I’m driving from the LaCrosse,Wisconsin area and picking up a passenger near Madison on Thursday, May 27 (thurs b4 Labor day)
I will be driving to Jackson, MI.
Both The passenger and I have all day off, so can theoretically leave at any time.
Option 1 - avoid Chicago.
Take I35 south to hwy 30 take 30 through Joliet and all the way to I65. take I65 to I94
Option 2 - Go near Chicago, but arrive ~noon when traffic is somewhat less.
I90 - 290 - 294- I94 or something like that (probably arrving earlier than I’d like)
Option 3 - same as option 2 but arrive > 8pm (probably arriving later than I’d like)
At this time I’m not sure when is ideal to arrive in Jackson (others are flying there except the people who live very close) .
That said, I would toss out option #1 (You must mean I-39 instead of I-35). Too far out of the way and not necessary.
Option #2 - just plan your arrival in the metro Chicago area anytime between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Will there still be traffic - of course, but barring any accidents or the like it should be easy to get through. As for a route around or through Chicago - from Madison just stay on either I-90 or I-94 (your choice). You can always stay tuned to WLS (AM 890) or WGN (AM 720) for traffic updated and make a decision at the time as for using the Tri-State Tollway (294) or continue straight through on 90 or 94 (that time of day I would stay on 94, but driving near downtown makes some ppl nervous). For simplicity, just make sure you have enough gas in your tank to get through the metro area before having to get off the freeway again.
Take I39 south to 88 (Tollway). Take 88 East to 294 south, then follow 294 south, it eventually turns into I80 east. Then take I80 east, it eventually gets you to I94 east. I’m not sure of the construction situation, that’s always a factor.
Or, if you are feeling really adventurous, you can take the ferry from Milwaukee to Muskegon, MI.
In the name of all that’s good and holy, stay OFF of I-80 east at all costs. There’s construction in Indiana that backs traffic up to 95th street on 294 (that’s about 10-15 miles to you and me) on busy days. You’d be better off on the ferry
They’re STILL working on that road? I swear that road has been under construction since I was a child (a long, long time ago).
It looks like the Milwaukee ferry doesn’t start running until June 1st, but you might take it on the return route. The other ferry runs out of Manitowoc, that’s a bit far north of Madison.
So I guess the route of choice so far is 94 through the city. And then there’s is the “skyway” once you get to the south side. I am taking a wild guess that it’s not under construction too.
I would think that either option 2 or 3 would suffice. Either way (though perhaps less so with option 3) you’ll run into some stop and go traffic, but nowhere near as bad as at rush hour.
However, I would recommend taking 94 around Madison towards Chicago instead of 90. It’s the same time pretty much and you have fewer toll plazas and is much cheaper.
The Skyway has been under construction recently, I don’t know its current status, but I’ve heard some recent horror stories about it. At the times your talking about, I don’t think it would make that big a difference if you just stayed on 94.
If speed/avoiding frustration is your goal, stay off the Kennedy (90) between 10:30-11, you’ll do OK, but otherwise, you’ll get stuck. The Dan Ryan (94) is awful at all hours.
Yesterday I checked at 1pm and 2pm and it looked like taking I90 all the way (until past Gary) was viable, and I may still do that.
probably will take I90 and then depending of traffic reports etc make our decision then. (at least I’ll have a copilot to look at maps etc) And I’ll get to test out the “traffic” button on my car radio.
I’m hoping it won’t be as bad as I’m imagining. (I’m imaginging Godzilla emerging from Lake Michigan and blocking traffic, but only on the road I’m using)