Calling All My Illinois Neighbors.....

[Mrs. B]

Next Saturday, we will be flying out of Midway to Orlando. We live north of Milwaukee and will drive to and park at Midway. But I need some help from my neighbors in Illinois....last Saturday, I drove from Milwaukee to Loyola University via I-94 and the Edens. I became tapped in one of the worst traffic backups I have ever been in and ended up missing my appointment by 1.5 hours [even though I had built in an extra 45 minutes to my travel time]. I want to make certain that we are not heading into the same problem or, if we are, what are our alternatives. So here goes, accoridng to MapBlast, we would travel from I-94, Exit to I-55, Stevenson Expressway, exit to IL-50 at Cicero Avenue then on to Midway. Is this the same part of the interstate that I was on last week? If it, do you have any suggestions? If it is not, are there others areas of construction that I would be aware of? Also, again according to MapBlast, it should take us 2 hours and 3 minutes to travel the 126.21 miles...does this sound reasonable.
I greatly appreciate the assitance and, I now have an much increased respect for anyone who drives on the Edens at any time...that was awful!!!

Waving good-by as
we leave for WDW!!!

 

[mkymouse4ever]

We are south of chicago only 30 miles, and the way we go is the stevenson (I-55) to cicero ave, ( we prefer central ave) its 1 block south of cicero, midway is only about 2 to 3 miles down off of I-55. Unfortunately the traffic here is terrible! Our 30 miles to chicago can be 40 minutes in no traffic or 4 hours at rush hour (5:30am to 10:00am) & (4pm to 7:30pm), (chicago to joliet and visa versa). I would give serious thought to staying in one of the motels near midway, to make your time easier. also, (IMHO) do a lot of research on these motels, if you choose this option, The neighborhoods in & around northern Illinois, can be very interesting. You can pm me if you want some ideas. MKY

 

[Mrs. B]

mkymouse4ever...do you think that Saturday will/can have the same traffic as during the week? Also, our flight is scheduled to leave Midway at 3:50 PM, so if I accounted for the 2 hours before the flight that we need to arrive [1:50] and 3 hours to travel to Midway, I would be leaving Milwaukee no later than 11:00....given that I am a "nervous Nellie" anyway, we would most likely leave by 10:00 AM....how does that sound.....4 hours for a 2 hour and 3 minute trip?? I had thought about a motel, but we are flying out of Midway as the cost was lower....plus we are traveling with 4 teenagers [on of which is DS's GF]...we would need to have 2 rooms and there would go the savings. I appreciate your comments and suggestions.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

I think that would be tight, (sorry, real nervous nellie here) They have recently really re-done midway so it won't be a bad place to wait, if you have to. I am flying out of midway on dec 9th sunday flight at 7:45am ATA and from here am told midway only opens at 5am, but we are leaving at 4am 1 hour early than opening time, in sunday traffic, hopefully it will be just way to early and a lot of sitting around but the what if's really bother me. What if car problems?, etc.... It could really be a problem. Plus you said you are parking midway, near or the far lot? The far lot you have to take a shuttle to the airport, its next to the air field between central ave & cicero, way to far to hike. And the near one is priced outrages for any length of time. I would come early and sight see if its too early, but then again midway is not exactly downtown. mky

 

[Mrs. B]

mkymouse4ever....Thanks again. I may get out a map and see if there is any way to bypass Chicago all together. If I need to plan that much time, perhaps I would be better to go south from Milwaukee, west when I get into Illinois and then south again but away from Chicago and come into Midway from the west. Or, perhaps I should have just eaten the cost difference and flown out of Milwaukee??? We too are flying on ATA...have you [or anyone else out there] has any experience with ATA? Any problems??

 

[flyingcircus]

Mrs. B.-
I think the route you are taking will be the best. If you try to bypass Chicago, it will shoot you out too far west, and then you will still have to get back east to the city.

I-94 is a pain, but the best way from Milwaukee to Chicago. I am thinking that you probably had the big traffic problem when you went from 1-94 to Edens. Is that correct?? The way you are planning would totally bypass Edens. Once you get to the I-55 turnoff, you only have about 10 miles max to Midway.

