Commuting Through Chicago

[Mr Downtown]

Originally Posted by Manigault

one could take I-90 to I-290 to I-55 north to Lake Shore Drive south.

Leaves out several steps. If someone really wanted to do this, the directions would be I-90 east to Rt. 53/290 south to I-90 east to I-55 north to US 41 south to 57th Drive, continuing on Cornell Dr to Stony Island Ave to I-90 east.

[Manigault]

Originally Posted by Mr Downtown

Leaves out several steps. If someone really wanted to do this, the directions would be I-90 east to Rt. 53/290 south to I-90 east to I-55 north to US 41 south to 57th Drive, continuing on Cornell Dr to Stony Island Ave to I-90 east.

No. From I-290 take I-294 south at the Hillside Strangler to I-55. Its only about three miles. Then take I-55 north to Lake Shore Drive.

[summer22]

Just some thoughts, don't know if they're worth anything, but here goes --

171 Cumberland/First Ave. through the suburbs

How about from I-90 taking Cumberland Road (Illinois Rte. 171) south to McCook -- at this point 171 crosses the Stevenson and you can exit on Harlem (Illinois 43) southbound. Take Harlem south until you get to Oak Lawn -- go west for 1/2 mile on 95th street and then jump on I-294 toward Indiana.

Advantages: I'm pretty sure (though its been a while) that Cumberland (also known as First Avenue) is four lanes for most of that route, or at least wider than the average city main street. Its all suburban, so no city crime danger like there is on Stony or Irving Park. Some interesting sights, suburban downtowns, main streets, entrance to Brookfield Zoo, Forest Preserves, Loyola medical center. At least its some variety and something to look at. Safe and decent places to stop and rest, or grab a soda, or stop with your laptop along the way (fast food, restaurants, go browse some books at Borders.)

Disadvantages: You go through small suburbs so some of this route will be stop-and-go and have suburban Friday afternoon traffic. There might not be any time advantage. The scenery might be more pleasant though.

No good alternatives to I-80 (Sibley, 159th, US-30)

Its also frustrating that there's no other good alternative to I-80 for getting into Indiana from, say, Tinley Park area or the 355/80 cross. There's been times I've been just sitting on 80 in unmoving traffic and wishing I could think of a different way to go, even for part of the trip.

159th Street, which passes South Suburban College, might be passable and safe enough. Sibley Blvd. potentially could be passable too. Both of those would take you across the state line into Hammond. I had a few friends from Hegewisch and they knew their way through. I never could get totally comfortable with it though.

Or there's 394 to Glenwood-Dyer Road (83)? 394 to Steger Road? 127th/130th east through the city? Any thoughts on those?

Definitely you should not take US-30 as an alternative no matter how bad 80 gets (even if that looks tempting on a map.) It goes through Ford Heights which is one unsafe area. It also has very poor signage and if you don't know the route, you have to stay alert.

South on 41

Also -- if you take 41 (Lake Shore Drive / South Shore Drive) from the city into Indiana, you can then either take 41 south to the expressway or you can go eastward on 12 (and catch the expressway close to the Indiana/Michigan state line.) That Route 12 drive is an interesting one. From about I-65 east I think its pleasant, and I enjoy it -- the part of 12 that goes from Porter to Michigan City is one of my favorite drives, its beautiful. The west leg (Illinois state line to I-65) is frustrating, I think. Lots of industry, poor road maintenance, and a part of it goes through Gary.

[Mr Downtown]

City crime danger on Irving Park or Stony? You do realize the OP will be inside a vehicle, right?

[Manigault]

Originally Posted by Mr Downtown

Leaves out several steps. If someone really wanted to do this, the directions would be I-90 east to Rt. 53/290 south to I-90 east to I-55 north to US 41 south to 57th Drive, continuing on Cornell Dr to Stony Island Ave to I-90 east.

No. The guy is going to Detroit. Lake Shore Drive is IL-41 which one can take south until it becomes city streets. Follow the route number through the Bush where the big concert was this weekend. Then turn on to 12 & 20 through Gary to I-94. No need to go down Stony Island to the Skyway.

[Mr Downtown]

But why would he want to twist and turn through The Bush and the East Side (on US 41, not IL 41), much less use 12-20 through Hammond and Gary when he could hop on the Skyway to head east at 70 mph?

[Manigault]

Originally Posted by Mr Downtown

But why would he want to twist and turn through The Bush and the East Side (on US 41, not IL 41), much less use 12-20 through Hammond and Gary when he could hop on the Skyway to head east at 70 mph?

It is far more scenic on route 41 and the Skyway can get jammed at rush hour and is expensive.

[dewthedru]

Originally Posted by summer22

...so no city crime danger like there is on Stony or Irving Park.....

crime danger on irving park? are you effing kidding me?

[Manigault]

Originally Posted by dewthedru

crime danger on irving park? are you effing kidding me?

Stony Island Avenue is a major commuter thoroughfare from 56th all the way down to 103rd st. I don't know where there is any crime danger on Stony, either.

[scolls]

I happened to be browsing the thread and I drive from Detroit to Minneapolis all the time. I take 94 to 294 to 90 and back to 94 in Madison. I did the Chicago thing once when my sister was driving and insisted on going through Chicago. We ended up in a huge traffic jam. I had to go to the bathroom so I bad I was able to get out of the car, walk up an exit ramp, go to a gas station, buy some snacks and drinks and return to the car that had just made past the exit ramp.