Chicago Traffic Thread

[Gustavus Adolphus]

For those who don't often travel around the city, perhaps this could be a useful thread. It just so happens I have an issue I need help with tomorrow.

I work in Hyde Park. I have to get to Lake Zurich for a varsity football game that I am refereeing. What is my best bet to take?

I can do 290 all the way there, 90 to 294 to half day, 90 all the way to 53, the edens to half day.

I'll be leaving around 315, need to be there at 530.

 

[Rice Cube]

There's a major bottleneck at the area where you have to exit for 290 after you get off Lakeshore Drive. If you're in Hyde Park you probably don't have much of a choice though. Do you have a traffic app? I usually avoid driving in the city and the expressways during the weekdays because of all the traffic, so either a traffic app or paying attention to the radio reports prior to leaving would be your best bet. You'll have to go up LSD regardless so that'll give you time to decide whether to hit 290 or just go straight 90. Two hours is more than enough time to get you there though, so I doubt it matters.

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

There's a major bottleneck at the area where you have to exit for 290 after you get off Lakeshore Drive. If you're in Hyde Park you probably don't have much of a choice though. Do you have a traffic app? I usually avoid driving in the city and the expressways during the weekdays because of all the traffic, so either a traffic app or paying attention to the radio reports prior to leaving would be your best bet. You'll have to go up LSD regardless so that'll give you time to decide whether to hit 290 or just go straight 90. Two hours is more than enough time to get you there though, so I doubt it matters.

Yeah, I'd rather not do 290 if I don't have to. I've never driven 90 going west, only east, so that is where my worry comes in.

I have a pretty decent traffic app, but never paid for the full version to give me actual travel times. It just gives me the congestion reports.

 

[derosabomb]

Yeah, I'd rather not do 290 if I don't have to. I've never driven 90 going west, only east, so that is where my worry comes in.

I have a pretty decent traffic app, but never paid for the full version to give me actual travel times. It just gives me the congestion reports.

90 going west on a friday will more than likely be a slow moving parking lot. you should still have enough time though.

if it was me id probably go 90 to 53.

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

90 going west on a friday will more than likely be a slow moving parking lot. you should still have enough time though.

if it was me id probably go 90 to 53.

Do you think the Eden's to 22 will bring me too far east?

 

[GaelicSoxFan]

The entrance ramp from 90/94 to 290 is a major bottleneck. Also, despite widening it at Hillside, the 88/290/294 interchange is still pretty bad. It looks like your best bet would be Lake Shore Dr. to the Stevenson ramp, then taking the Kennedy to 294 to Half Day Rd.

 

[derosabomb]

Do you think the Eden's to 22 will bring me too far east?

nah that would work also... i just think whatever way you end up taking is gonna be be fucked since is a friday rush.

i like gaelics advice also.

 

[zack54attack]

90 going west on a friday will more than likely be a slow moving parking lot. you should still have enough time though.

if it was me id probably go 90 to 53.

This.

I take 90 West from Cumberland home everyday from school. From Chicago to about O'Hare where it splits will be slow moving traffic no doubt.

 

[BearWest54]

At the time you're leaving, you should make it regardless of what route you go. I would definitely use the traffic app, because 290 going West that early may be less busy than 90 to about the Oak Park left lane exits. Once you get through those, you should be free and clear all the way up to Lake Zurich taking 290. If there is heavy traffic on 90 (experience tells me there will be), it may end up being much slower than 290. Then again, you can't plan on something so fluid, so using that traffic app is vital.

 

[Sunbiz1]

The entrance ramp from 90/94 to 290 is a major bottleneck. Also, despite widening it at Hillside, the 88/290/294 interchange is still pretty bad. It looks like your best bet would be Lake Shore Dr. to the Stevenson ramp, then taking the Kennedy to 294 to Half Day Rd.

Hillside isn't that bad anymore, I've been through it during rush and non-rush hours all summer...it's the Ike east of there from about 25th to Austin or so in both directions that sucks. I've had to use Roosevelt Rd. as an alternate about 50% of the time, even on a Sunday once. That entire Xpressway needs additional lanes.

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

116 minute trip. Great game with a final score of 3-0.