Heading west on I90 then eventually north to St. Paul MN in late July. Is there any relatively painless way to miss what I recall from the past to be a tough passage around Chicago? (We're from Boston so I can deal with some pain). Any help would be appreciated. Jim

I always go on i-80 south of Chicago over to I-39 and up. I have tried variances around a little south but they were dreadful. just don't hit it at rush hour.bumpy

Option 1: I-80 to I-39 and head north from there. This is longer but you will completely bypass the Chicago area. Expect a lot of trucks on I-80.Option 2: I-80 to I-355 N to I-90 W. This is shorter but has tolls. Traffic can get heavy within 10 miles of I-90. The roads are good though. I believe Illinois accepts EZ-Pass now. Their system is called I-Pass. Check Google Maps for traffic conditions before you drive through.

Bumpy was much more polite than I was thinking. My first thought was I-40, Memphis is about as close as I would want to get. I have driven I-70 and it was not horrendous but if you are continuing west, St Louis is no joy either.It may be slower, but have you considered the Canadian side, The drive should be prettier, and you would avoid quite a few larger cities.

You could take the SS Badger from Ludington to Manitowoc and miss Chicago.

Bumpyroad wrote:I always go on i-80 south of Chicago over to I-39 and up. I have tried variances around a little south but they were dreadful. just don't hit it at rush hour.bumpyx3

Best Route Around Chicago | Good Sam Community

22 Replies

VoodooMedicineM
Explorer
Jun 09, 2017
Let us know how the voyage was.
Tonijim
Explorer
May 25, 2017
Booked passage on the good ship Badger! Thanks to all for your help!

Jim
DrewE
Explorer II
May 25, 2017
Tonijim wrote:
Thanks to all for your helpful responses. Re the SS Badger - is there a place to overnight our 31' Class C at the Luddingtin terminal for the morning crossing?

Thanks,

Jim

Their web site says there's free parking for paying passengers at both terminals. You may wish to call to confirm, but I would be rather surprised if there was any trouble with parking and staying there overnight.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
May 25, 2017
DaveG39 wrote:
I have visited New England many times and when I go west on northern route I generally cross Canada at Thousand Islands or Buffalo area to Sarnia/Port Huron then up to the UP and over to Wisconsin and Minnesota. Great scenery to stop and enjoy and avoid all the large cities from Erie through Chicago.

but when I enter Canada they make me take my fuzz buster down.
bumpy
DaveG39
Explorer
May 25, 2017
I have visited New England many times and when I go west on northern route I generally cross Canada at Thousand Islands or Buffalo area to Sarnia/Port Huron then up to the UP and over to Wisconsin and Minnesota. Great scenery to stop and enjoy and avoid all the large cities from Erie through Chicago.
Tonijim
Explorer
May 25, 2017
Thanks to all for your helpful responses. Re the SS Badger - is there a place to overnight our 31' Class C at the Luddingtin terminal for the morning crossing?

Thanks,

Jim
AJR
Explorer
May 25, 2017
I like the SS Badger idea also.

If not that I-80 to I-39 is my route around Chicago.
Hammerboy
Explorer
May 24, 2017
I like the SS Badger idea. We took it across a number of years ago, why not have some fun on your way there and get to see one of the great lakes?

Dan
Mortimer_Brewst
Explorer II
May 24, 2017
Bumpyroad wrote:
last time I was in that area going w to I-39 I listened to the chatter on my cB where it seems that a big rig took one of those close in roads that does NOT allow trucks and he was trying to figure out how to get out of that mess before getting stopped and fined.
bumpy

Trucks (including pick ups) are not allowed on any road designated as a Boulevard in Chicago. This includes Lake Shore Drive. Chicago has an amazing number of ways to squeeze money out of people. For example a city sticker for a pick up is over $200. Get caught without one and they can fine you $200 per day. Make sure you take the old sticker off or that's a fine as well. Here's a rather extensive list of some of their fines.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
May 24, 2017
last time I was in that area going w to I-39 I listened to the chatter on my cB where it seems that a big rig took one of those close in roads that does NOT allow trucks and he was trying to figure out how to get out of that mess before getting stopped and fined.

there is decent campground south of Rockford where I spent the night.
bumpy