Best car route through or around Chicago
 

Soliciting local opinions on best route by car through (I-94) or around (I-294) Chicago. I am leaving Kalamazoo, MI about 8am on Monday 7/26 and heading to Sheboygan, WI. Google Maps shows only about 12 minutes difference in normal drive times between these two routes, but I know there is a lot of construction. Experienced opinions please?

No major construction on 294. North of the border in WI there is a massive road reconstruction project that has traffic down to 2 lanes. There is also construction on I 94 in IN around the I 65 interchange. and I 90/94 interchanges
I would stay off of the thru Chicago route (I94) unless you
like traffic jams.

Joethekay, thanks for the quick response. So you recommed taking I-294, right? What would the tolls be? Is there any alternative to the reconstruction on I-94 in Wisconsin?

You can find a map of the Tollway with rate info at www.illinoistollway.com. You'll have to pay $.80 at the first 3 plazas (163rd Street; 83rd Street; and Cermak/22nd Street). Then $1.00 at Touhy Ave and $1.50 in Waukegan before you cross into Wisconsin.

Most local drivers will have an Ipass transponder so they'll drive through and pay the tolls automatically. To pay with cash, you'll have to pull into the toll booths on the right of the highway.

Back from our trip, and happy to report no major delays for construction in Chicago or north into Wisconsin. We found many sections of new pavement, so perhaps some earlier construction has now been completed. There was one stretch of I-90 Westbound on the Indiana Toll Road that was down to one lane for about four miles. Our return trip southbound on I-90 on Sunday afternoon was breeze. Thanks agian for the advice.