Car horns make up the majority of the natural soundtrack of a city. In such a populated area, there’s always someone somewhere waiting in traffic. Over time, they may become restless and more vocal with their vehicle’s horn.
Chicago Traffic by Time of Day
The city of Chicago is no exception. Having the third most populous city in the United States, there tends to be traffic, and lots of it sometimes. Residents commuting to work from a surrounding suburb report an average of 48 minutes traveling from home to their workplace.
Chicago traffic is no joke as it’s known to make up more than $6 billion in fuel and wasted time on the work clock. With epidemic statistics such as that, drivers are mindful of their commute times and have a general idea of when traffic patterns tend to increase or decrease. For Chicago drivers, it’s imperative to know. So, here’s a guide with everything you need to know about traffic patterns in the Chicagoland area.
First, let’s talk about Chicago. The city’s population is enormous because businesses worldwide shop along the lakeshore. Industries such as tech, finance, telecommunications, media, and commerce flourish in the Loop and the surrounding communities. The Chicago O’Hare International Airport is the busiest airport in the world, with thousands of travelers passing through daily. You can only imagine the traffic patterns that may cause. So, if you’re looking to drive around Chicago and the Chicagoland area, it helps to know the following.
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What are the rules of the road in Chicago?
Before diving into the traffic fluctuations of Chicago, let’s get acquainted with the road rules in the Windy City. For the most part, driving in Chicago is consistent with the common traffic laws and practices around the nation. However, specific traffic regulations should always be considered when driving in Chicago.
Rules of the road that are enforced are:
- Cell phone usage - Mobile device usage behind the wheel is discussed among traffic enforcers. Chicago doesn’t allow cell phone use while behind the wheel. Hands-free devices are permitted, however.
- Work zones - When work is done on the road, the lane is typically closed. So, all drivers would be required to merge lanes when they can. Speed is also significantly reduced.
- Emergency vehicle - Emergency vehicles like police cars, fire trucks, or ambulances require nearby drivers to pull over to the side of the road for it to pass. There is no need to worry about holding up traffic; everyone does it.
- Driving in the winter - Every driver in Chicago gives themselves 30 extra minutes on their commutes during the winter because the roads can be icy, the skies are dark, or the air is foggy. This allows them to take extra time as your car’s defroster and heat kick in.
- Gameday - One of the major attractions of Chicago is the sports teams. The whole neighborhood starts hopping whenever the Cubs, Bulls, or Bears play. This traffic can easily overflow onto the expressway, affecting commute times.
When is Rush Hour in Chicago?
Traffic jams are a regular occurrence in expressways. The only thing you can do is plan and time your commute just right.
Morning Rush Hour
You’ll be commuting to work during the morning anytime between 6 am and 8 am. This is the time when traffic is the most blocked, with everyone trying to get to work.
Evening Rush Hour
By the end of the workday, from 4 pm to 6 pm, the traffic picks up again, if not more intensely. These times are what’s known as rush hour. A 30-minute commute to the suburbs from the city can quickly turn into an hour-long excursion. It helps to be wary of these times.
Of course, there are the express lanes. The city switches it up throughout the day to compensate for rush hour traffic. During the morning hours, the express lanes open to go towards the city. The express lanes are switched in the afternoon, so they head towards the suburbs where most traffic is going.
Despite harsh winter conditions in the cold months, summer is the season where traffic moves at an all-time slow with the number of drivers on the road. While you may not be able to avoid rush hour all the time, you can be a safe and patient driver.
How bad is the traffic in Chicago?
When the average Chicagoland area driver checks the traffic report on their phone before work, they mostly look at what it looks like on the Illinois expressways north and south of the city. The exact time of the commute depends on what neighborhood they live in.
For example, a driver living in Lincoln Park will have a shorter commute than a driver from Evanston. Someone living in the city would have an easier time getting around since the streets are laid out like a grid going all directions of a compass.
What are the Busiest Interstates in Chicago?
