Sussex to Indianapolis - Route Help

[Jeff]

well, I just have to face reality that if I'm going on Friday that we will have to pull out early to make sure we can get through without major problems.

[Sobottka]

jeff- i just did the drive from bloomington to milwaukee via rockford for the banquit. it took me about 4 hrs from home (decatur, 50 miles south of bloomington) driving 70mph.  bloomington to decatur is 45-50 min. so bloom. to sussex should be pretty close to 3-3 1/2 hrs. then bloomington to indy is about the same as decatur to indy, 2 1/2-3 hrs.  its a nice boring drive but no traffic

[dylanfan53]

The construction season is over.

I can't speak to 294 or north of the loop, other than two uneventful trips to Milwaukee in the last couple of months, but I drive the Ryan every day from Indiana (via the skyway) and it's been a breeze since they picked up construction.  I'd go straight through the city.  I generally avoid 294/94 at all costs, no matter what time of year.

One caveat, I hope you have an I-Pass for the skyway's right three I-Pass lanes.  The cash lanes (on the left) can be pretty backed up.  I don't know if you can avoid them though if you're pulling a trailer.

Also, it won't matter when you leave.  "Rush hour" starts about 2:30pm and lasts until 7:00pm.

[weggieman]

Face it, ther is no good or fast way through or around Chicago. The place is just a traffic hell zone.

I always go 294 to 80 to 65. I've tried everything else and this has been the best. Yeah sometimes you catch bad traffic but most of the time it moves along OK with only a few back ups. I-Pass is the way to go. If you don't have one get one. I use it with and without my trailer.

[Jeff]

Yeah, I'm with you Gordy...  I don't know who I was trying to kid.. So I'll leave early and do 294-80-65 like always with the Ipass.  if I'm stuck, at least the lanes are a few inches wider than 90/94..

[morepower]

I just came from Union Grove yesterday, on a friday and never again,  down 94 and I hit the very outer edge of "somewhere" still north of 294 and it took me 2 hr to get to the outer north edge of the down town chicago. It just sucked ! But,    once the traffic cleared right at the down town area it was clear to the toll and then the toll was very clear to 65.

Leave before 3pm  !

[Court Jester]

i'm heading to indy tonight and have to stop in milwak first so i'll be taking the 294 to 80 rout. i'll keep track of my time and the traffic and post up with how it is. and i'll be going through chicago around 5 or 6pm on a friday night with the other 22 foot trailer. so i'll let you know.

[Jeff]

Cool. thanks!

[dylanfan53]

UPDATE!  The skyway is back under construction at the toll plaza.  Eastbound cuts down to one lane after they take your $2.50.  45 min. backup last night.  Avoid it.

[Court Jester]

hey jeff. i made it to indy. 294 was cake. i got on 294 at 6:29pm. a lot of cars as normal but i skiped through the I-pass spots (trailer hides the plates on the truck:) ) no hold ups and no stops. stayed between 60 and 75mph the whole way through.
just my 2cents but that'll be your best way through hands down.

[Court Jester]

oh, and it took right at 4 hours and 45 minutes (give or take) from south milwaukee to the west side of indianapols.