through Chicago or circumvent?

[bass_n_bob]

I am planning a trip west from NY to the national parks out west. I will be traveling in September. I have a motor-home towing. Last time I made this journey I went around Chicago. This time I have planned to go through that area on a Sunday. Is Sunday OK to stay on 90 or would those that travel that area still recommend going around?
THX

[bid_time]

I like you thought I would try it. Weekend, middle of the night - Never again. I'll go 100 miles out of my way.

[bighatnohorse]

Read this post for more specific suggestions:
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28570767

[pigman1]

Did it once, on a holiday when traffic was supposed to be at a minimum. Wouldn't ever do it again. Terrible road conditions, nuts for drivers, and tolls were ridiculous. We go up the Michigan Upper Peninsula and across. We go to Alaska (7 trips and again next year) and through/around Chicago is shorter, but definitely not faster or better.

[STBRetired]

Since they shut down the proposed Illiana Expressway, there is no Interstate south of 80 until you get to 74. That's a LONG way out of your way just to avoid Chicago. Surface roads are not really a viable alternative due to the population density (read as stop lights and traffic) along the northern Illinois/Indianan border. There are some decent back roads, but you probably need to live around here to figure them out. They won't save you any time, but will avoid a lot of aggravation.

[gbopp]

suprz wrote:

doxiemom11 wrote:
We would do 80/39 also. We would drive out of our way to avoid Chicago. Have sat in traffic backed up for miles and miles - no accidents - not rush hours, just how it was. Never ever again.

X4 or 5!

I-80 is not far enough out of the way for me. Chicago traffic is crazy.

[suprz]

doxiemom11 wrote:
We would do 80/39 also. We would drive out of our way to avoid Chicago. Have sat in traffic backed up for miles and miles - no accidents - not rush hours, just how it was. Never ever again.

X4 or 5!

[Bipeflier]

Ralph Cramden wrote:
Going through did not work well for Clark Griswold.

That was East St. Louis, IL

[doxiemom11]

We would do 80/39 also. We would drive out of our way to avoid Chicago. Have sat in traffic backed up for miles and miles - no accidents - not rush hours, just how it was. Never ever again.

[in5r]

X2 with 80 West and catch 39 North. Have done this route many times with much less headache.

[STBRetired]

No day of the week is good for taking a MH and towed through the city on 90 unless you go through around 3:00 AM. You would be better off taking 294 around the city. You can take 80 to 355/ IL53 and go around the city a ways further out into the suburbs. Check the Illinois Tollroad website to see if there is construction on 294 or 355. If you really want to minimize your "city traffic" then take 80 to 39 as suggested earlier. Not sure what is scheduled for next September.

[DrewE]

I would definitely go around Chicago unless there was something in particular that I wanted to see or do in the city.

From New York state, I would give consideration to skipping Illinois entirely and going across Canada to either the lower or upper peninsula of Michigan, and thence to Wisconsin. If money is not particularly tight the SS Badger ferry might be a fun option to get from Ludington, MI to Manitowoc, WI.

[Ralph_Cramden]

Going through did not work well for Clark Griswold.

[rr2254545]

Go around for sure no matter the day of the week take 80 west to I39 north

[theoldwizard1]

General big city - Sundays are usually good for driving through a big city UNLESS there is a big event (football, etc).

Weekdays are also acceptable IF you get there BEFORE rush hour (about 6AM) or after rush hour (about 7PM). I have done Cincinnati several times in the middle of the day. Not too bad !