Interstate safety.

When most people think of Wisconsin they generally don't think of bad traffic, but that entire stretch of I-90/94/39 is MURDER on a Friday night, Sunday afternoon, or the night before any holiday. Especially the stretch 20 miles on either side of the WI Dells in the summer months. Heading east and after getting around Chicago, once I got on the Indiana and Ohio turnpike, it was usually more relaxing than that Wisconsin stretch as crazy as that sounds.

Anything within 30-40 miles of downtown Chicago can turn into a traffic nightmare even during the off-peak hours, nothing surprises me there anymore. Between 6AM-10AM and and 230 PM-630 PM you WILL hit bad traffic, no doubt about it. Though with I-294 upgraded recently Chicago is not nearly as nasty to get around as it used to be.

Another stretch that is terrible is I-94 between St. Cloud, MN and Minneapolis. Just one of those roads with two many cars and not enough lanes. One of those "why the hell weren't extra lanes added 20 years ago' roads.

When running from Chicago to Minneapolis/St. Paul, I would almost always run I-90 from Tomah, WI to Rochester, MN, and then US 52 to Saint Paul. It is only 20-30 miles farther depending on where exactly you're heading to, and far less traffic. And all the stoplights on 52 are gone now, except for the 2 in Cannon Falls, MN. I-90 from Tomah west has far less traffic overall, and is practically deserted at night.

US 61 along the Mississippi River between Winona, MN and St. Paul is not a bad way to go either, if you have a little more time to play with. Beautiful drive during the day and nearly deserted later at night.

Plus this way would get me through the house, but in addition to that it was less traffic and I got to miss 2 DOT scales.

 

I drive all the above mentioned moto cross tracks with Interstate signs. In a 62 mph truck. I have found the best place for me is the right lane. The only thing that makes me move left is is the cell phone attached to someone's ear and hand. The right to merge and traffic will yield has been assigned to these select drivers. Along with a maneuver that allows enough speed to pass while on the ramp, get in the way some, then start hard on the brakes with a look of horror at the predicament they are sure I have caused. If I can't move left, I pound the brakes and hope for the best. So far so good.

 

Hey 5wire, I really like that sig line of yours!