As we go over Chicagoland’s busiest streets and expressways, you begin to see a pattern. You can plan the most time-effective commute to and from work in the city. It’s all about managing your time and avoiding waiting in congestion.
The busiest interstates in Chicago include:
- I-90/I-94 - Everyone uses the Dan Ryan expressway to get to the city from the suburbs south of the city. I-90 goes all the way to the Chicago Skyway junction. North of the city, I-90 extends from Clybourn to West Division Street. Traffic is only slightly quicker there. The I-90 is also used as a passage for those passing through Chicago.
- I-290 - South Pulaski Road to South Sacramento Boulevard connects the city to suburbs like Schaumberg or Naperville. Commutes from there are around 45 to 60 minutes with traffic.
- I-294 - The 294 extends from Irving Park Road to O’Hare Way. With the busiest airport in the world, this interstate is often crowded and slow.
- I-80 - This interstate refers to the commute people from suburbs like Orland Park take. It connects directly to US41.
What are the least busy interstates in Chicago?
The above interstates are so congested with traffic because the areas they connect are suburban routes with significantly less population. Drivers usually come to these sections after passing through a traffic-jammed interstate. There’s also a noticeable decrease in tolls.
The least busy sections of the interstate are:
- Chicago Skyway - Heading south beyond the city on I-90 will take you to the Chicago Skyway stretching to Indiana. Despite how impressive the bridge is, traffic is usually passive.
- I-355 - This interstate goes through the west and south suburbs, moving from New Lenox to Itasca.
- I-55 - Interstate 55 is a cross-country road stretching from Louisiana to Chicago. It’s not a popular route for rush hour traffic. Nearby is I-57, which runs significantly less in length and traffic.
- I-88 - Interstate 88 runs westward towards Naperville. People commuting to and from there to Chicago may use it as a detour during rush hour traffic.
What Are The Busiest Roads in Chicago?
Getting into the city doesn’t mean you’re out of the thick yet. Traffic congestion is standard on some of Chicago’s busiest streets. Much like the expressways and interstates, there are certain times when traffic spikes.
Here are some of the most used streets in the city:
- North Lakeshore Drive/ US 41 - When the expressways are crowded during rush hour, most drivers heading to the north suburbs take the scenic detour through Lakeshore Drive, which runs from West Fullerton to North Cameron Drive.
- North McCormick Boulevard - This road runs from Roger’s Park to Park Ridge. The reason for the influx of traffic here is the same as Lakeshore Drive. Drivers often use it as a detour sign.
- US 53 - Illinois 53 runs from Long Grove to Gardner through Schaumberg, Naperville, and Joliet. Traffic tends to pick up around the times when commuters are going to and from the city.
- East Congress Parkway - This street is in the heart of Chicago around the River and South Michigan Avenue. Therefore, it’s busy all hours of the day. At that point, most people bike or walk around there.
What is the traffic like in Downtown Chicago?
The busiest streets in Chicago are the ones over the River. This area is around the Magnificent Mile and north of the Loop. While traffic speed may vary depending on the time of day, there are always drivers on the road.
Streets that see 24-hour traffic are North Lake Shore Drive, East Congress Parkway, North Michigan Avenue, West North Avenue, North Western Avenue, North Ashland Avenue, and West Roosevelt Road. There may be significant spikes in traffic during the morning and evening rushes.
What else is there to consider about traffic when driving in Chicagoland?
By now, you have a general knowledge of Chicago’s traffic patterns and what expressways and streets tend to be the busiest. A couple more things to be aware of is that the evening rush hour during the pm hours tends to be more congested.
Moreover, more drivers are seen on the road on Thursdays and Fridays than on any other day of the week. Traffic data indicates that people do more than commute to and from work on those days.
Time is difficult to compensate for in Chicago traffic. Drivers who take Lake Shore Drive instead of the crowded expressway save little to no time when switching routes. It helps to find and stick to the shortest route possible when driving to the city. Trying to find a detour can lead to running into more traffic. Being aware of traffic conditions is all part of being a safe driver.
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