Looking for a route around Chicago

[Boscorelli]

Hi,
I'm travelling from CT to SD. I've been down I-80 and I've been down I-70.
I like I-80 except when it gets near Chicago (the traffic is brutal). Does anyone know a good route that bypasses Chicago. I'm considering taking I-80 out to Akron, Toledo or South Bend, then heading south - in a big loop - bypassing the Chicago area. I need to end up in Sioux Falls, SD.
I'll drive a hundred miles out of the way to avoid that traffic!

[Rick the Rocket]

On I-80 near Toledo take US 24 towards Fort Wayne, Indiana continue on US 24 which is 4 lane to Logansport Indiana after that it is 2 lane but the towns are small with little traffic. At Peoria, Il head back up to I-80.

[Boscorelli]

I plotted the route out in Garmin Mapsource and it is exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks, I'll give it a try!

[Rick the Rocket]

When you get to Logansport to continue on US 24 you will be on US 35 for a bit. I would recommend you go straight on to Monticello Road and follow it north to get back on US 24. Shown by the red arrow.

The exchange at the bottom of the included pic (shaped as a Y with the #35 in the middle) was designed by a demented (j/k) engineer and is the site of many wrecks.

If you do use the exchange, be aware that there are 2 stops with obstructed views at 2 highways within a 1/2 mile. There have been flashing warning lights added that have marginally helped.

[timfromma]

I've done this exact drive a couple of times already. I got on I80 just south of Chicago, drove west to I29 just north of Omaha then took that north until I picked up I90 again at Sioux Falls.

[richp]

I live in the west suburbs of Chicago, and when we travel east, I have learned to tolerate the interstate mess of 80/90/94 south of the lake. That's in the interest of not having to put up with the stop and go, slow speed, local routing that other options represent.

Yes, driving in a canyon of tractor trailer boxes is distasteful. And the speed demons who gun past you at a reckless pace are unnerving. But as long as you go mid day and stay away from the interstates through the city itself, you can survive. I choose 80 as a straight route across to the east every time.

FWIW.

Rich Phillips

[markb422]

If you have a little extra time, why not head up through Michigan, over the bridge, through the UP. Take US-2, 35, 41 to follow along Lake Michigan to Green Bay, Appleton, OshKosh, etc until you can jump over to I-90 which will take you right into Sioux Falls. Sure beats the turnpike.

[elchilero53]

Originally Posted by markb422

If you have a little extra time, why not head up through Michigan, over the bridge, through the UP. Take US-2, 35, 41 to follow along Lake Michigan to Green Bay, Appleton, OshKosh, etc until you can jump over to I-90 which will take you right into Sioux Falls. Sure beats the turnpike.

Not to mention it's A LOT more scenic, too!

[PodGeek]

If you're vaccinated Canada reopens August 9...just an outside-the-box thought.

[Boscorelli]

My Mapsource settings kept routing me off of US24. I had to add a bunch of waypoints to route me back on to it.

[SailorSam20500]

Originally Posted by elchilero53

Not to mention it's A LOT more scenic, too!

X3. And a LOT of great places to visit. (And here I thought I'd be the only one to suggest this route)
We followed this basic route when we went to Mt. Rushmore.

[Boscorelli]

Thanks for the tip, Rick the Rocket! We took RT24 from Toledo to Peoria, using your tip about the screwy exchange in Longansport. What a nice ride! Granted, we drove most of it on a Sunday - there was little to no traffic. It was so much better than 4 lanes of stop and go commercial traffic around Chicago.
My Garmin GPS modified the last part of the route. We went on a NW track up into Iowa, (I74 > I80> I380 > RT218 > I35) into Minnesota, up to I90 which we followed right into Sioux Falls.
The original route had I80 > I29, but I hate that section on I29. My TT bounces like a porpoise on that cement highway! It gets my vote for worst highway in the US, but I digress.
Anyway, thanks again! It is my new favorite route to SD.

[Rick the Rocket]

Originally Posted by Boscorelli

Thanks for the tip, Rick the Rocket! We took RT24 from Toledo to Peoria, using your tip about the screwy exchange in Longansport. What a nice ride! Granted, we drove most of it on a Sunday - there was little to no traffic. It was so much better than 4 lanes of stop and go commercial traffic around Chicago.
My Garmin GPS modified the last part of the route. We went on a NW track up into Iowa, (I74 > I80> I380 > RT218 > I35) into Minnesota, up to I90 which we followed right into Sioux Falls.
The original route had I80 > I29, but I hate that section on I29. My TT bounces like a porpoise on that cement highway! It gets my vote for worst highway in the US, but I digress.
Anyway, thanks again! It is my new favorite route to SD.

I'm glad I could help, I swore off Chicago highways a long time ago. If we have visitors flying in to O'Hare they are on their own, if to Indy I'll pick them up in a heartbeat.