Indianapolis to Elkhart Lake Wisconsin...

brirene wrote:


I dunno...seems like a loooong ways to go to miss 15 miles of traffic, but that's just me. Good luck with whatever you decide!

I don't disagree. I live just south of Milwaukee so it makes no sense for me to take the "long" way. But that stretch is still one of the hairiest I've ever towed though. I don't like going through there without a trailer!

Mike Hohnstein wrote:


I've taken the 100 mile 'short cut' for years to miss Chicago. 74 to 39 north to Beloit, 43 thru Milwaukee up to US 57, State 23 over to State 67 north to Elkhart Lake. Much less stressful.

I dunno...seems like a loooong ways to go to miss 15 miles of traffic, but that's just me. Good luck with whatever you decide!

Mike Hohnstein wrote:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Elkhart+Lake,+WI/@42.3278598,-89.7562386,7z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x88037cb5a5ffe38b:0x826009cf0fe6917b!8m2!3d43.8333269!4d-88.0178729

I've taken the 100 mile 'short cut' for years to miss Chicago. 74 to 39 north to Beloit, 43 thru Milwaukee up to US 57, State 23 over to State 67 north to Elkhart Lake. Much less stressful.

how are the roads for driving a 43' with a toad ??

You are wise, that stretch between Gary and 294 is horrible. The issue isn't traffic slowdowns, people are simply nuts. No respect at all for trailers. And that's during a non-peak time. Not a pleasant drive when towing.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Elkhart+Lake,+WI/@42.3278598,-89.7562386,7z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x88037cb5a5ffe38b:0x826009cf0fe6917b!8m2!3d43.8333269!4d-88.0178729

I've taken the 100 mile 'short cut' for years to miss Chicago. 74 to 39 north to Beloit, 43 thru Milwaukee up to US 57, State 23 over to State 67 north to Elkhart Lake. Much less stressful.

Don't be overly concerned about the 65 to 80 route. Major improvements with additional lanes made a few years ago. I go through there several times a year and rarely even have to slow down. Beyond the unforeseen accident or construction, traffic moves very well. Time it for midday, then take 80 to 355 (toll) or further west to 39.

Our favorite route for years, which helped avoid some of the worst (including what is often a bottleneck at the junction of I-65 & I-80) was to take exit #220 off I-65 (Rte 10), and head west to US 41. Turn north on 41 and take it to S.R.2 (which becomes S.R. 17 when you cross the Illinois border) - that will go west a bit, then take a rather sharp turn to the right - continue north on that road (it will turn into S.R.1 after 17 turns off to the west) until it turns into a 4-lane and becomes 394,I believe). That will take you to I-90/294 tollway - go west on that & stay on the tollway around Chicago. Eventually it will reconnect with I-94 in Lake County IL, and you can take that north to Milwaukee. (Not 100% sure of the route after that, as we only went to Elkhart Lake once.)

If you stay on 80 and go west of the Chicago 'burbs, it will be a long way around, and more 2-lane roads, but may involve less traffic.

Any other way involves a looong detour.