Next week we will be traveling from Central Va to the Chicago area (Mt. Prospect to be exact)to visit my wife's parents and I would like to know if there is any major construction concerns along the route. We are not camping this trip. Our route is lynchburg Va to Roanoke, south on I-81, west on US-460, North on I-77, West on I-64 to KY route 9, 9 to Cincinnati, I-275 around to I-74, I-74 to Indy, I-465 to I-65, and north to I-80/90, then on to the Tri-state tollway (I-294).
I'm mostly interested in the Chicago area. We follow I-80/90 to the Tri-State tollway (I-294) and then up to Des Plaines where we get off. Her parents are only a few minutes from here. Is there an alternate route we could pick up off of I-65 prior to getting to the I-80/90 intersection that would get us near the Tri-state?
You could take the interstate into Champaign, IL from Indy (I70 or 74?), and then 57 up to Chicago area. Tri-state is only a few miles east of 57 on 80. Be a bit out of the way, I would think, but you could avoid the never ending bottleneck around the south end of Lake Michigan. Also a new extension from I55 to I80, 355, which is toll. Comes into I80 west of 57. You could then take that farther north to get closer to Des Plaines.
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Be aware that the Tri-State has construction yet again. They're widening some of the sections that weren't widened a few years ago. Worst is the north end, I think, which is past where you'll exit, but there still is some you'll run into.
The I65 I80/94 interchange is being rebuilt and is a mess. Suggest you exit I65 and cut over to US41 or continue into Illinois and catch 394 to rejoin your route.
Doug
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Thanks for the responses, especially the heads up on the I-65/80 interchange. Looking at the map I may be better getting over to US 41 at Crown Point or at Lowell and heading up rather than at Merrillville with its congestion.
When I go that direction, I usually use US24 to cut over to US41. Good road, pretty rural. When you get up to US30 head west to 394 in Illinois. I go up 41 north of US30 because I have to, the best way home, but BIG traffic.
Quote: I usually use US24 to cut over to US41. Good road, pretty rural. When you get up to US30 head west to 394 in Illinois. I go up 41 north of US30 because I have to, the best way home, but BIG traffic.
Even better - less stop & go traffic - is take Rte 10 from I-65 to US 41, head north on 41, and in 10 miles go left on SR 2. Stay on that road as it crosses the IL border, and eventually hooks to the north, becoming IL SR 1. Stay with it thru the growing town of Becher and it will become 394, a 4-lane. That will take you to I-80/294 west, and you can continue west on 80 as far as you need to. Watch the exit from 394 to 294/80 - it can be a little confusing, as it's an exit for both east & west on 80 (west will be the second part of that exit).
We've been using this "bypass" for years now (folks live in southern IN) and love it. It's 2-lane but a good road. Lots of trucks, but a good steady 40-55 mph (depends where you are on it - watch the speed limit signs) and a lot less hassle than the traffic on US 30. And WAY better than that I-65/80 connection!
Thanks Doug and Kknowton. After years of battling the I-65/I80 corridor after being on the road 13 hours, I decided to look into an alternative route. This is a big help.
All road alternates are under construction...this is the Chicago-metro area and it is construction season, after all.
The bridge over 80/94 at I-65 is currently gone, being rebuilt, and the detour is awful. Any of the routes mentioned are going to be difficult to travel right now, except during off-peak times, like the middle of the night. Ugh. I hate living here.
This link will show you updates all day about traffic hotspots, etc., I find it useful when travelling thru. Good luck.
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