A few of us are heading around L. Michigan next week. Harley Museum for bike night on Thursday, putting us in Chicago Friday am. Common sense tells me to head towards Rockford down to Peru, and stay way..way..away.
Any advice?

 

Common sense is a very good trait to have.

 

Just take 294 down to 80 and head east back to Michigan. I do it all the time. It's not that bad. If anything, you might have to ride faster than you're used to because everyone is going 80 MPH.

Or take the Ferry

 

Go around. Go way around. Oh, did I mention? GO AROUND! I made a mistake one time coming home from a week long trip. We departed the motel near the Milwaukee Airport at about 7:30 AM on a Friday morning, put us, 3 bikes, right in Chicago at 8:00AM. Not a good thing. We motored down I-94 to I-294 and viola, toll booths in the extreme right lane and here we are running 85MPH in 5 lanes of traffic surrounded by 18 wheelers. Chances of us getting over to pay our tolls were slim to none. I looked up in time to see a sign that said "I PASS." That's just what I did, I PASSED right on by. Got home and found out bout 3 weeks later that the DOT had cameras taking pictures of license plates and ours were 3 of them. Cost us more in tolls and penalties that it would have if we would have gone back the same way that we came, via the UP and the mighty MAC. He!!, my wife was white knuckled for a week after the ride thru Chicago. Not to mention that she couldn't poop for a month, she squeezed her cheeks so tight. If you're asking for my opinion, GO AROUND!

If you do as Nevada suggests, take this sugestion also, invest in the little sticker that says "I PASS." It will save you a bundle in the long run.

 

Jay, your post made me chuckle. They say if you can drive on Chicago's highways, especially during rush hour then you can drive anywhere. Regarding the iPass, your Ohio eZpass transponders should have worked if you put them on the bike I believe. If that happens again just go to the iPass webaite and pay with a CC to avoid the tolls.

Seafus, its really about timing. If you will be coming through during friday morning rush hour, then yes head farther west. Nothing closer than 355. This part of the journey may be the least enjoyable, especially at the bottom of lake michigan, no matter what. If you will take 39 down to Peru let me know and ill auggwst a route back east.

 

In the 70s on of the biker magazines listed the 10 worst roads in the world for bikers. The interstates around the Chicago are made the list. Also on the list were sections of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, Paris, Rome, and some mud trail in Africa where the danger was getting attacked by wild animals. Never was bombed on the Ho Chi Minh Trail, never road a motorcycle in Paris or Rome, and have never been attacked by wild animals in Africa but I have ridden the interstates in the Chicago area. I'd rather take my chances with the wild animals on a mud trail in Africa.

 

Appreciate the input guys. Leaning towards taking 39 down to Peru, then running East on 80? We could avoid rush hour by leaving Milwaukee mid-morning, just unsure how much it would help. BBKing, Appreciate any and all suggestions.
Thanks Again

 

Lake express is free for motorcycles till the 31st, only pay passenger fee. Done Chicago a few times not bad just avoid rush hour.

 

You are going 2 hours out of your way by taking 39. And, as mentioned by bballkking, one of the dicey spots is on 80 south of Chicago, which your route doesn't avoid.

I get that folks have had bad experiences going through Chicago. But, it's my regular route. Maybe I'm used to it so it's no biggy to me. But, I can tell you that if you go your way, and I went mine, I would be to the destination, showered, had dinner, and at least 2 cocktails before you showed up.

On I-Pass. It's much better if you have the transponder. However, if you look at the Ipass map when you get home, make note of the tolls you went through (4 or 5) and pay online, it won't cost you in penalties and you'll save a lot of time and headache.

 

Heading south out of Milwaukee won't be a problem in the morning since you'll be outbound. Last time I was there I just stayed with 41 so I could ride south through downtown Chicago on Lake Shore Drive along Lake Michigan. Traffic and speeds are just moderate and you get to at least see a beautiful and classy city. You'll end up on that same grim section you've already planned through Calumet City (home of the original donkey and woman show), Hammond and others on your way to Michigan. If I ever get back that way again I'd do that or take the ferry.