Help! Chicago traffic experts!

[yoopermom]

We're going to be in SE WI on the 4th of July (1/2 an hour from the border, right on 94). At 11 am (CST) on the 5th of July (a Sunday), DS has to be at MSU in East Lansing to start an engineering camp. My original thought was to get up at 5 am and drive it, since it will be a Sunday and "day after a holiday" so will be relatively quiet trafffic-wise, but he's worried that we won't make it, and wants to go over the evening of the 4th and get a hotel. That makes me nervous about driving the night of the holiday when there will have been lots of partying going on and who knows what kinds of idiots on the road. I've done this trip hundreds of times over the years, and it always seems to go perfectly well, or be a total nightmare And would I be better off going around or through? (I have an IPass, and tend to prefer the "around" route.)

Thanks for your opinions!
Terri
PS I know lower MI is on EST, but since we're on CST, I mentioned it that way above. About a 5 hour drive, if things go well...

 

[happywanderer2]

I'd go early, early on Sunday the 5th. I've driven through Chicago on Sunday and it was fine. The only problem I had was construction on I-94 at the border. Check AAA to see what kind of construction might be around and plan accordingly.

 

[JR6ooo4]

5 hour drive leaving at 5am getting might not get you there at 10 am. if this is an important meeting get there the night before so he is not groggy from the drive. at any given point on chicago expressways you can hit a wall of traffic due to an accident or construction (though they usually clean up construction during holiday weekends). It can cause an hour delay easily. Just last weekend while driving from chicago to SE wisco the express lane in the construction area was completely stopped. I saw people out of their cars and standing on the expressway talking with people from other cars around them.


academically I would get the room. less stress on the boy. But I would plan to get there around dusk or before to:
1) make sure you have/get a room
2) get off the roads before dark in case there is a problem mechanically or with drunkards.

there are always drunkards, so drive safely.

Mikeeee

 

[OhMari]

I would do the early morning.
People start going home from cottages around 10:00 a.m.
If you have the IPass I would go around Chicago, but we pull thru downtown Chicago with our 48ft trailer, because the tolls are really expensive.
The will be construction, but no one will be working because of the holiday.

 

[Evil Genius]

Leaving at 5am would be cutting it pretty close. I-94 is under major construction and even though it is a holiday weekend, it might still be a problem. I would either change your 4th of July plans or travel early evening and get a room.

 

[yoopermom]

Thanks everyone. I had to chuckle about not stressing out DS since we moved up north when he was just a baby, so has done long car rides for years. I'll be lucky if he wakes up long enough to get in the car, and he'll be sound asleep long before we hit the WI/IL border! I do have another driver coming with me, who is a real a.m. person (always up before 5), so maybe we'll leave by 4 and she can drive first . I wouldn't mind leaving the night before, but would need a very cheap but safe hotel somewhere barely into MI.

Lots to think about!
Terri

 

[freckles and boo]

I would leave the night before. Sad to say, but some people are just finishing their holiday partying at four am so there is no guarantee the drunks will all be in bed. Plus, there is a lot of construction on 80/94 in Indiana. Safe travels, whatever you decide.

 

[SAHDad]

Just so you know - there is also a lot of construction along 94 here in Michigan as well.