Trip from Indianapolis to Milwaukee, WI without tolls (Madison: construction, cost)

[adevries2]

We're taking a quick trip from Indianapolis, IN to Milwaukee, WI and plan to take 65 N but would really like to miss tolls if possible. I'm not comfortable in horrible traffic (Indianapolis during rush hour is bad enough for me let alone taking on Chicago). Can anyone suggest how to get myself to Milwaukee while avoiding tolls? Thanks

[Chelito23]

That sounds like a maddening way to "save" $10. I am guessing that saving will be offset by several additional hours of detours with stop and go local traffic or a major bypass detour...which will cost more than that in gas.

The adult answer to your question is there is no way to get to Milwaukee from Indianapolis, avoiding tolls, without spending more money to do so.

[ranger17]

As one who made that route often enough (in our SC-WI trips), tolls are just part of the travel. Chelito is correct, without straying off the interstate and adding time they really cant be avoided.
I can add we tended to take 294 around Chicago rather than 90 thru the city; I doubt it actually saved anything but i just preferred to avoid downtown traffic.

I'd say just plan on the tolls, and if you are not accustomed to them make sure to keep in the right lanes (cash) when they near.

[Rynldsbr]

Easy. Time will increase but if you want a stress free drive and enjoy open highways, Take 74 West out of Indy and pass through Champaigne to Normal, IL and catch I-39 North. Once across the border into WI I-43 will take you directly into the Southwest burbs and then downtown Milwaukee.

Total travel time is 6 hours downtown to downtown. Without traffic added, going through Chicago is 4:18 according to Google maps so in the worst case scenario it will cost you approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to avoid the nightmare of Chicago and tolls.

[ranger17]

Originally Posted by Rynldsbr

Easy. Time will increase but if you want a stress free drive and enjoy open highways, Take 74 West out of Indy and pass through Champaigne to Normal, IL and catch I-39 North. Once across the border into WI I-43 will take you directly into the Southwest burbs and then downtown Milwaukee.

Total travel time is 6 hours downtown to downtown. Without traffic added, going through Chicago is 4:18 according to Google maps so in the worst case scenario it will cost you approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to avoid the nightmare of Chicago and tolls.

that's the route we'd take going from SC up to Madison and back our first year or so of trips.... but the extra time (plus we'd still hit at least one toll near Rockford/border) and frankly that boring stretch just became not worth skipping around Chicago.
It can be an option though if one truly wants to avoid Chicago area (and multiple tolls), but i would suggest checking the WI construction info as I know there are spots around Milwaukee having serious road work and closures right now and i'm not sure if any includes the stretch of 43 coming in.

[adevries2]

Thank you everyone for your more expertise advice. I will check the construction around Milwaukee and I guess I get some cash on me for tolls

[Milwaukee City]

Originally Posted by adevries2

Thank you everyone for your more expertise advice. I will check the construction around Milwaukee and I guess I get some cash on me for tolls

You cannot go from West/North 894 to I-94 West towards Madison and the opposite is true as well. You cannot go from I-94 west to East/South 894. Plus there are rolling closures and on and off ramp closures and lane changes every week it seems like. It's not as bad as the MU interchange but it's a pain.