Will be heading west on I90 from east coast. I90 goes right through the city. Is that a smart thing to do with a motor home even in the middle of the day? Looks like I could take I94 in Indiana to I294 and up to I90. Is that a good alternate?

IMHO neither one is a great alternative. I try to give Chicago a wide berth if I can manage it. (On the other hand, I-90 is far superior to going on the surface streets, many of which ban large vehicles.) I-80 to I-39 would be my choice in that area if going somewhat near Chicago.More generally, I prefer to go through Michigan, probably going through Ontario from Niagara Falls towards Flint, and then either take the SS Badger from Ludington to Manitowoc (not inexpensive, admittedly) or go up to the upper peninsula and take US 2 across towards wherever. The upper peninsula doesn't get one back to I-90 very readily, but depending on where you're going I-94 or US-2 may be viable alternatives heading west.

80, 90, and 94 all come together near Gary, IN. 90 and 94 split off and both go through downtown Chicago. I would not consider taking either in a motorhome except maybe at 3:00 AM or 4:00 AM. 294 gets you around downtown, but takes you right by O'hare airport and the associated traffic. You could continue further west on 80 and take 355 north. Gets you further away from city traffic. Biggest issue is that 355 is under construction for the entire length (resurfacing, but still moves at 60 or better). 355 and 294 are both toll roads and will work with EZPass. 80 to 39 keeps takes you through lots of farmland so minimal traffic. Will add about 100 miles to your trip but gives you minimal aggravation.I would take the 294 or 355 route. Have done them both in my motorhome with towed.

We went through Chicago last year with a 40'DP pulling a Jeep. I don't mind traffic, but the whole Chicago area is full of toll roads, toll bridges and has the worst road conditions that I've seen in a long time. I bet them haven't put a penny of the tolls into the infrastructure since they were built.Steer way clear if you can.Bill

294 is in fairly decent shape as far as road conditions go. 90 and 94 not so much. 80 has some bad sections westbound from IN but is in pretty good shape. 39 north of 80 has had quite a bit of resurfacing done in the last couple years. As I mentioned earlier, the entire length of 355 is being resurfaced. "Rough Grooved Surface" is how they describe it.

Spend forty four years driving all the roads in and around Chicago. I80 to I39 is your best bet. Westbound best to hit Ilinois after morning rush 10:00 to 2:00. Eastbound isn't that bad before 2:00. There was westbound construction last fall westbound and you had to exit south on I65 go down to the next exit and make a cross over northbound a nd then exit west on I80-94 ramp.

Travel around/through Chicago? | Good Sam Community

AJR
Explorer
Jul 12, 2018
Make sure you have lots of gas before you enter the Illinois toll roads. It just makes life simpler.

When you get to Wisconsin I90 is under construction from Beloit to Madison. It is actually a good thing. The speed limit is 55mph. So just stay right and follow the big rigs. They are doing 60mph.

My preferred route is still I80 to I39. I prefer to look at corn fields going by at 63mph and few crazy drivers. Plus it is free till you get to the Wisconsin boarder.
dapperdan
Explorer
Jul 10, 2018
Two Travelers when we go through Chicago we ALWAYS take I-294 around using our I-Pass. For your needs I would come into Chicagoland on 80-94 (from the east), take that west to 294 and try to get through Gary around noon to say 3:00 pm. You'll have easy going north on the toll road, we've taken 294 at that time SEVERAL times in the last 3 years! Our last trip through was just this last April on our way back from Nashville. You'll have NO traffic troubles north-bound up to the Kennedy (I-90), 90 will take you northwest out of the metro area (just north of O'Hare field), easy peasy north through to Wisconsin.

Traveling around Chicago is all about timing! Another suggestion would be to tune into WBBM 780 on the AM dial, they give traffic reports on the eights ALL day long! Early afternoons have always worked for us when heading back home.

Good Luck
Dan
paulj
Explorer II
Jul 09, 2018
I lived and worked in Chicago and nearby suburbs for 20 years, and never once was I carjacked or hit by stray bullets from some passing gang fight. In the city I preferred to take the CTA than to drive. But when driving to Indiana (in a car) I often took the freeways though downtown, especially in the earlier days when I tried to avoid tolls.

Heavy commuter traffic will make driving anywhere close to the city difficult, especially in a big RV. But keep in mind that most of those commuters are just like you, with a nice house in the suburbs and RV in the drive way. That's why weekend traffic in/out of metro areas can be as heavy as the weekday commute.
Mortimer_Brewst
Explorer II
Jul 09, 2018
Normally I would recommend I-355, but they are currently resurfacing it. I-294 isn’t too bad. They are just starting a long term rebuild, but it’s just affecting ramps in the western suburbs at this point. I-90 is an excellent road between O’Hare and Rockford. FYI, Illinois accepts EZ-Pass. Avoid rush hours if possible. Taking I-39 will add almost an hour to your trip. Google Maps with Traffic on is your friend.
BarabooBob
Explorer III
Jul 09, 2018
Two weeks ago my wife and I drove our F150 Super Cab pulling a 20 ft TT through Chicago (still the murder capital of the US) at 10:00am. We had stop and go traffic for about an hour but we just chilled out and let traffic do what traffic does. We made it through without any major problems.
AJR
Explorer
Jul 08, 2018
This summer take I80 west to I39. There is a lot of construction on I355 & I294.

Check this out
https://www.illinoistollway.com/web/guest/projects
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Jul 08, 2018
I'm not a Chicagoland fan either but my relatives live in Frankfort and I am there regularly and I've learned when to pass through and when not to.

Big thing with me is having a transponder and using it. I have a Mass-Pass but any Easy Pass works.
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Jul 08, 2018
I run through Metro all the time. I do not go through the city ever, just around the perimeter. Always run an Easy-Pass and just go with the flow (of traffic).

BEST TIME TO NAVIGATE THE WINDY IS BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 4AM, NEVER DURING THE DAY.

Do not even think about getting on any surface streets. LOW clearance viaducts abound and crime also abounds.
suprz
Explorer
Jul 08, 2018
Go around'
Busskipper
Explorer
Jul 08, 2018
two travelers wrote:

Will be heading west on I90 from east coast.

I90 goes right through the city.

Is that a smart thing to do with a motor home even in the middle of the day?

Looks like I could take I94 in Indiana to I294 and up to I90.

Is that a good alternate?

Unless you have a need to be IN Chicago, MY ADVICE is to stay as far away as Possible.

Do Not - I Repeat - Do Not - Drive a Motorhome through Chicago.

My idea of a Good Alternative is to get on I-74, then over to Hannibal and take RT 36 out to the West.

Good Road - Light traffic - Great non Interstate drive West of the Mississippi.

JMHO,

As you can tell - not a fan of Chicago or I-90 :S