rt49 to interstate 65. 45min-1hr
From I-65 to Indiana/Illinois state line 30-45 min.
From the state line to Joliet Ill 1hr or so.

I 94 to I 80 to Joliet area from Michigan City depending on how you ride 1 1/2 hrs.

Getting around the south end of the lake other than the interstate SUCKS.
That's just my little recap as I go thru that way about once a month.(it used to be multiple times a week before​ I changed jobs 10+years ago)

 

I agree with Baby B. I-94 to I-80 West is the best option around the South end of Lake Michigan, especially if you can hit it at off rush hr. times! If you can get to I-80 and Larkin Ave. (rte 7) Joliet, there are a bunch of motel options there ( Red Roof, Rhodeway, Clarion, Ouality Inn's) all under $100. Ther are 3 good restaurants for breakfast (Bob Evans, Apple Pancake, Old fashioned Pancake house) all within a few blocks! BB ( don't want to speak for BB) and I can meet you there for breakfast, rte 52 is also right there , which is my perferred rte to Savanna (about 3 hr's)...Boom!!!

 

Thank you for the heads up. I have never been through over by Chicago. Looking like going through Manitowoc or Milwaukee might be the better route. I'm not scared of the highway, but we usually try to avoid them. In this case it might be the best choice.

 

hey matt
any chance you could catch a late ferry to manitowoc thur? get an early start from manitowoc fri morn. zero heavy traffic on my route

 

There is only one departure time.

 

ok. im guessing we could make savanna by 6pm

 

To expand on BB's Hwy 30 thoughts... from Michigan City to Merrillville, In. isn't too bad. However, from there to Joliet Il. is a whole lot of lights and a few sketchy areas. If you took Hwy 30 to maybe Schererville or Dyer In. (the state line) you could take I-394 to I-80 West and make Joliet a pretty quick ride. From there you could do Highways and not do any more interstate. The big trucks are typically in the 2 right lanes around the Chicagoland area.

I use to live in Chicago, the South Suburbs and NW Indiana.

 

I seen a few of you are thinking about the ferry across Lk Mich...

Just got a email from Lake express and they are having the motorcycle ride free program again this summer..

 

Yup, i was still quoted around $200 for the 2 of us

 

I took the SS badger last summer and If I remember right it was 60$ for Pass ticket and another 40$ for the bike. the badger is 4 and half hrs and the LE is 2 and half hr.