MSS

We travel out this way fairly often and usually take I 70. Hate the trek through Columbus an Indianapolis as we usually encounter rush hour at some point and more trucks than cars most of the way. Was thinking of trying I 80 which would bring us down I 55 in Illinois for a change of pace. Question - will Chicago area be congested or will we bypass most of it? Appears to be a little longer, but should make time on the turnpike. Has anyone traveled to the midwest via the I 80 route?

tomfuller

I have driven through Chicago on I-80 and do not like it.
How about US 30 to US 224 then US 24 all the way to I-55 south to I-72 to get to Hannibal?

Gretchen

To miss that hundred miles or so, I can't believe going near Chicago would be a solution. I know the I70 stretch very well, and it is full of trucks, but it isn't "forever".

Gretchen

If you really want to go a different way, you might take I71 from Columbus down to Cincy, and then to Louisville and get i64 westward.

MSS

Thanks for the replies. Funny thing, Mapquest said I70 would take 10 hrs, 20 minutes, I80 would take 10 hrs, 25 minutes. 70 is 635 miles, 80 is 651 miles. According to these calculations, it didn't seem that bad, but will check out the other suggestions. May just end up taking 70 again. Hate it though!

illnative

I -70 is incredibly boring and there are a lot of trucks. But you don't want to risk getting stuck in Chicago traffic on I 80 - that could add 2-3 hours to your 10 hour drive if you hit it just wrong or it could be just fine. The risk of the same thing happening on I-70 is comparatively low....

boom_boom

IMO, I-80 around Chicago is much worse than 70.
You coud do 80 as far as US 421 a bit east of metro Chicago area then take that south and US 231 for a pretty straight shot to I-74 west of Indianapolis to I-72 into Hannibal.