Eugene, OR. to Willowbrook, IL (Chicago) and back

[GreenImp]

In a couple of weeks, I will be driving over from Eugene, Oregon to Chicago to pickup a 5th wheel. I would love to hear suggestions on peoples preferred routes and why. I have not yet decided whether the trip will be all business, or if I will take some time to see anything that may be along the way.

I have a very faint memory of camping at Three Island Crossing near Boise with my Grandparents about 35-40 years ago. I am considering taking I-84/I-80 so that I can stop by there. Google shows this as the shortest route anyway. I have been told however, that I-90 would be much faster this time of year...not sure why though.

[GreenImp]

I wanted to post my findings after the trip for any who may find this thread in the future (better late than never ...right?)

Our plans changed again before the trip happened, and it wound up a business only trip. I drove over and back as quickly as I could...about 3 days each way. Now that the trip is over, I really wish I had taken more time to enjoy it. We are working on some plans to get back there again soon.

I took I-94 over, and I-80 back. In my opinion they both had their pros and cons (just like everybody said!). The biggest thing I learned (other than I need to get out of the Pacific NW more often!), is that driving as far as you can and then finding a place to stay, does not work for those of us who can drive till night time. Finding Hotel Rooms at 10-11pm was a real pain...I even had to backtrack my second night out. If your version of "driving as far as you can" gets you off the road in the afternoon, then I'm sure there wouldn't be any problems with this. Also, I suppose this being an RV Forum, this wouldn't matter to most anyway (I had no RV on the way there, and wasn't able to use it on the way back).

The other thing I wanted to mention, is that driving over the Rockies wasn't anything to worry about (at least in August anyway). In my opinion it wasn't any different or worse than any other mountain I have ever crossed. I worried WAY too much about this trip before hand. I guess that would be expected though for any who hadn't driven much outside of Oregon and California before.

Thank you to all who helped.

[newk]

I-90 is much more scenic, imho, especially once you hit the mountain time zone (Nebraska/South Dakota). The South Dakota Black Hills (Badlands Nat'l Monument, Mount Rushmore, Devil's Tower Nat'l Monument, etc., etc.) is along I-90, as well as the site of the Battle at the Little Bighorn. Yellowstone wouldn't be far out of the way. I-90 through northern Wyoming is much nicer than I-80 through southern Wyoming, and Montana and northern Idaho beat the heck out of the Utah and Nevada desert. Traffic is also much lighter on I-90.

[camperpaul]

Spend one day in Lincoln Nebraska.

You'll want to see this on the North wall of the Amtrak station:



Spend a couple of days at Starved Rock State Park near Utica Illinois exploring the canyons - it's about 90 minutes from Willowbrook and a good place to spend the first couple of nights in your new 5er.

[GreenImp]

Thanks again for all of the replies. This trip just became a family vacation. It is now more about what we can do along the way rather than how quickly I can get it done.

Does anybody have suggestions for camping/sightseeing along either of these routes (I-80, I-90, I-94). I imagine this now belongs in a different forum.

[paulj]

Google Maps gives essentially the same distance (give or take 50 miles) and time (give or take an hour) for I84/80, I90/94, or I90.

At the Chicago end it chooses I88, but that is a tollway (admittedly one of the nicer ones). But I80 to I55 is nearly as short/fast, and doesn't have any tolls.
Since others mention construction on I90 tollway (to Rockford), taking I55 to Willowbrook looks most attractive.

Your actual travel time will depend more on the mix of driving and resting, than on the actual route.

[GreenImp]

Thanks for the replies. Especially about the construction.

Does anybody have any idea why somebody would have said "this time of year, I-90 would be way faster than I-80"? I have not been able to get hold of them to have them elaborate.

Here's another thought/question...If I were to go out one route and back another, is there a "better" way to do this (subjective, I know).

[rockhillmanor]

I will be driving over from Eugene, Oregon to Chicago to pickup a 5th wheel.

oops edit.
I just read your post, didn't see you had the suburb in the title.

[amandasgramma]

enblethen wrote:
I would go straight east from Eugene on OR 126, pick up OR 22 and then US 26 until you get to I-84 at the OR/Id border. From there you can take your choice of either staying on I-84 after Three Islands SP.
You should take your time. It doesn't add that much to use US highways over interstates.

This is our choice of route, too. Although from Bend to Ontario isn't a "highway", it's an easy, good route with very little traffic. 🙂

[rockhillmanor]

WHERE in Chicago?

There are numerous ways to get into the Chicago area and surrounding suburbs. My guess is if the guy has a FW for sale he does NOT live in downtown Chicago but a suburb of it. When I lived there I always just said I lived in Chicago it's just easier than explaining all the suburbs.

Some of the main routes into the Chicago area are downright 'bad'.
If you give the specific area you are going to we can give you a much better way to go then anyway google tells you! Especially when you leave to go back towing the FW.

[jtovosr]

Take I-80 to I-55 then north to Willowbrook, I-90 is under construction from Rockford to Chicago, if you decide to take 90 be sure & take I-39 south from Rockford to I-80 to avoid the construction.
Be sure you get to Portillos in Willowbrook on Rt 83 for a famous Chicago Italian Beef Sandwich, the sandwich alone is worth the trip.

[enblethen]

I would go straight east from Eugene on OR 126, pick up OR 22 and then US 26 until you get to I-84 at the OR/Id border. From there you can take your choice of either staying on I-84 after Three Islands SP.
You should take your time. It doesn't add that much to use US highways over interstates.

[camperpaul]

I would take I-80/I84; it's freeway all the way.

If you take I-90, you will start paying more for tolls than you pay for fuel as soon as you hit Illinois.