Where would you place the dividing line of most congested traffic? (Chicago: house, neighborhoods)

[Master Jay]

Good day. Happy Spring. I hope all is well!

I have mentioned that I would like to relocate to Chicago (maybe sooner than later!). Because I still want to keep the drive connection to hometown of Milwaukee as feasible as possible, I would like to hear your thoughts...

As of now, I have deduced that if I choose to stay in the city, and stay away from traffic congestion as MUCH AS POSSIBLE, then ideally it would be better to stay north of where traffic from I-90 merges with I-94.

That said, I believe it would be better the closer I am to I-94 (and still be able to use Waukegan Road (Hwy 43) or Milwaukee Avenue (Highway 21) if a necessary northern alternate route was necessary).

And as mentioned, I would need to set the line at the 2 Interstate connections, where they meet around Wilson (4600 block North). And obviously, the more north I go, the better.

Does this even make sense? Do you all have a different ZONE where you would set, if you wanted the best option for a Chicago-Milwaukee trip, as much as possible??

[Chicago-guy]

North of montrose pretty much.

[Master Jay]

Chicago-guy, thank you.

Sounds like we ARE on the same page!!!!

Have a great day.

[jsk1983]

I feel like with minimal traffic I can get between Lincoln Square and downtown Milwaukee in 90 minutes. Probably knock off 15 if I lived in say Mayfair (Foster and 94 thereabouts).

[Master Jay]

jsk1983, I really appreciate your feedback. And you named 2 neighborhoods that I would definitely consider. And yes you're right, Mayfair has the advantage of being closer to I94.

And both neighborhoods you mentioned are technically Montrose Avenue as their southern border!

Thank you again!

[G in MP]

Well I guess it depends what sort of Chicago lifestyle you're wanting. If you're northwest, it's nice and quiet over there, and then it's a short trip on the 90 to the 294 north up there to Milwaukee.

[Bitey]

Most of your congestion will happen coming into town from the north versus going out. I think as long as you stay north of Foster you should be fine as you can always get off at Peterson or Cicero to avoid the thickest bit of it. That said the Edens Spur that connects the Edens to the Tri-State can be a major source of congestion too. I haven't driven that route often enough to know if you'd be better off taking 41 instead, or maybe there was a widening project on the spur? Not sure if there is/was a widening project or not. But for the second choke point, stay north of Foster and you'll have options to avoid the worst of the congestion as you approach the Edens/Kennedy merge.

[Master Jay]

G in MP, good morning.

I really do like the far north and northwest areas. And over the years I've learned to get off of I94 and utilize other routes if necessary, such as Waukegan Road or Milwaukee Avenue or Skokie Blvd.

That said, utilizing I94 or Highway 41, I think it would be advantageous to stay NORTH of the traffic that comes into the city via I90.

Thank you, my friend.

[Master Jay]

Bitey, good morning.

You know, over all these years I almost always use Highway 41, anyways!

Saves money on tolls. Safer driving. And if there is congestion on it between the Wisconsin-Illinois border and where it reconnects with I94, it is WAY easier and faster to find a crossroad and connect with another major north-south road than it is to pull off of I94.

And as you say, having those street options north of Foster: Cicero, Peterson or even Touhy is way north of where the real traffic thickness may lie!

Thank you again.

[quigboto]

Depending on how urbane an environment you are craving, Jefferson Park is a nice neighborhood with a lot of walkable amenities and easy access to the rest of the city via the Freeway, Milwaukee Ave, and the Blue Line.
When I thought I was going to have to sell my house (divorce) that was a strong contender for my next place to make a home.