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LindanMick's avatar
LindanMick
Explorer
Jul 25, 2023

Around Chicago west to east?

I know this has been asked before but I couldn’t find it. We are heading to Shipsawana from La Crosse Wi. I really don’t want to go through Chicago area. I’m looking at I-90 down to Peru Il then try and find a way over to 31 north in Indiana. Does anyone have a good route over ? We have a 36 foot fifth wheel and I’m very okay with not driving interstates. Thanks
Roads and Routes
  • JKJavelin's avatar
    JKJavelin
    Explorer III
    Jul 27, 2023
    Living in Milwaukee, going through Chicago is a PITA. In the past we have gotten up super early so that it's mostly semis going through there at 5AM. But lately I've found that hitting Chicago late morning is not too bad at all. As mentioned above, 294 is the way to go. Or take 39 to 90 at Rockford.
    JK
  • LindanMick's avatar
    LindanMick
    Explorer
    Jul 26, 2023
    Thanks all. I’m thinking of taking 39 south to Peru Il and over on 24 to 31 north to 20 east. We are retired and I will drive 2 extra hours not to have to go through a major city.
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Jul 26, 2023
    Tyler0215 wrote:
    How far out of your way are you willing to go.
    Us30 is worse than I80.
    Take I39 S to I80 E. Time your trip to be on I80 after 10AM and before 2PM.
    Or 9PM to 5 AM.


    this
    bumpy
  • dturm's avatar
    dturm
    Moderator
    Jul 26, 2023
    There are construction projects going on I80 in NW Indiana. I'd avoid at any time until construction is finished. US 30 is a poor alternative unless you like stop and go and many stop lights.

    US 24 is a reasonable alternative, but I don't know if construction is taking place now.
  • Tyler0215's avatar
    Tyler0215
    Explorer
    Jul 25, 2023
    How far out of your way are you willing to go.
    Us30 is worse than I80.
    Take I39 S to I80 E. Time your trip to be on I80 after 10AM and before 2PM.
    Or 9PM to 5 AM.
  • Mike134's avatar
    Mike134
    Explorer
    Jul 25, 2023
    LindanMick wrote:
    I know this has been asked before but I couldn’t find it. We are heading to Shipsawana from La Crosse Wi. I really don’t want to go through Chicago area. I’m looking at I-90 down to Peru Il then try and find a way over to 31 north in Indiana. Does anyone have a good route over ? We have a 36 foot fifth wheel and I’m very okay with not driving interstates. Thanks


    Through Chicago is a no go and 294 is under construction with shifted and narrowed lanes.

    53 changing to 355 to 80 isn't bad depending on time of day and day of the week. 80 is always a mess around the bottom of the lake and I think there is construction on 80 also.

    Good luck
  • stickdog's avatar
    stickdog
    Explorer
    Jul 25, 2023
    I35 to I80 E to I57 S to US 24 E to Indiana 13 N to Shipshewana.
  • obgraham's avatar
    obgraham
    Explorer
    Jul 25, 2023
    You could go south of Rockford, then 52 and 30 toward Indiana. But some of 30 is pretty sketchy -- might be better off to just stay with the interstates and find a better time off day (Ha!).

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