I 80 westbound through Chicago.

Will be watching the weather as we are going in April as our wives want to be in Paducah KY for a quilt show on April 23.. Taking 40 east then up to Lebanon OH, then Elkhart. If weather is an issue will dive south from Elkhart or bypass it altogether.

South Bend/Elkhart locals often take Bypass 20, IN2 and US20 to I94, bypassing the tollway.

Took I-80 from Cleveland to I-29 north. Not bad except for the ramp to I-80 where I-80, I-90, I-94 meet was closed. Had to go to I-65 to pick I-80 back up.

Taken I80/90 many times pulling a 30 Airstream with a Suburban heading to WI. Like any major city, Chicago can be a **** shoot. I try to cross the IN/IL line about 10 am, cross my fingers and pack my patience. I'm sure you'll be fine.

Just a reminder. There is a toll to pay west bound just after the split where 80 is marked Iowa and the other road is marked Wisconsin. I don't know how much it is.

We've traveled I-80 skirting Chicago several times heading both east and west. Timing is EVERYTHING when running through there. I'd try and time it so you're running by Gary around lunch time maybe a little later. It can be "fast-paced" going through there but if you roll with the flow you'll be just fine. Keep in mind if there's an accident on 80 -94 all bets are off. One thing I like to do is tune in WBBM 780 (AM) when getting close to the area, they have traffic on the eights and most of the time the info is pretty good.

Watch your timing and you'll do great. Once you get past the I-80, I-294 interchange it's pretty much smooth sailing westbound.

Dan

JohnG3 wrote:

Thom02099 wrote:
I've traveled that route a few times, but not recently, heading back to far NE Indiana. I used (headed WB) US 20 through the Elkhart/South Bend area, over to I-94, then I-94 WB to where it picks up with I-80. One trip back there was a lot of construction, but on a subsequent trip, it had, for the most part, been completed, on I-94/80. Just followed the signs I-94/80 to I-80/294, and then just I-80. I don't recall any specific problems as this was late morning, around 11ish/Central Time. Goal was to leave the Angola area early morning and be through the Chicagoland area by noon (CT) and we were west of Joliet before noon.

Looks like we're heading that way and then south/west through Denver, then Salt Lake City, Las Vegas then home. How is the road/grades/traffic generally through the Denver area? This trip will be late April.

Hey... H E R E is a post in another thread that may address your question. And with that other post, a lot depends on if you want to see the sights while traveling back, or just want to get there with minimal fuss.

In late April, the chances for snow are reduced...but not eliminated. Not uncommon for late season snows, and they are usually heavy wet snows, and dump on the mountains. The good news is, at lower elevations, it melts off fast.

If it were me, I'd not go to Denver unless you have a compelling reason to want to, and take I-80 all the way across Wyoming to SLC. If you just want to get from point A to point B. If sightseeing, that's a different matter, and I'm sure others may have some suggestions for that!

Thom02099 wrote:
I've traveled that route a few times, but not recently, heading back to far NE Indiana. I used (headed WB) US 20 through the Elkhart/South Bend area, over to I-94, then I-94 WB to where it picks up with I-80. One trip back there was a lot of construction, but on a subsequent trip, it had, for the most part, been completed, on I-94/80. Just followed the signs I-94/80 to I-80/294, and then just I-80. I don't recall any specific problems as this was late morning, around 11ish/Central Time. Goal was to leave the Angola area early morning and be through the Chicagoland area by noon (CT) and we were west of Joliet before noon.

Looks like we're heading that way and then south/west through Denver, then Salt Lake City, Las Vegas then home. How is the road/grades/traffic generally through the Denver area? This trip will be late April.

I've traveled that route a few times, but not recently, heading back to far NE Indiana. I used (headed WB) US 20 through the Elkhart/South Bend area, over to I-94, then I-94 WB to where it picks up with I-80. One trip back there was a lot of construction, but on a subsequent trip, it had, for the most part, been completed, on I-94/80. Just followed the signs I-94/80 to I-80/294, and then just I-80. I don't recall any specific problems as this was late morning, around 11ish/Central Time. Goal was to leave the Angola area early morning and be through the Chicagoland area by noon (CT) and we were west of Joliet before noon.

It is snowing in Iowa today.
I think your route selection is BAD this time of year especially.

I would suggest that you go south first in your trip rather than last.
Catch I-74 at Indy over to Springfield, IL.
Then 55 south all the way to I40.....at least. Maybe all the way to I-10.