Seeing as Chicago is one of the most populated and busiest cities in the United States, with more than two million residents and around thirty million visitors each year, driving during peak times in The Windy City can be very frustrating.
So, to survive rush hour and the busy traffic of Chicago, take a look at the following best and worst times to drive in the city.
The Worst Times to Drive in Chicago
Without a doubt, the worst time to drive in Chicago is during rush hour, which occurs between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. in the morning and between 4pm and 6pm in the late afternoon and early evening.
Chicago is notorious for traffic jams, especially during rush hour times.
It’s also known for continually having construction zones that can delay drivers, particularly during peak traffic times.
So, if you want to avoid being delayed in your journey, either allow additional time for your journey or plan a route that avoids rush hour traffic.
During rush hour, the most congested areas are around The Loop, in the central business district downtown, and along major city highways, such as the Dan Ryan Expressway. So, avoid those areas if possible.
If you do drive in busy areas during rush hour in the morning and/or late afternoon, you’re not only more likely to move slowly through traffic. You’ll also increase your chances of being involved in an accident.
That’s because drivers in slow-moving traffic can become frustrated and distracted, and when that happens, road accidents are more likely to occur.
You not only need to watch out for other car drivers during rush hour. You also need to watch out for motorcycles.
Though, whether you are a car driver or a motorcyclist, if you’re injured in an accident that isn’t your fault, you at least have the opportunity to pursue compensation to cover things like medical bills and lost earnings.
So, if you’re involved in a motorcycle accident in Chicago, you should contact a motorcycle accident attorney.
The Best Times to Drive in Chicago
In general, the best time to drive in Chicago is outside of rush hour times.
In the morning, that means driving before 6 a.m.
In the afternoon, roads can be very busy up until around 2.30 p.m., and again after 4 p.m., so for afternoon driving in Chicago, the best times are between 2.30 p.m. and 3.30 p.m.
Avoid Driving in Chicago During Sports Events
Chicago is a major sports city. When basketball, baseball, hockey, and football games take place in Chicago, the traffic significantly increases, especially near and around sports venues.
So, during sports seasons, avoid driving near Wrigley Field after the Chicago Cubs have played at home and around Wintrust Arena.
If you do drive in such areas before and after sporting events, you will almost be guaranteed to get stuck in traffic. In fact, such areas tend to be very busy all day long on game days.
Allow More Time for Your Journey During the Winter Months
If you can’t avoid driving on busy roads during rush hour or on game days, you should always allow more time for your journey. But you should also allow more time during the winter months.
That’s because the Chicago winters are harsh and driving conditions can be poor.
For instance, it’s common to have less visibility when it’s snowing and therefore you’ll need to drive more slowly.
During the winter in Chicago, you should allow at least an additional 30 minutes for your journey.
Avoid Chicago’s Busiest Roads
We have already mentioned some of the busiest roads and areas in Chicago during rush hour and sports events, but you should familiarize yourself with all of the city’s busiest roads in order to avoid rush hour traffic and heavy Chicago traffic in general.
When entering or exiting the city, it’s best to avoid Chicago’s busiest interstate highways, which are:
- I-90/I-94, which runs from Chicago Skyway junction to Dan Ryan Expressway.
- I-294, which runs from Irving Park Road to O’Hare Way.
- I-290, which runs from South Pulaski Road to South Sacramento Boulevard.
- I-80, which connects US41 to IL83.
In addition to avoiding busy interstates, you may also wish to avoid well-known busy streets in Chicago, such as:
- North Lakeshore Drive, especially between West Fullerton and North Cameron Drive.
- US 53, which runs from Palatine Road to IL62.
- East Congress Parkway, which goes around the Chicago River and South Michigan Avenue.
- North McCormick Boulevard, which runs from West Touhy Avenue to West Devon Avenue.
Final Thoughts
If you live in Chicago or travel to the city regularly, you should get to know the busiest roads and areas so that you can either avoid them during peak time or find an alternative route.
As long as you plan your journeys well, you can avoid getting caught up in the busyness and avoid getting stressed while in traffic.