Best way around Chicago

[RAurand]

Hoping to pull my trailer up to Oshkosh, WI for EAA Airventure this July.
Heading out from Pennsylvania and going across Route 80/90 thru Gary Indiana. Routing takes me up 90/94 thru City of Chicago. Not really thrilled to do that.
Anyone ever go to Oshkosh? Is there a better way around Chicago?

[Flyrotor]

I think I would choose 294 around the west side and at least avoid a direct route through the city.

Or south clear to Dallas and then north to Davenport would be about as close to Chicago as I ever want to be!������

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by Flyrotor

I think I would choose 294 around the west side and at least avoid a direct route through the city.

Definitely, but it is also a toll road. We've done 294 numerous times and rarely had any major traffic issues.

[Kahoneys]

Living in Wisconsin for many years and heading South through Chi Town I actually found it best and less expensive to go through the center on 90/94 at midday. If you hit in in the am or pm rush you'll be there for many hours. The bypass has 6 tolls and 90/94 has 2 if memory serves.

[Stingray75]

Ditto what Kahoneys suggested. Living in Milwaukee for several years and traveling thru Chicago on business, I decided trying to avoid traffic is a waste of time. 90/94 is least expensive and was more times than not, fastest.

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by Kahoneys

LI actually found it best and less expensive to go through the center on 90/94 at midday. If you hit in in the am or pm rush you'll be there for many hours.

X2, Done it with and without a trailer. I too thought it was much faster than the toll road. I have to admit, I have only done both mid-day and late at night. I would hate to try either during rush hour.

If you have the time and want a scenic route go up and over Lake Michigan via the Mackinaw Bridge and take highway 2 over. Another option is to take the ferry across the lake, I have always wanted to take this route.

[Jim Davis]

Last summer I went from Annapolis to upper Wisconsin and used the route Indianapolis, Bloomington and Rockford. Other than Indianapolis it was pretty good and easy driving. Use the southern beltway at Indianapolis. Longer but less stress.

[Kim Gass]

All I remember about Chicago is multilane freeways.. And the need to be in another lane that you are not in. We went through the center and did not have a GPS. It was white knuckle.

Next trip we chickened out and went Joliet and Rockford.

My advice would be sure your GPS is accurate and gives you plenty of notice.

Mackinac Bridge can be very windy and move your RV around. Occasionally closed. It is spectacular though

[dennis b]

Depending on time of day best is to go thru downtown way faster. just pick a lane and go. One thing not mentioned is to avoid the 2 tolls get off on hy 41 There are 10 stoplights but if you keep speed at about 45 mph you can get thru all without stopping.. worse part is where I65 comes up from South lots of semis. i found myself merging in with semis in front behind and both sides but it gets better

[RAurand]

Thank you all for the input. I really do appreciate it.

[jrclen]

Take a look at 80 to 88 (toll) to 39 to 21 (two lane). With 90/94 Chicago is just half the problem. Milwaukee and 41 is the other half.


But 294 around Chicago and 894 around Milwaukee are doable outside rush hour.

[RAurand]

Originally Posted by jrclen

Take a look at 80 to 88 (toll) to 39 to 21 (two lane). With 90/94 Chicago is just half the problem. Milwaukee and 41 is the other half.


But 294 around Chicago and 894 around Milwaukee are doable outside rush hour.

I am having trouble finding 894 around Milwaukee?

[wags999]

Having lived in Chicago area, I would take 294 and try to hit it at night. Problem with taking 90 through Chicago is, you run through some tough areas, if you have a break down you will wish you took a different road.

Plan your trip so you hit Chicago area after 9pm, will be a much nicer drive. Road construction is almost a year round issue, with lane closures etc. Good Luck !!

[Stingray75]

Originally Posted by RAurand

I am having trouble finding 894 around Milwaukee?

It’s 794 along the lake side of MKE but no reason to go there. Follow 41 along the west side of town up to Oshkosh.

[RAurand]

Any thoughts ongoing across 70 to Indianapolis, take 74 to 39N to 94N? Takes an extra 1 1/2 hours, BUT....

By the way.... Semper Fi Wags999. My father was B-1-5 Korea 52-53. Purple Heart.
Thank you for your service.

[Stingray75]

Originally Posted by RAurand

Any thoughts ongoing across 70 to Indianapolis, take 74 to 39N to 94N? Takes an extra 1 1/2 hours, BUT....

By the way.... Semper Fi Wags999. My father was B-1-5 Korea 52-53. Purple Heart.
Thank you for your service.

The traffic and construction on 39 will be every bit as frustrating as following 90/94 thru Chicago. Additionally, 94 entering MKE from the west is more crowded than the recently reconstructed 94 going from Chicago to MKE.

[jrclen]

Originally Posted by RAurand

I am having trouble finding 894 around Milwaukee?

It's the west bypass around the city. It runs into 45 which runs into 41 and that goes right to Oshkosh. In the past it was called 694.

[RAurand]

WOW. PITA no matter which way I go.
Guess plan on going the "easy" way 90/94..

Thank you all.

[GuanoJuano]

I've driven through and around Chicago many times. Best way is patience. Don't be in a hurry and you will be fine. If you get caught in traffic at the wrong time, it will move and you will get through it. Patience will prevent you from doing anything that will cause a problem. I've tried figuring a way to go around it but that will cost you so much more time that it makes it not worth it. Watch everyone else rushing around and it will give you something to laugh at.

[BoulderB]

294 is frequently under construction and takes you a lot out of the way. I would go through the city the regular way on a Sunday morning or some other low traffic hour and it will be easy as pie.