Chicago Rush Hour Traffic (Addison, Ohio: metra, suburban, metro)

[MantaRay]

I want to compare traffic in various cities in standardized (non-subjective) terms. I'm interested in how long does it take to get (strictly on the interstates) from 10 miles outside the downtown core to the downtown core in the morning rush hour traffic and from the downtown core to 10 miles outside the downtown core in the evening rush hour traffic. If I can find out what 10 mile times are, traffic comparisons become EASY and less subjective. I can easily know where 10 miles is by either my odometer or by exit numbers, which have become standardized to be mile-based. And in fact, it might be feasible for some people to do 15 mile rush hour times. Is anybody willing to participate in a little traffic experiement and observe Chicago's 10 mile or 15 mile (or 20 if it applies) rush hour driving times?

[NYrules]

Originally Posted by MantaRay

I want to compare traffic in various cities in standardized (non-subjective) terms. I'm interested in how long does it take to get (strictly on the interstates) from 10 miles outside the downtown core to the downtown core in the morning rush hour traffic and from the downtown core to 10 miles outside the downtown core in the evening rush hour traffic. If I can find out what 10 mile times are, traffic comparisons become EASY and less subjective. I can easily know where 10 miles is by either my odometer or by exit numbers, which have become standardized to be mile-based. And in fact, it might be feasible for some people to do 15 mile rush hour times. Is anybody willing to participate in a little traffic experiement and observe Chicago's 10 mile or 15 mile (or 20 if it applies) rush hour driving times?

Well during morning rush it will usually take about 25 minutes to sometimes 35 mins from Central and I-55 to Monroe Street and 90/94. Is that what you are looking for? Stuff like that?

[Lookout Kid]

It really depends on which expressway you are using. There are great variations between different routes, and variations from day to day depending on weather, accidents, etc. I'd recommend taking the Metra if you are that close.

[aragx6]

Even if you're talking about taking the same expressway, traffic is so different everyday that even if you averaged it out over two weeks it wouldn't make for a particularly useful measuring stick given that some days it would take far less time and others far longer.

[MantaRay]

Originally Posted by NYrules

Well during morning rush it will usually take about 25 minutes to sometimes 35 mins from Central and I-55 to Monroe Street and 90/94. Is that what you are looking for? Stuff like that?

Exactly. And of course different people in the same city will have different experiences, since some parts of town(s) can have heavier (suburban interstate) traffic than other parts of the same metro.

But it looks like that leg of Chicago driving is 10 miles, 25-35 minutes for morning rush hour. Thanks!

[MantaRay]

Originally Posted by aragx6

Even if you're talking about taking the same expressway, traffic is so different everyday that even if you averaged it out over two weeks it wouldn't make for a particularly useful measuring stick given that some days it would take far less time and others far longer.

In that case, shortest typical (repeatable) and longest typical (repeatable) times can be useful. And meaningful.

[Chi-town Native]

for the Kennedy, it also depends if you can get on the express lanes.

from the Belmont/Kimball (they call it Addison, but it's further south) to the Ohio St offramp can be as short as 7 or 8 minutes, if you're going before 7:30. it gets exponentially worse every 5 minutes as you get closer to 8:30 or so, but there are waves that IMO time roughly with people that start at 8, 8:30 and 9.

but one accident, one flat tire, etc can wreak serious havoc.