Drive along I-90 thru southside (Chicago, Algonquin: 2014, crime rates, homes)

[brrrinmass]

Can anyone comment on the ride along I-90 through the south side of Chicago to get to Algonquin from the east? Are there places one should not get off the highway? I was looking at a gangland map of Chicago and it looks like they are everywhere. I am sure I am just being paranoid but would like to feel safe while driving through. Or is it wise to just avoid the area altogether. Having never been to Chicago I just don't want to wind up in the wrong area. Thanks for any advice you could give.

[chet everett]

First off,despite what any map might say, there is no reason to be fearful being on the Dan Ryan as it is normal interstate with no reason to exit at any stops.

Secondly if you are going to Algonquin from the east the route along 294 is very likely quicker unless you are gonna take the Skyway & Indiana Tollway, which adds signficant cost...

[Army_Guy]

The biggest reason not to exit=the cost of gas in the city.

Seriously though, you'll be fine. However, I would recommend stopping in Chinatown for lunch or if Chinese food isn't your thing, then Ricobene's for a breaded steak sandwich on 26th and Wentworth, it's just a block or two west of Wentworth.

[JacksonPanther]

You should avoid the area all together. Take I80 to 355 and work your way to Algonquin through dupage county. That way you can avoid those gangs on the south side.

Everyone remaining on the south side are gang members. All others have been killed. The gangs roam the south side looking for survivors, who they immediately kill. There are cameras on the exits from the Dan Ryan that alert the gangs whenever a white person gets off the highway. Men are immediately killed, women are raped then killed.

Don't you see this on the news every night? The reason the gangs fight each other is for the opportunity to rape and kill white people.

[brrrinmass]

Originally Posted by JacksonPanther

You should avoid the area all together. Take I80 to 355 and work your way to Algonquin through dupage county. That way you can avoid those gangs on the south side.

Everyone remaining on the south side are gang members. All others have been killed. The gangs roam the south side looking for survivors, who they immediately kill. There are cameras on the exits from the Dan Ryan that alert the gangs whenever a white person gets off the highway. Men are immediately killed, women are raped then killed.

Don't you see this on the news every night? The reason the gangs fight each other is for the opportunity to rape and kill white people.

Just a small town boy here. Didn't mean anything by it. Just not used to being in the big city. I apologize if I ruffled any feathers. That was not my intent. Please accept my apologies.

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by JacksonPanther

You should avoid the area all together. Take I80 to 355 and work your way to Algonquin through dupage county. That way you can avoid those gangs on the south side.

Everyone remaining on the south side are gang members. All others have been killed. The gangs roam the south side looking for survivors, who they immediately kill. There are cameras on the exits from the Dan Ryan that alert the gangs whenever a white person gets off the highway. Men are immediately killed, women are raped then killed.

Don't you see this on the news every night? The reason the gangs fight each other is for the opportunity to rape and kill white people.

But, if a white person did exit in the middle of the night and wander too far in the wrong direction in the wrong neighborhood, it would at least get scary enough to warrant a change of underwear (if that person has no street smarts and has never been exposed to that environment) So I appreciate your sarcasm, but I can also understand someones concern.

OP, if you exit just stay adjacent to highway. The stretch of really bad neighborhoods just a few blocks from I-90 is relatively small. Candidly, I would be waay more concerned with terrible traffic taking I-90 if you do this during or close to rush hour. Investing in tolls and taking Jackson's suggested route or I-294 to I-90 is suggested. If you are traveling during the weekend, there is a major construction project on I-90 just north of downtown with major lane closures that's anticipated to create a traffic "Armageddon"

Also fill up before the metro area to save on fuel costs. If you are coming through Indiana, top off your tank before you reach IL, it will save you $0.30-$1 a gallon.

[Lookout Kid]

I used to love driving down the Dan Ryan as a kid in the 80's, looking at all of the burned out towers of the Robert Taylor homes and trying to imagine what life was like in there. I found it totally fascinating that this totally different, isolated world existed so close to home. Crime rates were higher then than they are now in those areas, and yet our Dodge Caravan family-mobile made it through every time without a single bullet hole.

Seriously, pretty much everyone in the Midwest has driven down the Dan Ryan at some point in their life. Not everyone takes the tollway around Chicago.

[pvande55]

Chicago is not as dangerous as everyone thinks. There are fewer than two murders a day, and mostly in neighborhoods almost nobody visits. True, stray bullets have killed innocent people, such as the teacher last week,http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/l...,7710310.story but the chance of one hitting you while driving the Dan Ryan is extremely slim. However, the chance of getting stuck in traffic is very high. Even those who brave it every day are advised to stay off the Kennedy (I-90/94) weekends in June. Kennedy construction to shut down sections of expressway in June | abc7chicago.com I-80 to 355 north is the way to go.

[dudenamedric]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

I used to love driving down the Dan Ryan as a kid in the 80's, looking at all of the burned out towers of the Robert Taylor homes and trying to imagine what life was like in there. I found it totally fascinating that this totally different, isolated world existed so close to home. Crime rates were higher then than they are now in those areas, and yet our Dodge Caravan family-mobile made it through every time without a single bullet hole.

Seriously, pretty much everyone in the Midwest has driven down the Dan Ryan at some point in their life. Not everyone takes the tollway around Chicago.

I remember those days. I've always had a fascination with the projects, the idea that if you crossed a certain road all of a sudden you were in the shark tank and anything was bound to happen. My mom used to tell us that people would throw stuff off the walkways or just straight up shoot at the cars on the Dan Ryan as they approached the city. Never actually saw that stuff happen, but regardless we always made it lol.

[CCrest182]

There shouldn't be a reason to stop unless you need to fill up on gas. Yeah there definitely are some nasty areas around there, but if you stay on the interstate it will take you right through there, no need to worry. Must you take a pitstop to grab a bite or go to the bathroom or whatever in one of those bad neighborhoods, get in and get the F$@#&CK out of there. Don't make small talk with people, don't try and make friends, get your business done as quickly as humanly possible, and get your butt back in your car. DEFINITELY don't pull over in the middle of the night. But if you're just driving there's no need to worry about anything, day or night.