Getting through Chicago easiest? 2023 version
 

Time for the yearly pilgrimage to Oshkosh airshow. I am driving the Ohio/Indiana toll roads heading west through Chicago on a weeknight.... should hit the Chicago area about 8-9pm local time. I will be in my big wide cumbersome diesel motorcoach with I-pass transponder. Not interested in taking any other routes

Last year we took 294 on the way up and it had some brutal temporary construction lane changes with tight uneven lanes on the southern section. Returned after midnight on 90 right through the city... Both sucked but we made it unscathed.

Anyone here travel both of these roads recently on a weeknight? I think I read that 90 may have some serious construction going on this summer?

This years return home will likely have us entering the Chicago area around 11:00 am local on a weekday

Any advice based on current road conditions would be appreciated.

I was just passing through there a couple weeks ago (Indycar at Road America).

I prefer going right through Chicago at "off peak" times. This trip I went right through the city heading north. No big deal. On the return trip south I took 294. It should have been quicker, but it was much longer due to construction and traffic.

I have traveled this route about 6 times in the last 2.5 years. It always works best, for me, going right through the city.

I-294 still under construction - the traffic moves. The south bound lanes on the Kennedy are under construction - I would avoid this and use I-294.

Going north bound and depending on the day and time, going thru the city is a good choice.

Construction everywhere. 294 still has sections of temporary lanes and the uneven transitions. 90 is bad too.

Based on your timing, I would probably go through the city on the way there and do 294 on the way home.

I think Chicago followed the New York setup in recent years.

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Stray bullet in the radiator?, don't stop...

Thanks guys

Be safe.

Tim, hope to see you up there. I only travel 294 between 88 and ORD. All under construction and sucks. Northbound splits the 4 lanes south of the oasis for a few miles. Comes back together just before the airport. Not to bad, I think the trucks take the right two. North of that merge I think the construction stops and is clear. Southbound sucks royal it seems at all times of the day. Not sure why...

Drive safe.

This is a link to a Illinois DOT website. It is an image of the state, with little icons where there is construction. I just looked at the map and did not click on the links, but I am leaning towards the God having mercy on your soul thing a little bit.
https://www.gettingaroundillinois.com/RoadConstruction/index.html

Avoid, avoid, avoid I-90 south through the city on your return trip. If for whatever reason you do take that route, get in the express lanes - that alone will save you half an hour. 90/94 on the north side is in the beginning of another (!) three-year construction project to rebuild all the overpasses. Theyr’e doing the southbound lanes this year, the express lanes next year, and the northbound lanes in 2025. I live two blocks from the freeway in Avondale and work on the south side. Fortunately I can take the CTA or ride my bike to work, but driving sucks a lot more now. On your trip up I think you’ll be fine - by 8-9PM northbound will be clear after the usual sluggishness past downtown. 90-94 southbound will be terrible at 11AM on any day of the week. There is still construction on the 294 tollway, but it’s a lot better than driving through the city.

Thank you. I think we will do as you say and take 90 on the way up (entering Chicago area around 8pm) then 294 on the return trip which will either be around 10:00am or around midnight.

I read about the southbound construction on 90.... Not gonna go there. lol
I can't remember... Are there express lanes on 294 also? Are the express lanes always the best route to use? With my big wide motorhome in heavy traffic, I am always afraid of messing up and and getting myself in a wrong lane so I typically have not used the express lanes when going thru the city.

Northbound 90/94 is usually fine by about 7PM. No express lanes on 294 - that's only on 90/94. two reversible lanes on the north side (currently set full-time to southbound) and on the south side from about 26th St. to 69th St. the whole freeway is split into local and express sections in both directions. I don't take 294 that often but it's a big project they're doing (not sure what - I don't follow it since I don't spend much time in the suburbs) so it's taking a while. Seems to be maintaining full lane capacity or close to it. If you go through the city on the return leg at midnight there will be minimal traffic everywhere and going through the city will may be faster. If for some reason you do end up going through it in the late morning (seriously, don't), you absolutely should use the express lanes from the first entrance. They're full-size lanes, but there isn't a shoulder. They always, always get you through faster than the local lanes under current conditions. From my home by Addison to the end of the express lanes at Ohio, the express lanes save me 15 minutes in the morning rush hour over about 4 miles. I hate driving to work but sometimes have to do it.

Thanks Otter!

Ended up taking 294 both ways this year.... Went pretty smooth with no significant slow downs and the pavement was pretty smooth for once.

Ran into Scott (t6dpilot) and his dad out at his staggerwing again this year.

Will wait to see the official numbers but am guessing this was a record attendance year both in planes and people.