Need advice,trailering through Chicago

[outasite]

Boys or girls,I need help.I have need to trailer from Michigan to Wisconsin Labor Day weekend.This will put me going through Chicago,on Wednesday or Thursday.Any advice as to what time of the day is best or worst.Went through there a couple weeks ago and was in fear of my life.Seven hours going down Friday daytime,four coming home Saterday evening.

[Frank Molé]

as early as you can 4 am is good,place is a horror show....p.s. gas up no stopping

[outasite]

Thanks Frank,what a zoo.Stop,go,STOP.Everyone on there cell phones.Me scared crappless with no hull insurance.A month ago on the way to the romp,I had a girl run into the back of the Viking,ran the prop shaft through her hood,and the skeg through the grill.So I'm a little gun shy:eek:

[Frank Molé]

go early,= less stress,i go around there most times,longer but better..................

[MN4V]

If you're going in the day time, 10 am to 2 pm would be the best.
Mark N

[outasite]

Thanks for the tips!

[vnemous]

There were 2988 shooting victims in 2015 in Chicago area. This year in only half that time there have been 2399 shooting victims. You couldn't get me anywhere near there. JMO

[rock]

There is really no good time to go thru there. As someone else stated, go around.

Rock

[Brad Zastrow]

GPS always has you going through downtown Chicago. Slow and frustrating. Take the bypass I-294 and you will fly. Almost anytime of day is OK

[cyhuff]

I agree with Brad, I 294 is the way to go. If you have time, get an i-pass, it will save you from having to stop at all the tolls, and will save you some money. And mid day or at night will help too, but it's never as bad as going through town.

[Mr. Demeanor]

Theres no rush hour in Chicago. Traffic is always a nightmare.
NOt that you would be stay off Lake Shore Drive (US41). No trucks or trailers allowed.

[97 TWISTER]

From where in MI to where in WI??? You could always go around the North way a bit longer and nicer drive.

[outasite]

From where in MI to where in WI??? You could always go around the North way a bit longer and nicer drive.
Right now that is the plan,about two hrs longer.The other option is the car ferry.I live in the home port of Ludington on the Mi side,problem is cost,about $550 round trip, for the boat.and saves little time overall.The drive through the UP and northern Wisconsin is most likely well worth the two extra hrs.Only thing you have to watch up there, is not to hit a moose,bear or wolf:D

[Robby321]

My recommended route would be to stay on I-80 to I-294, the Tri-State Tollway, and take it around the west side of the city. You can still encounter heavy traffic and construction, but it keeps you out of the center of the city.

Just stay on 294, grin, and bear it. Hang a big ass red flag back the boat.

Or for sure ya can take the northern route as no stress!

[Mr. Demeanor]

You can also take I80 to 355 now and go north depending on where in the land of cheese and brats your headed that might be an option.

[Mr. Demeanor]

If you go through the UP gotta stop at the Mystery Spot LOL

[Robby321]

You can also take I80 to 355 now and go north depending on where in the land of cheese and brats your headed that might be an option.

YES! I lived there mile away when it was built! And no tolls, as ya pay to get on, and pay when ya leave...at least first built. Avoids 294 completely. just the suburbs now. Just take 80 east around the city and soon ya see it.

[Mr. Demeanor]

I80 and 355 only connected recently. Before that 355 ended at Lemont Rd.
I grew up in New Lenox when it was a little Mayberry USA. Now i80 and 355 both go through and its a suburb of Chicago.
It has been well for mother who has owned property there since the 60's.

[Turborr]

I was leaving downtown chicago heading to the west side on the eisenhower. My gps picked up traffic and diverted me to bypass the traffic. I ended up places that I should have not ended up. OMG. That was a real freightning experience. DONT stray from the major highways. For people who know the area I ended up on Jackson Blvd and ended up in Cicero before I got back on the eisenhower in a rental vehicle with out of state plates.

[Robby321]

I80 and 355 only connected recently. Before that 355 ended at Lemont Rd.
I grew up in New Lenox when it was a little Mayberry USA. Now i80 and 355 both go through and its a suburb of Chicago.
It has been well for mother who has owned property there since the 60's.


I went back in 06 it was a real mess I55 as 355 was still under going construction to 80. Took 4 HOURS from Morris to Downers Grove traffic backed up. But it's finished now.....

[nitro_rat]

There is really no good time to go thru there. As someone else stated, go around.

This...

[outasite]

If you go through the UP gotta stop at the Mystery Spot LOL
Grew up in St Ignace,just down the street from "castle rock":D When I was five and six I was on the north side mackinaw bridge every day as it was being built.Our family ran a restaurant there,and me and "gramps" had to deliver the lunch boxes to the job site every day.

[PARKER RABE]

just worry about comming south and delivering me those cowls!!! :):):)

[outboards4life]

YES! I lived there mile away when it was built! And no tolls, as ya pay to get on, and pay when ya leave...at least first built. Avoids 294 completely. just the suburbs now. Just take 80 east around the city and soon ya see it.


The tolls are $3.80 for a car or $1.90 if you have an Ipass. and it is not set up like the Indiana toll road that you pay when you get off the expressway. However it has the least amount of traffic for any of the expressways around here. I was just on it today.

[Robby321]

The tolls are $3.80 for a car or $1.90 if you have an Ipass. and it is not set up like the Indiana toll road that you pay when you get off the expressway. However it has the least amount of traffic for any of the expressways around here. I was just on it today.

