Good Sam Club Open Roads Forum: What is the most efficient way to bypass Chicago?


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valhalla360

No paticular place.

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Posted: 01/10/21 10:14am

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pianotuna wrote:

Hi,

There used to be a ferry you could take across Lake Michigan.

Depending on where in WI you are starting, you could take I-39 then turn east on I-55, then continue on #14

https://freecampsites.net/#!41.509536298........Distance=25&routeIndex=0&roundtrip=false

The Lake Express Ferry (Milwaukee to Muskegon) is fast and will bypass Chicago but it's not cheap. They say to call for rates but a car with a 10ft utility trailer is north of $200 each way.

The UP will avoid Chicago and assuming you cruise at 55-60mph, won't cost you much time.

Really the best option is to plan the trip to pass thru during a low volume time period (say Sunday morning)

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dedmiston

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Posted: 01/10/21 02:53pm

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I fixed the hella long URL above with the Link tool so it wouldn't break the page.

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BarabooBob

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Posted: 01/10/21 06:19pm

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I agree with C.B. I39 south to US 24. I HATE Chicago any time of the day or night and plan my trips to avoid it. If going southeast, I take I39 to I74.
I live near Baraboo, just 15 miles off of I39 so going south on 39 works for us.

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Allworth

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Posted: 01/15/21 01:47pm

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FLY!!

Sorry, couldn't resist.

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doxiemom11

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Posted: 01/18/21 08:41pm

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The ferry can't be any more expensive than what you would spend on fuel to drive there . I'd consider it.

JKJavelin

Milwaukee, WI

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Posted: 01/19/21 07:40am

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I'm in Milwaukee and Chicago traffic is often an obstacle.
Plan A- Leave early on a weekend only, hitting Chicago about 6a.m. There's traffic, but not too bad.
Plan B- I-43 out of Milwaukee to I-39 south.
Plan C- Lake Express ferry from Milwaukee to Muskegon. Expensive, but sometimes they have good deals on round trips. There's also the slower but cheaper Badger ferry out of Manitowoc, WI. We've done the Milwaukee ferry twice, car only.
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hornet28

Muskegon

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Posted: 01/19/21 08:01am

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Here are the rates, it's certainly less expensive to drive around, especially if you're towing

Fares listed do not include $6.50 security fee, each way. Security fees do not apply to any children's fares.
...
Our 2021 Season is May 20th - October 10th, we look forward to seeing you soon!
One Way Round Trip
Adults $72 $131
Seniors (65+) $67 $124
Child (5-15) $27 $44
Children under 5 FREE FREE

How much is the Muskegon ferry?
Easy On, Easy Off Vehicle Deck
Passengers One-way Roundtrip
Auto 107.00 202.00
Auto with Trailer (up to 10ft long) 221.00 424.00
Auto with Trailer (More than 10ft long) Call for Rates
B

Trekkar

Michigan

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Posted: 01/19/21 11:56am

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hornet28 wrote:

If you will be leaving from somewhere in Wisconsin C.B.s route down I-39 to I-80 is the way I avoid Chicago. I also plan to go thru early in the a.m. or late at night.
If you're leaving from Fargo you could do the route I'll post a link to. This route is only 53 miles longer but about 3 1/4 hrs longer. This route avoids Chicago plus Minneapolis which I hate worse than going around the bottom of Chicago.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Fargo,+N........2320f!2m2!1d-82.7116821!2d41.4561754!3e0

If you decide to go the U.P. route, US2 normally moves pretty well, and the max speed limit is mostly 65 mph.

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JKJavelin

Milwaukee, WI

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Posted: 01/20/21 06:11am

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hornet28 wrote:

FYI, the Milwaukee/Muskegon ferry auto rate does not include the humans. Senior rate is $89 ea. So 1 car($107) + 2 seniors = $285 one way. Plus whatever extraneous fees they add on.
But it's fun!