Oshkosh Wi to Dayton Ohio

[msmith1199]

Next week, on a weekday, I'm going to be going from Oshkosh to Dayton, Ohio. I've never driven around Chicago before. We're going to spend part of the day at the Airshow and then at some point head out and if possible get all the way to Dayton, and if not get as many miles behind us as we can. Google has is at 481 miles. The google route shows to take 294 around Chicago and then 80 to 65 and then South on 65.

So the first question is that the best way around Chicago? We may be hitting the road in the afternoon so we could be hitting Chicago around commuter hours. How is that route during those hours?

After we get through Chicago looks like the next choke point is Indianapolis. Google's route is 65 and then 70 right through the middle if Indianapolis, but my guess is it's probably better to take 52 (The beltway?) and go over the top of Indianapolis and then pick up 70. Is that the best route?

Any other suggestions to get from Oshkosh to Dayton on any different routes? We're doing this in a car.

[msmith1199]

dodge guy wrote:
If you really want to avoid traffic, go back to 90 from Oshkosh and take that to I355 via I294. 355 goes south to I80. much less traffic. and less tolls (maybe)! And less aggravation!!!

Or just stay on I39 (i90) south to I80. It's a bit longer route, but no traffic.

I had checked that on Google but it was 100 miles further. You would have to avoid a lot of traffic to make that worth it.

[dodge_guy]

If you really want to avoid traffic, go back to 90 from Oshkosh and take that to I355 via I294. 355 goes south to I80. much less traffic. and less tolls (maybe)! And less aggravation!!!

Or just stay on I39 (i90) south to I80. It's a bit longer route, but no traffic.

[msmith1199]

camperpaul wrote:
The toll will be $8.80.

No special lanes or discounts.

Thanks. That's not too bad of a price if it's a less crowded route.

[msmith1199]

camperpaul wrote:
Karen,

Yup there is construction all along I-94 from Milwaukee to Indiana.

Msmith wants to travel during rush hour, so I-294 will be the best route.

Paul

I don't want to travel during rush hour, but that's the way the schedule is going to work out.

[kknowlton]

Absolutely. We always felt 294 was the better option anyway - but for sure during rush hour! 🙂 That said, 294 can slow to a crawl in parts during rush hour.

Msmith, check your private messages. I wrote out a route that will save you some of the congestion around the junction of I-80 and I-65.

[camperpaul]

Karen,

Yup there is construction all along I-94 from Milwaukee to Indiana.

Msmith wants to travel during rush hour, so I-294 will be the best route.

Paul

[kknowlton]

Msmith, Definitely take 294. Camperpaul, isn't 94 under construction this year? Or is that 90?

The "beltway" around Indianapolis is I-465. To head to Dayton, take the section that goes around Indy to the north - unless that's under construction. (Hoosiers, any clues on this?)

[camperpaul]

The toll will be $8.80.

No special lanes or discounts.

[msmith1199]

Also I'll be in a Hybrid car with two people. Are there two person car pool lanes or lanes for Hybrid's that avoid tolls or anything like that?

[msmith1199]

94 runs right through the middle of Chicago. Are those other roads all toll roads? If so what's the toll? I don't mind paying the toll if it saves some time. Got a lot of miles to cover and a short time to do it.

[camperpaul]

Best bet is to hit Chicago at 2:00AM.

Unless you want to pay a small fortune in tolls, take I-94 through Chicago.

You will need to exit from I-94 to US-41 as soon as you cross into Illinois; the exit is on the LEFT side of the road and is not easy to see.

Yes, take the "beltway" around Indianapolis.

Current traffic, construction etc info is available here.