Routing question/ Chicago area....

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by ncmickey, May 11, 2014.

  1. TruckDuo

    TruckDuo Road Train Member

    6,394
    9,373
    Oct 21, 2012
    Chicago, IL
    0
    94 to 294 to 80
     
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  3. 25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    18,677
    43,101
    Sep 18, 2006
    the road less travelled
    0
    94 and the bypass 894 go through Milwaukee, or pass closeby, I go there lots to deliver, and end up in Chicagoland or sometimes even LaPorte, IN to deliver more.

    They are working on the circle interchange for at least the next couple of years, so listen to traffic radio. Construction and accidents can screw up any route, that is one reason for taking the long way around the op first mentioned, surprises are less likely. I end up running 94 because I go downtown, uptown and all around the town. I take 41 south at the WI-IL border to miss the tolls, and if I need to use the tollway, I avoid the Edens spur, spendy for a one lane on ramp and accidents turn it into paid parking, I run 294 down to 90 and either go towards Chicago, for the close burbs and towards Rockford for the western ones.

    I don't do IL tolls in a car, ever, without I-pass. Not worth it to me when I can go on any road to get around a bottleneck. I've sat on the toll too many times not moving or crawling along to ever do it without a good reason and on cash, a car isn't that much cheaper than a 5 axle if you run tolls all the way.

    It hasn't been mentioned that I've seen on this thread, but all IL tolls from 10pm to 6am are reduced for trucks, not all tolls are manned, and the coin only booths are prone to malfunction. Gum wrappers and other things raise the dickens with them, I guess.

    I still remember the really pretty large car all polished and shined up parked at the westbound exit from 294 to 80 getting photographed so he could pay the toll later. It would only have been $2.25 cash. That one is manned and they do make change.
     
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  4. Mrs T

    Mrs T Road Train Member

    1,624
    1,496
    Aug 5, 2008
    planet earth
    0
    Just don't go through Chicago on any day that ends in a 'y' and you will be fine. :biggrin_2552:

    Plan for slow traffic and queues at tolls, expect to be tailgated and carved up by crazy people talking on their cells at the same time, know that there is one heck of a lot of intermodal traffic running through here, and then just take a deep breath and go for it.
    There's a Pilot on 80 once you get across, so plan to make it there and then stop to recover : )
    (Just don't eat their food.) :biggrin_25525:
     
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  5. 77fib77

    77fib77 Road Train Member

    8,545
    48,569
    Jul 7, 2010
    St Louis
    0
    How many more miles to go south from Rockford thru Rochelle to 80 ? Then you only hit Chicago on 80.
     
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  6. ncmickey

    ncmickey Road Train Member

    3,746
    6,796
    Jun 21, 2013
    Durham NC
    0

    This is the way I went. I couldn't leave till 830 due to the rain last night.during load out. I drove a total of 4 miles and worked 3 hrs breaking down the theatre and loading the truck with the crew. Then still had to take my 10 hrs break..(i k ow I could have driven more last night but I would rather drive during the day if I have a choice.) ..Smooth sailing till I got close to 294. Then tons of traffic and people weaving in and out and causing general havoc till 80. Then construction traffic...on 80.

    The tolls sucked because I had to stop at each one. Gonna recommend the company gets an ezpass for the drivers. At east there was no back ups at the tolls. Once on 88, the trucks 55 mph limit kinda sucked but the whole roadway went to 55 before too long. That didn't stop the 4 wheelers from going 70+ while weaving in and out. Just another day. I am getting more used to traffic... but it still makes me nervous as hell... didn't 'relax' again to 94 split off 80 towards Michigan and I196

    Thanks everyone for the advice and directions....
     
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  7. mattbnr

    mattbnr Road Train Member

    1,950
    837
    Aug 19, 2010
    Tama,Iowa
    0
    The skyway is like $26 for trucks I think. It's some ridiculous price. I accidentally took it once and about had a Heart attack when I seen the prices.

    The key to Chicago is get close but not too close. Go through either early morning or late at night. Avoid your normal rush hour times- 5-9am, 12-2pm, 4-7pm. Night time is the best for Chicago. You can breeze right on through and never hit the brakes if ya time it right.
     
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