Driving from Chicago: I57 or I 65?

[MrsJackSparrow]

We usually take 57 to 24 to 75. What are the benefits of taking 65 to Nashville? Aside from not driving the entire length of Illinois, that is!

 

[FamilyGuy]

In my experience (and others too), I-57 tends to be a little less traveled. This would mean less traffic, less congestion, easier to navigate, less people to pass and/or passing you.

Yet somehow, I-65 seems like the preferred route for me; perhaps a little quicker, and overall I am just more comfortable with it. Depending on the time you are leaving and/or returning the traffic along the I-80 / I-94 corridor (NW indiana) can be horrendous.

Enjoy planning and drive safe!

 

[MrsJackSparrow]

We were actually contemplating taking 57 to 74 at Champaign/Urbana and taking that over to 65 as we are right a 57 onramp. Something about swinging back west on 57 is bothering me this year, although it has never in years past. Just looking for a change of scenery, maybe?

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I've traveled both ways and a third way too....US41/Indiana 63/Pennyrile Parkway through Indiana and Kentucky. All are reallly about the same travel time but it's more for variety.

I have advocated on here before taking the I-65 routing southbound because you get into Indiana pretty quickly and thus it's seems like you're making progress. Taking I-57 southbound means 5 hours after you've departed home you're still in Illinois and thus in your mind you're not getting anywhere. Then northbound you do the I-24/I-57 routing because you arrive into Illinois so quickly in the journey that it almost seems like you're home, even though you're not.

I really don't care for the I-65 routing due to the congestion around Hammond, Indianapolis and Louisville. Louisville to Nashville is also southwest bound, which is backtracking to some extent. Look at the IN63 routing I mentioned. When I've used it I take I-57 to Champaign and then I-74 to the Indiana state line and I think the first exit in Indiana is IN63 which you then take southbound through Terre Haute and Evansville. It's 4-lane divided with some traffic lights in those cities; the Pennyrile Parkway is no longer a toll road and hooks you up to I-65 at Hopkinsville, almost in Nashville. Pennyrile Parkway is Future I-69 and will be signed as such sometime in the next few years.

BobK/Orlando

 

[tinaluis]

We prefer I57 over I65. A LOT less congestion and traffic.

 

[MrMarv]

I-65 is substantially shorter for openers; Chicago to Nashville is approximately 465 miles, which can easily be done in under 9 hours, allowing for a stop for lunch and apotty break.

I just drove from Nashville to Indianapolis two weeks ago, and the scenery was gorgeous, with very few slowdowns for contruction zones.

 

[MrsJackSparrow]

We can do just outside Chicago (167th & Cicero) 57 to Nashville in about 7.5-8 hours, so taking 65 and getting there in under 9 is not much incentive. We have driven this route SO MANY times as DH has family in Nashville. Last year, we left the house at 4:23 a.m. and got to Tifton, GA at 8:35 p.m./EST. That's with bathroom and meal breaks. We are QUICK!!! Just wondering on scenery, points of interest, a change. Are there any other benefits to taking 65 other than shorter distance? Doesn't seem like the drive time takes that into account.

 

[NancyIL]

I live in Champaign, and my sister lives in Birmingham, Alabama. We always take I-57/I-24/I-65 to get to B'Ham. THEN we drive through Alabama to I-10 in the panhandle of Florida. As much as I hate going through Dothan, Alabama, I've been told that going on I-75 via Atlanta is much worse.

 

[JonS99]

I live in Champaign, and my sister lives in Birmingham, Alabama. We always take I-57/I-24/I-65 to get to B'Ham. THEN we drive through Alabama to I-10 in the panhandle of Florida. As much as I hate going through Dothan, Alabama, I've been told that going on I-75 via Atlanta is much worse.

We went that way once, never again, added about 3 hours and 100 miles to our trip, will chance it with I-75

 

[JonS99]

We were actually contemplating taking 57 to 74 at Champaign/Urbana and taking that over to 65 as we are right a 57 onramp. Something about swinging back west on 57 is bothering me this year, although it has never in years past. Just looking for a change of scenery, maybe?

I would suggest taking 57 to Kankakee, then Rts 17/114 east to Rt 41, then 41/83 south to I-74...