Best way to commute to River Grove from Calumet City? (Chicago: school, college)

[xraychick]

Hello
I am a college student that commutes from Calumet City to River Grove. The problem is that I am on the road at rush hour going to school and coming back as well.
I just wanted to know if anyone knew the best ways to go and avoid so many traffic jams? I usually take 90/94 and take 290 west to get off on 1st street.
Would it be a better idea if I took 90/94 and took I-55 south to get off on 1st street and just drive a bit more on 1st street? Would I-55 be less congested than 290?

What about on my way coming back, does anyone suggest I take 294 so I can avoid all the down town traffic? If anyone has any idea, please help! I am so frustrated with all the traffic!

[mdz]

i-55 is going way out of your way, even if it's a little smoother you start around 55th street on 1st avenue and then have to go all the way north. Forget about it.

294 is certainly reasonable to try. Give it a whirl one night after work and see what time you get home.

Your commute is tough. No easy way. Except by helicopter.

[mdz]

If you do take 294, make sure you have ipass or you're going to be stuck in toll booth hell

[dumpstermcnuggets]

Originally Posted by mdz

If you do take 294, make sure you have ipass or you're going to be stuck in toll booth hell

Hmmmm, I'd probably say 294 isn't a bad route, if you're coming from Cal City. But however, I'd exit at about Archer Ave(Route 171)(at least I think there's a northbound exit from 294 onto north Archer, since there's a ramp from southbound Archer to south 294), go north on that to Summit, then make a left where 171 splits from Archer Ave. and crosses the bridge over the Stevenson and Calumet Sag Canal(?)/I and M Canal. It turns into 1st Ave. once you cross the bridge, and take that all the way to River Grove. Hope that helps(and at least I don't believe 1st Ave. is too congested from the very, very few times I've been on that street, though I could possibly be wrong in terms of traffic, since I'm rarely in that part of Chicagoland).