By-Passing Chicago traveling east to west

[Art]

We are taking our August to October trip to the west this year from NJ. In bypassing Chicago, we don't want to stay on I-90 (in the city).

Is it better to:
- go from I-90W to I-80/294W to I-294(NW) and back to I-90 near O'Hare airport, or
- go I-90W to I-80W farther west to I-355 to I-290 back to I-90W (west of the airport)?
Thanks!

[PackerFan]

If you are going East to West just stay on I-80 and pass to the south of Chicago. Piece of cake, we have done this several times and hate going through Chicago Area.


You really didn't say where you were heading to though.

[DQDick]

Same with us. We did get on the other route during rush hour due to a detour we had to take at the time. Never again.

[Mudchief]

I-80 is a easy way. I have gone that way about 6 times. Just avoid rush hour.

[RovingHome]

I did this last week from Jersey to Utah and it really doesn't even go close to Chicago. I just made sure to gas up before hitting the area and just cruised right through not a problem at all.

[allmi01]

I live in the Chicago Metro area. I use I-80 west. You could use the I-355 to I-290 to I-90 route but the last 3 rods are toll roads.

better, but longer way to to use I-80 to I-39 North to I-90. Only tolls are I-80/I-294 split and one on I-90 near Wisconsin state line. Less traffic and fewer tolls. It's what I use.

Mike

[Slufoot733]

Art, I agree with all above on staying with I-80. Just one word of caution.......PAY ATTENTION TO THOSE SIGNS!
As soon as you cross the state line from IN to IL the roads split. Just be sure to stay with I-80 at that point. The signs give good advance warning as to which lane you want. If you take the wrong one you could end up on surface streets in downtown, like a guy I know did. Not good. Just watch the signs and you'll be fine.
Have a good trip.

[jpkelpe]

If there is a race on Sunday afternoon you will have a lot of stop and go traffic. We know