Chicago Area SB Question
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Novice
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 17
Likes: 7
From: Jacksonville
Chicago Area SB Question
I’m traveling SB from the UP in early September. I’m staying in Grafton WI, north of Milwaukee and then headed just south of Indianapolis for our next overnight. That means a trip thru Chicago. I’m looking at riding 43 to 41 to 94 to 65 in hopes of avoiding tolls and heavy traffic. Is there a better way to go south into Indiana? Depending on what time I leave WI, I would be traveling through the Chicago area around late morning or early afternoon. I remember a terrible stop and go trip on 90 several years ago coming back from Milwaukee and don’t want to repeat that. Any info would be appreciated.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 172
Likes: 48
From: Wisconsin
I can't speak to the best traffic time, but 94 is a toll road into Chicago. The toll is under $5 and you pay online now. No toll booths are open. Only license plate cameras.
Seems like anytime I go through Chicago traffic is bad.
Seems like anytime I go through Chicago traffic is bad.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,582
From: Wisconsin, USA
You won't avoid tolls or heavy traffic that way. You will go through Gary, Indiana, make sure you don't break down there. It's safer, less traffic to take 294 around Chicago. I go either way, but I did a lot of praying in my 15 year old '66 Mustang that it wouldn't break down in Gary.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 733
Likes: 909
From: Concrete jungle
Unless you take the slow (time wise) path through towns on local roads, you will not avoid tolls between WI and IN. Good news, sort of, is no people manning toll booths meaning you have 7 days to log into website to pay tolls, if you don't have an iPass electronic unit.
Unless you go through Chicago wall outside normal hours, traffic usually suck.
Any which way you go, watch out for crappy roads as it is construction season here.
Unless you go through Chicago wall outside normal hours, traffic usually suck.
Any which way you go, watch out for crappy roads as it is construction season here.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 2,261
From: Ft. Wayne IN
Chicago traffic (and other aspects of the city) just plain sucks!
My wife has kids and friends in the Rockford area and visits 3-4 times per year. She's used to and and just accepts it. I went through on my trip to and from the Black Hills last August. My normal route is US30 to I-65 N to I-94, I-80 W. I then pick up I-294 to I-290. The I-90 to Rockford. Been doing it since 1980 when I worked in Rockford. Never pleasant on traffic, but what big city is? We have an I-Pass device with all of our vehicles registered. We pre-pay some money and replenish it when needed to avoid stopping at toll booths. Takes some of the pain away.
My wife has kids and friends in the Rockford area and visits 3-4 times per year. She's used to and and just accepts it. I went through on my trip to and from the Black Hills last August. My normal route is US30 to I-65 N to I-94, I-80 W. I then pick up I-294 to I-290. The I-90 to Rockford. Been doing it since 1980 when I worked in Rockford. Never pleasant on traffic, but what big city is? We have an I-Pass device with all of our vehicles registered. We pre-pay some money and replenish it when needed to avoid stopping at toll booths. Takes some of the pain away.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 733
Likes: 909
From: Concrete jungle
Chicago traffic (and other aspects of the city) just plain sucks!
My wife has kids and friends in the Rockford area and visits 3-4 times per year. She's used to and and just accepts it. I went through on my trip to and from the Black Hills last August. My normal route is US30 to I-65 N to I-94, I-80 W. I then pick up I-294 to I-290. The I-90 to Rockford. Been doing it since 1980 when I worked in Rockford. Never pleasant on traffic, but what big city is? We have an I-Pass device with all of our vehicles registered. We pre-pay some money and replenish it when needed to avoid stopping at toll booths. Takes some of the pain away.
My wife has kids and friends in the Rockford area and visits 3-4 times per year. She's used to and and just accepts it. I went through on my trip to and from the Black Hills last August. My normal route is US30 to I-65 N to I-94, I-80 W. I then pick up I-294 to I-290. The I-90 to Rockford. Been doing it since 1980 when I worked in Rockford. Never pleasant on traffic, but what big city is? We have an I-Pass device with all of our vehicles registered. We pre-pay some money and replenish it when needed to avoid stopping at toll booths. Takes some of the pain away.
Try taking I-80 west-er to i355($$) or if you can stand the i80 construction in Joliet, all the way west to i39. i80-i39 should be the least toll road option.
There are other options to make it a more fun/scenic ride, but it's Illinois and those concrete mountains in the city are about all we have until you get close to Rockford.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 699
Likes: 391
From: Fellows. WI
One option would be to take the Lake Express, a high-speed ferry out of Milwaukee, across Lake Michigan to Muskegon, then ride south down the east coast of Lake Michigan and on to Indy.
Sample route.......
https://goo.gl/maps/UYna3BA3oMts3Rsz9
While the ferry is kinda spendy, by going this route you bypass Chicago and NE Indiana road congestion.
I used the Lake Express on a return trip from Ohio a few years back. The ride is very smooth and enjoyable and there's a designated area below deck for bikes. Tie-down straps are provided.
Sample route.......
https://goo.gl/maps/UYna3BA3oMts3Rsz9
While the ferry is kinda spendy, by going this route you bypass Chicago and NE Indiana road congestion.
I used the Lake Express on a return trip from Ohio a few years back. The ride is very smooth and enjoyable and there's a designated area below deck for bikes. Tie-down straps are provided.
Last edited by orbit; Jul 31, 2020 at 09:22 AM.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 342
Likes: 44
From: Granville, IL
You could go 43 out of Milwaulkee to 39 south to 74 east to Indy. Adds about 90 minutes but does avoid Shitcago traffic and construction. If you get stuck in traffic and or construction this 90 minutes extra might seem like nothing! I think there is one or maybe 2 tolls around Rockford but that would be it.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 4,126
Likes: 2,117
From: W. MI.
Not sure the Express is in operation right now? But, that is a good suggestion. I've done that in reverse going to Sturgis and it is good stuff. I avoid Chicago like the plague. He would want to run down the west coast of Michigan. Out of Muskegon take 31 south through through Holland and get on 1-96 south and go from there.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 699
Likes: 391
From: Fellows. WI
You could go 43 out of Milwaulkee to 39 south to 74 east to Indy. Adds about 90 minutes but does avoid Shitcago traffic and construction. If you get stuck in traffic and or construction this 90 minutes extra might seem like nothing! I think there is one or maybe 2 tolls around Rockford but that would be it.
But that route, too, is a viable alternative.