What is the most efficient way to bypass Chicago?

[davehultin]

We're getting our trip plans lined up for summer, and one trip will have us coming from Wisconsin, then going around Lake Michigan, and then heading towards Ohio (to Cedar Point in Sandusky). We did this route once before and went through some very congested (and kinda sketchy!) areas of Chicago.

Looking for advice from any veteran travelers of this route, what's the most efficient way to bypass the busyness and congestion of the Chicago area?

[hornet28]

JKJavelin I stand corrected. I didn't realize I'd listed the Badger for people and Lake Express for cars. Thanks for correcting that

[JKJavelin]

hornet28 wrote:
Where did you see an $89 one way rate for seniors? The rates I posted came off their site for 2021

I see it's $67 for the slower Badger Ferry,which has 2021 pricing.
$89 is for Lake Express seniors.
The Lake Express website still shows the 2020 prices. This is copied off their rate page:

EASY ON, EASY OFF VEHICLE DECK
Passengers on the Lake Express have the option of traveling with or without their vehicles. For those wishing to bring a vehicle, the auto deck offers the flexibility to accommodate vehicles and trailers up to 8? 6? in height, 8? in width and 18? in length. Please note, vehicle prices do not include the driver or any additional passengers.

[hornet28]

Where did you see an $89 one way rate for seniors? The rates I posted came off their site for 2021

[JKJavelin]

hornet28 wrote:
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

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!

[Trekkar]

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,+ND/Duluth/Mackinaw+City/Sandusky/@47.2362097,-93.7346767,8.08...

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

[hornet28]

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

[JKJavelin]

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.
JK

[doxiemom11]

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

[Allworth]

FLY!!


Sorry, couldn't resist.

[BarabooBob]

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.

[dedmiston]

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

[valhalla360]

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/#!41.50953629836762,+-82.69118619457295~40.747773,+-86.775359~Wisconsin&qu...

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)

[Edd505]

Interesting route, I grew up in WI and forget about the UP. Have to put that on my to do list, been way too many years and the UP is beautiful.
Ferry WI to MI">Ferry WI to MI

[hornet28]

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,+ND/Duluth/Mackinaw+City/Sandusky/@47.2362097,-93.7346767,8.08...