I remember when I bought a house in Downers Grove, 63rd and Main. 1986. I was only 2 miles from it. Thing is no one really knew of it, but I was going out with the R/E agent that worked for ReMax. Had (still do) a R/M map, and wondered what that double dotted line was on the map? It was in the plans to be made, just not started yet. Friend flew a V Tail Bonanza, and we did the route. So it was open before I left 94, but then pay at entrance, and off ramps. But I went back in 06, and stayed a friend who let me use his I Pass. DAMN! Going north around say Oak Brook..(remember when that was a corn field the 60's!) and there must have been 15 lanes on/off, traffic lanes in places!

I just dragged the map out and the dotted line starts south at 87th. Along it says "Proposed Rt 431". Ended up 355. or East West toll road. Goes north past Glen Ellyn where the map stops.

I know now its from I55, and into 290. Remember where 290 ended at Lake Cook road. Then had to take 12 to Fox Lake. They ever extend 290 north?.

[Mr. Demeanor]

Grew up in St Ignace,just down the street from "castle rock":D When I was five and six I was on the north side mackinaw bridge every day as it was being built.Our family ran a restaurant there,and me and "gramps" had to deliver the lunch boxes to the job site every day.

My Dad lives just outside Indian River. Used to boat up there every summer.

[outasite]

We still try to do the inland,once a year.We trailer the 28' and put in at Bert lake and run to Boise Blank,Then back to Cheboygon for the nite.Great trip!!

[Robby321]

We still try to do the inland,once a year.We trailer the 28' and put in at Bert lake and run to Boise Blank,Then back to Cheboygon for the nite.Great trip!!

Any ever do Door County? the "fish boils", as the Ferry to Washington Island, and as no vehicles allowed, you can rent mopeds and "do a slow cruise" and explore! Lotta fun! Plus Oshkosh, as been there 5 times for the week" Also a old GF mine HS, married Mike Rosati ( Pizza chain, and know the whole family as grew up with them), and own 40 acres Door County.

Mid west people STILL RULE!

[Hippie459MN]

I go from Minneapolis to Chicago area almost twice a week. Best time, if you can, go through in the middle of the night or crazy early in the morning. If your going up towards the Rockford IL, Beloit, WI direction, take 94 to 80/294, 294 up to 290 then jump on 90. If your going up towards the Milwaukee way, 94 it all the way. But yes, middle of the night is the best time if you can, Avoid the place betwwen like 6-10am then 3ish to about 7pm. Thats just my experience and I spend way more time there then I care too but going to the area every week pays good for what im doing so I go.

[outasite]

Any ever do Door County? the "fish boils", as the Ferry to Washington Island, and as no vehicles allowed, you can rent mopeds and "do a slow cruise" and explore! Lotta fun! Plus Oshkosh, as been there 5 times for the week" Also a old GF mine HS, married Mike Rosati ( Pizza chain, and know the whole family as grew up with them), and own 40 acres Door County.

Mid west people STILL RULE!
Have made that circle a few times.We leave Ludington mi,go straight across Lake Michigan to Manatowoc Wisconsin then sturgeon bay to Green Bay then out to Washington island.Then back across lake mich to Frankfort Mi,then south to home. Three to five days of GREAT boating.

[Robby321]

Have made that circle a few times.We leave Ludington mi,go straight across Lake Michigan to Manatowoc Wisconsin then sturgeon bay to Green Bay then out to Washington island.Then back across lake mich to Frankfort Mi,then south to home. Three to five days of GREAT boating.

WOW? So ya cross the lake? How far miles? The lake can (ya know this) can get real mean a incoming fast storm!

[outasite]

Its about 55 miles to the Manitowoc inlet.we are at the narrowest part.Its about a two and a half to three hour trip across.FUN STUFF!!! We plan for early morning,or late afternoon departures.

[outasite]

Ok,one last thing.just in case I get brave,is it safe to pull a hot rod boat through that area around Chicago at 2AM. Hate to get shot,and lose my boat in the same day:D

[Hippie459MN]

Stick to the interstate and you will be fine. Start going up and down MLK Blvd or Cicaro and you might run into problems. LoL

[Robby321]

Ok,one last thing.just in case I get brave,is it safe to pull a hot rod boat through that area around Chicago at 2AM. Hate to get shot,and lose my boat in the same day:D

Do NOT go through the city! Do I 55 to 355 north.

But the comment Cicero? Lived 2 towns west, and when all the bars closed 2am? The bars on Ogden Ave were open to at least 4am. And the "Fire Alarm"? NEVER CLOSED 24/7! Plus the "Novi's" Italian beef place? Best beefs known. Been gone 22 years now, but its all still there!

[Hippie459MN]

But the comment Cicero?

Thats what I meant, Cicero Ave. While its not all that bad, personally, there are parts of it you would not find me driving down in the middle of that night but thats just me personally. Maybe its cause I am not super familiar with the area other like a resident of the area would be. I drive truck and go between Minneapolis and the greater Chicago area twice a week and there are a few places I dont care to go even during the day.

[Robby321]

Thats what I meant, Cicero Ave. While its not all that bad, personally, there are parts of it you would not find me driving down in the middle of that night but thats just me personally. Maybe its cause I am not super familiar with the area other like a resident of the area would be. I drive truck and go between Minneapolis and the greater Chicago area twice a week and there are a few places I dont care to go even during the day.

If ya know the area, now big. But WAY to easy to get lost and "ya know what meant.."wrong side the city")...........

[Turborr]

If ya know the area, now big. But WAY to easy to get lost and "ya know what meant.."wrong side the city")...........

That happened to me few months ago heading to the west side and there was an accident and my gps decided to reroute me.....ended up on Jackson blvd....realized that I am definitely in the wrong area...tried to get back on the eisenhour....ended up in cicero. Definitely not the highlight of my trip.

[outasite]

If I do go that way I will plan to pass through between 9 and 11 PM.