Travelling Thru Illinois to Wisconsin--How to Avoid Chicago? (Rockford, Bloomington: trailer, suburbs)

[angela_g]

Next month my husband will be travelling through Illinois to the Illinois/Wisconsin border (South Wayne, Wisconsin) to pick up a couple horses. Mapquest is sending us straight through Chicago, and we would really like to avoid the Chicago traffic, esp. pulling a horse trailer.

Does anyone have any advice on how we can make the trip and avoid Chicago?

Mapquest has us travelling I-90 West (through Chicago ???) and then onto I-39 South. I'm sorry I can't be more help, but I'm not familiar with Illinois at all. In different circumstances we'd enjoy visiting Chicago, but not on this trip .

[Steve-o]

Where are you coming from in IL? I-39/51 is out west and runs through Rockford, etc.

[Ben Around]

Originally Posted by angela_g

Next month my husband will be travelling through Illinois to the Illinois/Wisconsin border (South Wayne, Wisconsin) to pick up a couple horses. Mapquest is sending us straight through Chicago, and we would really like to avoid the Chicago traffic, esp. pulling a horse trailer.

Does anyone have any advice on how we can make the trip and avoid Chicago?

Mapquest has us travelling I-90 West (through Chicago ???) and then onto I-39 South. I'm sorry I can't be more help, but I'm not familiar with Illinois at all. In different circumstances we'd enjoy visiting Chicago, but not on this trip .

I assume he'll be traveling from the East? If yes, best way is take I-80 thru northern IN, stay on it to I-39 at LaSalle, IL. Take I-39 north, he'll cross into WI at Beloit. It's not as direct as Map Quest is telling you, but he'll avoid the heavy traffic thru the city or thru the burbs. He'll hit some traffic south of Gary and the south IL suburbs, but much less than if he headed north east of I-39. Bonus: he'll also avoid lots of tolls!

[angela_g]

I'm sorry, I should have explained better. We are in West Virginia. He'll travel through Ohio into Indiana (West 70). Later, they will get on I-65 North, get off the I-90 exit (portions toll--what is a "portions" toll, btw?) and then West on 90 until they go South on 39 which will take them to US-20 W. It is after this that they would cross into Wisconsin.

So, yes , we are coming from the east. Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it. This is going to be a long drive, non-stop, and we'd like to plan it out avoiding heavy traffic (avoiding tolls is a definite plus).

Angela

[mdz]

Take 70 into indianapolis, then I would get on 74 going out of Indy. look at a map of indianapolis on your favorite map program, it's a bit complicated, but I think the best route would be 70 to North I-65, then south on I-465 to I-74.

Take I-74 to Bloomington, IL, you can pick up I-39 there. Go north to US 20 and follow the rest of the directions.

[M TYPE X]

Originally Posted by angela_g

This is going to be a long drive, non-stop, and we'd like to plan it out avoiding heavy traffic (avoiding tolls is a definite plus).

I-74 to I-39. Note that I-39 is duplexed with I-90 around Rockford (I-90 is the Northwest/Jane Addams Tollway). It'll cost you a buck.

[Drover]

It'll cost more than a buck with a trailer; how much more will depend on how many axles. And depending on which route they take, it isn't necessary to use I-90. They could take US 20 out past Freeport and head north from there.

[BUalumni]

Originally Posted by mdz

Take 70 into indianapolis, then I would get on 74 going out of Indy. look at a map of indianapolis on your favorite map program, it's a bit complicated, but I think the best route would be 70 to North I-65, then south on I-465 to I-74.

Take I-74 to Bloomington, IL, you can pick up I-39 there. Go north to US 20 and follow the rest of the directions.

I have actually done this before. Indy traffic can be a bit rough at times, but I-74 is a clear shot into Illinois. Once on 74 there are tons of ways to get to Wisconsin, that don't invlove Chicago. I don't blame you for wanting to miss that mess.

[mdz]

Actually, they will avoid the toll--the exit to US-20 from I-39 is right before you hit the tollway.

[ohjodi]

I agree with MDZ......from Indianapolis take I-74W to Bloomington/Normal, IL where you will pick up I-39N to Rockford/Wisconsin/Beloit.

I-39N is a very straight, very boring drive, and there is only one actual rest stop that I know of between Bloomington and Rockford. But it's much better than driving through Chicago.