I think you will have enough time. I used to work at O'Hare, and drove I-94 everyday from the north. I would STRONGLY recommend taking the route you planned, and not going west.

PS. Try mapquest.com- sometimes they have info on planned construction delays, and alternate routes!

 

[nuke]

Mrs. B,
I would suggest that you take the I-94 to the I-294 bypass. This will take you directly south past O'Hare airport. Take this to the I-55 and go towards Chicago or North on I-55. Exit at Cicero Ave South(right turn) and it will take you right to Midway.
The Edens has the potential to be terrible at ANY time of day, ANY day of the week. I think this is a better option.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

nuke is correct. You want to avoid the Edens XWay, taking I-94 into I-294 at O'Hare and continuing on south to I-55, east to either Central or Cicero. Central is 1 mile west of Cicero (5600 west vs. 4800 west) and somewhat less traveled. If you choose to go to Central, proceed south to 55th Street, and then east on 55th. Be careful. Archer Ave. cuts across Central one stop light before the light at 55th and can cause confusion. You will turn left onto 55th Street and continue along the northern edge of Midway for 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile. The daily fee parking will then be on your left. These lots are $9 per day. The Red and Blue are entered from 55th Street. There is a stoplight so it is easy to make the left turn into the parking lot. Try to park fairly close to one of the shuttle bus stops (good luck on this) and remember the lot color and bus stop number where you boarded the bus so you can catch the correct shuttle upon your return.

If you choose to stay on I-55 for the additional mile to Cicero, take Cicero south toward Midway, and then enter the Yellow lot located near the corner of Cicero and 55th Street. Same $9 per day parking fee and same suggestion about the bus stop number and color. Allow 15 to 30 minutes to get from the parking lot to the terminal, depending on the number of travelers at the time of day you are arriving at the airport. When we fly out on the first ATA flight of the day to Orlando, the shuttles are very crowded. I have no experience with arriving at the airport later in the day, so cannot help you there.

I do not think you will have any problem with your planned time schedule as to driving time. Midday Saturday traffic on I-294 and I-55 will move right along. There will be plenty of cars, not as many trucks as during the week, and it will be nothing at all like the Edens.

Have a safe and pleasant trip and visit to WDW.

Ralph

 

[Mrs. B]

So the concensus is that if I allow 4 hours for the 2 hour and 3 minute trip, I should be OK???
I want to thank EVERYONE for the advice on our trip to Midway!!! I appreciate the help. And, if the Eden's is like it was last Saturday, it is a wonder that it doesn't "drive" you Flat-Landers mad!!!

 

[flyingcircus]

OOPS-

I meant I-94 to 294!!!!! If you are not sure, just follow the signs towards O'Hare, but DON"T get off at the O'Hare exit, continue on 294 to I-55. At least you won't be going thru the city, until later.

Why do you think I moved to Colorado?????? LOL!!!

 

[drusba]

Do as said above. As you are coming south on 94 you will reach a point well north of Chicago where you can choose between taking 94 or the 294 bypass (a tollroad--$.40 per toll booth and you will have to go through 6 or 7 of them on the way to I 55) and take 294 south to I 55 and then I 55 towards "Chicago" (which will be NE from where 294 meets it) then to the Cicero exit South. The Edens (which is 94 north of Chicago) can be a nightmare any time and particularly now with construction going on. However, even with the 294 bypass, you should allow at least 4 hours and probably more to drive to airport, park and get to terminal for check in. In other words don't leave any later than 10.

 

[Bunchkin]

Do as others have suggested and go via 294!!! Much less traffic hassel!!
Still leave yourself ample time for driving....but via this route you may still have hair left in your head prior to departure!!

 

[Mrs. B]

Again, many, many thanks to everyone who has responded. Here is my plan....we will leave our home [north of Milwaukee] no later than 1000 [probably more like 0930]. When I reach Illnois, I will stop at the "Welcome Center" so that I can obtain a map and proceed according to the suggestions above!!! I will keep my finger crossed and take slow, deep breaths should we get caught in traffic so as not to have a panic attack. But first, I am going to call the airlines just to make certain that there have been no changes to our flight time....so many things, so little time...I can't wait to get to WDW and relax, relax, relax!!!!!!!!!!!

Wishing everyone a peaceful and thanks filled holiday.