Chicago traffic on Saturday morning??

[mosrrt]

I wanted to take the Ferry across the Lake on the way home from the rally but the times do not work for me . So I am thinking of heading around Chicago Saturday morning on my way back to NY . The question is, how is the traffic Saturday morning around Chicago say 9-10 AM . ???
Mike

[larrydk]

It depends. Make sure nothing is going on that wekend and no construction is planned. My wife works in the city, she works Tues-Sat and typically leaves around 9am. Normally, on Saturdays the traffic is substantially lighter....but...things happen in Chicago in regard to traffic.

[26667]

By "our" standards, that is, those of who drive in this nut house daily, Saturday morning is a relative breeze. But there WILL be construction! Certainly on the South end of the city. The Dan Ryan, which is the part of 94 south of the city is half-way thru a 2 year project. You MUST get over to 41 S. and follow the signs to The Skyway (toll) and then into Indiana. If you do, it's not bad at all. The last place you'd want to/ be able to cut east across the city to avoid the ryan is at the 290. It's only a few blocks east, and takes you right past Buckingham Fountain, Museum Row, Soldier Field (where da bears play) and down the lakefront. In fact, much of it is a fairly pleasant drive. If you got on 41 further north of the city, you'd have a really gorgeous drive along the lakefront. You will also go thru some "city" neighborhoods. Tens of thousands of us do it every day. it's as safe as anyplace else. especially on Sat morning. Figure maybe an hour and a half to two hours from the rallye and you could stop for a great breakfast in The Windy City! On Sunday a.m. the local biker breakfast joint is at 41 and Buckley Rd.

294 (Toll)which skirts the city on the W is also under construction in spots right now. Mid-July, who knows?

I'm sure several of us will try and post more detailed info as the dates approach

[Greenwald]

Here's the drill for Chicago weekends in summer.

Friday night, the entire state of Illinois heads north into Wisconsin, and doesn't stop till they get to Door County or Eagle River.

That makes a Saturday morning run around the windy city not too bad an adventure.

I would recommend the Tri-State (I-294) rather than any of the 'expressways' thru the city, as every time I have used them, there was nothing 'express' about it!

Things bog down a little about 20 minutes south of the Wisconsin state line, as you pass by Six Flags Amusement Park and the Gurney Mills shoping complex, but that should be your only major hassle, other than lines at the toll plazas.

Good luck, and enjoy the Rally.

Ride Alert!

[larrydk]

I think we all failed to mention time of day....early typically is better

[mosrrt]

Good tips.:thumb Does anyone know of any major events in Chicago on July 14th ?
Thanks , Mike

[130888]

there is a Nascar race at the joliet motor speedway. 25 miles south west of the city ,saturday july 14 & sunday july 15

[Osfrydr]

Hi, I would go to Illinois tollway authority website..
http://www.illinoistollway.com/
Get an Ipass, no stopping on I-294 half the toll .80/.40 .. Then return it when done, website says 7-10 days, deposit is refunded as is unused toll cash!!!
Considering both ways through, I think it's worth the hassle....Also available at the first toll plaza...Check it out!!!:thumb
Jim

[ultracyclist]

There have been a couple of threads posted about the best way to get around Chicago.

It may add an hour of ride time, but it sure would be safer.

[vetbmwrider]

When dealing with Chicago traffic time is everything. If one can get through the major construction zones on the south end of town, and early in the morning or late evening, the traffic not to bad a person could take hwy 94 to IL 41 and avoid the tolls. If a person is pulling a trailer look out the tolls, they just doubled and tripled at some of the toll booths (vehicle and trailer = 1.80) (vehicle = .80). Also watch your speed in the construction zone they do use Radar Enforcement Camera’s and you will not know if have a ticket until one gets home. There have been a couple of threads posted about the best way to get around Chicago.

It may add an hour of ride time, but it sure would be safer.

[26667]

Hi, I would go to Illinois tollway authority website..
http://www.illinoistollway.com/
Get an Ipass, no stopping on I-294 half the toll .80/.40 .. Then return it when done, website says 7-10 days, deposit is refunded as is unused toll cash!!!
Considering both ways through, I think it's worth the hassle....Also available at the first toll plaza...Check it out!!!:thumb
Jim

big plus one!:thumb

[BradfordBenn]

I have four vehicles, and I have four I-Pass transponders. They help an awful lot and I-294 is getting less congested as a result.

[26667]

they have what's called "open road tolling" at most, if not all of the tollbooths around Chicago. Which means if you have an I-Pass you can maintain whatever speed you're travelling and avoid stopping to pay. The cash lane almost always involves waiting in line w possibly dozens of cagers in front and behind you.

I believe most of the tolls are a dollar if you pay cash, and 80 cents w the I-Pass
Some of the smaller exits may still be cash only. I know of at least one that was last summer. But when they take a picture of the back of the vehicle, they just match the license and bill the I-Pass

Somebody help me count. I think there's two toll booths btw Wisconsin and O'Hare, two more btw O'Hare and I-80. I don't know, but there must be at least one, maybe two more before Indiana.

294, 355 and 94 after it connects w 294 N of the city are tollroads if you're looking at the map