Looking for the best route... (Chicago, Media: home, construction, to live)

[angelaf]

Hi all,
We're going to be driving from Wisconsin to North Carolina in July and I'm wondering what's the best route thru Illinois... last time I went to NC we bypassed Chicago by taking 39 but it was so horrendously boring, (no offense guys, there's just nothing there! ) I don't think I'd want to do that again. Is there another way to avoid Chicago and then sneak into Indiana somehow? Or is the traffic in Chicago not as terrible as we've been told? We'll be going thru on a Saturday, mid-day. Any ideas?
Thanks!

[domergurl]

Take 294 the long way around the city. Stay off the Dan Ryan (I94). Get on 65 from there.

[NSH]

Originally Posted by domergurl

Take 294 the long way around the city. Stay off the Dan Ryan (I94). Get on 65 from there.

What's traffic like south of 167th st? Have they made any progress on opening the new lanes? I haven't taken 294 on a saturday in 2 years since the time I got on at 127th and got off at 159th after sitting in a traffic jam for 2 hours.

[angelaf]

Thanks domergurl, just looked at a map and that looks like a good plan.

[domergurl]

Originally Posted by NSH

What's traffic like south of 167th st? Have they made any progress on opening the new lanes? I haven't taken 294 on a saturday in 2 years since the time I got on at 127th and got off at 159th after sitting in a traffic jam for 2 hours.

My parents just drove through that area a couple days ago. It was pretty bad ... 1 toll booth open on both sides ... stupid stupid stupid. But they are re-doing the Dan Ryan and I guess the Bishop Ford is pretty torn up too. Ah, summer in Chicago.

[ITChick]

Originally Posted by NSH

What's traffic like south of 167th st? Have they made any progress on opening the new lanes? I haven't taken 294 on a saturday in 2 years since the time I got on at 127th and got off at 159th after sitting in a traffic jam for 2 hours.

I can attest to what domergurl posted, it's really really bad.

Do not attempt to go on a holiday weekend and think that you'll make it to your destination on time. I made that mistake with friends two years ago (July 4th weekend road trip). Took three hours to get from 294 South into Indiana; all the lanes were like a parking lot!

[artemis]

I avoid 294 like the plague. I usually take I-90 to the Skyway, and on into Indiana.

[angelaf]

294 was wretched!! We ended up avoiding Chicago all together on the way home and drove for hours through the boredom of Illinois... it was bad but not as bad as all the tolls and construction on 294! Man... I would HATE to live near Chicago!

[murlev]

We are also driving to N.C. in late July, but we live in the upper NE part of Illinois so we would rather not go to highways too far west. All our friends in the area recommend taking 39 because they say highway 90 is down to one lane. I would be interested in knowing what you have decided to do after getting all the feedback. Good luck.

[NSH]

if you do find yourself trapped driving on 294 heading south and want to make Indiana before sunset try this little detour


Exit 95th st EAST
drive approximately 6 miles to Western ave take RIGHT
go .5 mile to 99th st TAKE LEFT
go approximately 3 miles to Halsted St I-57 Interchange go on CHICAGO ENTRANCE to 1-57
follow signs for 1-94 INDIANA which will come up IMMEDIATELY
exit 103rd st head EAST
at torrance TAKE RIGHT to 106th ST
take LEFT on 106th St
go approximately 5 miles to Indianapolis Blvd and enter the
INDIANA TOLLWAY
home free all the way to I-65

The travel time along the detour will be about an hour