I 80 westbound through Chicago.

Last we were thru there (2014) west bound, we were running 75 trying to keep up with traffic.

I am guessing somewhere in the area of 1 hr 30 min based on the times we have gone thru that area, it all depends on traffic, it's a mess at the 80/94 interchange area, has been for the last several years.

Plan is to leave late enough to miss the morning commute. Drive time estimate from Elkhart to Chicago?

It will be bad - I came through it the last time on Thursday Oct 13, 2016 and it was a nail biter in the mid afternoon


Next time I will try to hit it earlier in the day

I80 / I90 runs together from Eltria thru Chicago!

We always stay at the Southbend/KOA when in Indiana, clean, quiet and a great Italian restaurant just outside their gate. Patricia and Thomas are great hosts.

JohnG3 wrote:

Staying on 80 to Denver then south through Lost Wages then home.

Thanks in advance for any help.

When ?? Keep an eye on the weather. If they have had a significant snow accumulation recently (I think they have), the hazard can extend WEEKS as the snow melts a bit and re-freezes at night.

That close to Chicago they only know two ways to drive:
Pedal to the floor
and
In the ditch

I personally hate 80. Too many trucks and other traffic. Summertime I prefer 90 and this time of year as far south as you can go: 70, 40 or 10 depending on the weather forecast at the time.

In our 15 yrs of FTing, we would pass through Elkhart twice per year and most often stay for a night or two at Elkhart CG. FHU, reasonably priced with most discounts including the 15% SKPs. Extremely easy to get in and out. Sites plenty big to stay hooked up if you wish though not within, for me anyway, walking distance of groceries or a restaurant - guess about 1 mile + walk. Easy off either Elkhart exit of the IN turnpike depending on if you are heading East or West. Have never had to call for a reservation and never turned away. They do have a large overflow area (I've never needed it) so I would doubt they'd ever be in a position of turning someone away. In 15 yrs of staying in cgs 365 days per year, I don't remember any cg manager as friendly or professional as Gita, Owner/Mgr.

As to Chicago/ i80. I never found it too bad. Depends, as with most large cities, on what day and what time of day but even on the busiest of days its about an hour of hassle from where it gets busy to where it tapers back off. At the time we pulled a 40' fifth with a small semi tractor and I'd usually find a 18 wheeler going the speed I liked and ask on the CB if he minded if I tucked up behind him. Always said "yes" and I could pretty much relax and just watch his back side. He'd radio if something was up ahead that required slowing down or changing lanes. Nearly every time we'd end up with a semi riding on each side of us as well so it was like we were in a 'cradle'. JMO

I80 doesn't truly run through chicago. There will be a slow down by Joliet, heavier near evening rush hour. Enjoy the ride