[bigbear]

Hi all,
I have to travel out east and would appreciate any input on which routes to avoid through Chicago due to construction. I will be coming in from Rockford on I-90 and need to get to I-80 in Indiana.

Will be hitting the north side of town around 7:00 Sunday morning.

I will be a cage since this is a business trip.

TIA

Roy

 

[kk610lt]

7 am on a Sunday? I don't see any problems for you either on the I-294 or goin thru the city.

 

[dshealey]

I just went down I-294 Saturday morning (From Kenosha, WI to I-80 East). There is construction but we had no issues at all. Early Sunday morning should be no problem at all.

Although it is a toll road, we always use it instead of 94, which can bite you in the butt when you least expect it. Been there, done that, never again.

Hi all,
I have to travel out east and would appreciate any input on which routes to avoid through Chicago due to construction. I will be coming in from Rockford on I-90 and need to get to I-80 in Indiana.

Will be hitting the north side of town around 7:00 Sunday morning.

I will be a cage since this is a business trip.

TIA

Roy

 

[batbyk]

Hey Dave, Just noticed u moved across country. When did that happen?

 

[dshealey]

Hey Dave, Just noticed u moved across country. When did that happen?

5 years ago. Wife wanted to move back closer to families, so I "retired". still doing contract engineering work though, now designing Robots for Remotec div. of Northrop Grumman. http://www.is.northropgrumman.com/by_solution/remote_platforms/applications/index.html

Very interesting work, keeps my mind working.

Retirement is nice, but can get a bit boring.

 

[billsmith]

What's wrong with I-94
Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I would recommend on Sundays just at that time. Light to no traffic unless traffic emergency. + you get a great look at skyline and have a choice of inbound express lanes /reversibles. And save yourself a toll. Short trip thru Hubbard;s cave and the closeness of skyscrapers and you are quickly onto the south leg the famed Dan Ryan. A glimpse at US Cellular/ White Sox Park and 20-25 minutes later you are merging on I-80. Be advised I am not on IDOT, no any tourism board. Just the way I see it.
ride safe :bmw:

 

[bigbear]

Thanks to all who have replied. I figure the whole trip will be around 2000 miles and the 150 through Chicago & NW indiana is what I dread the most.

 

[blkswan]

Roy,

You should of called me I'm always running around Chicago. As others have said traffic will be very light on Sunday morning. Also 90 has construction but early Sunday morning should not be problem. No issues with 294, 90/94. 80 through Northern Indiana has a lot of trunk traffic but once you're past 65 no problem. You country boys always get nervous when you get near the big city what with their multi lane roads, in door running water, people driving faster then 35, credit cards, restaurants that have drive throughs with them there magical talking order boxes and such. Where you going too? Have a good trip my friend.

Will Hedgspeth

 

[dshealey]

What's wrong with I-94
Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I would recommend on Sundays just at that time. Light to no traffic unless traffic emergency. + you get a great look at skyline and have a choice of inbound express lanes /reversibles. And save yourself a toll. Short trip thru Hubbard;s cave and the closeness of skyscrapers and you are quickly onto the south leg the famed Dan Ryan. A glimpse at US Cellular/ White Sox Park and 20-25 minutes later you are merging on I-80. Be advised I am not on IDOT, no any tourism board. Just the way I see it.
ride safe :bmw:

The two times we have tried I-94 have been terrible! The first time, we were traveling with my Daughter and family in two vehicles when they moved to Kenosha. A friend that lived in Chicago had told us that after 7 PM I-94 would be OK. WRONG! We planned our trip from Knoxville to arrive south of Chicago around 7, and at first thought it was going to be good. A few miles north of I-80 traffic basically stopped, and we inched along forever. It took us about 9 hours from Knoxville to a little south of Chicago, and the last 90 miles to Kenosha took 3 hours!

On another trip, my wife and I tried I-94 south to return home, took us an hour longer than it normally does using the Tollway.

Maybe locals can wind around and know how to avoid the worst traffic, but for a visitor I-94 can be a real headache.

On our last trip, the tolls had nearly doubled on the Tri State, but we discovered how to bypass the most expensive one, the $2.80 one at the most northern toll stop.

We gladly pay the approx $6 each way tolls to avoid the Chicago traffic we have previously experienced.

A coulple weeks ago we went to Chicago from Kenosha for "tourist" purposes, on a Saturday, and the traffic on 41/94 was pretty horrendous.

I lived in Los Angeles for 7 years, San Diego for 14 years, we feel Chicago traffic is worse.

 

[blkswan]

I tend to agree with Dave about I-94 running through the city; traffic seems to always suck when I have to drive that way. I always take I-294 or I-355 to I-80 and avoid Chicago during the day if I can. The tolls suck but I would rather pay them then sit for hours trying to drive up the Dan Ryan. I take my bike to Chicago a lot on the weekends best way to get around.
For me Seattle traffic is worse than Chicago. LA is no fun either. Maybe I'm just use to Chicago traffic.

 

[billsmith]

I agree with both Will and Dave
E X C E P T timing is everything. 1900 hours is definitely a no no or should I say a no go anywhere close to the city all expressways. The original post was for 7 Sunday morning.in the heart of summer and no football or anything special going you cant beat I-94. Also his post was asking about construction. Last I checked 90 out of Rockford was undergoing a 2 or 3 phase project. I have avoided it so can't really say if complete. I have done Sunday morning rides up to a breakfast meet on US41 and 94 is the road of choice anytime around 7AM on SUNDAY. Usually on the way back a little backup as you enter Hubbard's cave and pass the circle interchange and that's between 10 - 11AM
Next time I will run interference if I know of your trip ahead of time :histerica
ride safe :bmw:

 

[bigbear]

Roy,

You should of called me I'm always running around Chicago. As others have said traffic will be very light on Sunday morning. Also 90 has construction but early Sunday morning should not be problem. No issues with 294, 90/94. 80 through Northern Indiana has a lot of trunk traffic but once you're past 65 no problem. You country boys always get nervous when you get near the big city what with their multi lane roads, in door running water, people driving faster then 35, credit cards, restaurants that have drive throughs with them there magical talking order boxes and such. Where you going too? Have a good trip my friend.

Will Hedgspeth

Hey now Will, no need to pick on this country bumpkin

Headed out for week to the Bethlehem, PA area and from there down to Greenville, SC area. Sure wish I had the option of the LT. Debated looking into renting a bike in the Greenville area but I don't think I could ever get comfortable driving some one else's bike.

Are you still wanting to do a brake fluid flush this fall?

Roy

 

[blkswan]

Mr. Roy,

I got the brake fluid thing done but thanks for asking. I have to go to the Allentown area in October for an install I would love to have the bike out there then but my boss always says no. He seems to think I won't get any work done. I'm hoping to do the Blue Ridge Parkway in September. I would hate to do all that driving in a car; drive safe.