How bad is traffic in Chicago at 2 A.M.?

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DMD3.

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DMD3.
I’ve ridden through several metro areas such as Atlanta, Jacksonville Fl, Orlando, and Cincinnati, and I have to say that between midnight and 5 A.M., the traffic actually isn’t bad at all. I was basically able to shoot right through with no congestion. This was passing through on the interstate; I’m not sure how it’d be going through downtown.

If driving through Chicago, how bad would it be? And would there be a difference between I-294 and I-90, which is closer to the skyline?

Again, I ever rode through, it would be on one of the interstates the entire way. And no stopping for gas, etc. I would stop and fill up before entering the city limit, and not stop again until we’ll out of the area. I like to think I wouldn’t be a crime-victim.
 
Good advice for pilots might be good for Chicago ... "you can always go around" ... :D
 
2am is gonna be fine unless construction is doing intermittent shutdowns for some reason. So just check google maps before you go.
 
Daleandee said:
Good advice for pilots might be good for Chicago ... "you can always go around" ... :D
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I always do. I go I-39 and just pay the toll. But I thought it’d be neat to drive through and see the skyline.
 
172andyou said:
Tifton has a crime rate of 54 per 1000
Chicago has a crime rate of 33 per 1000

So you'll be safer driving through Chicago than the city you have in your profile here on PoA.
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That’s just a random number. There is crime in Tifton, but nothing like Chicago. Also, if I’m the intended victim of a robbery, etc. and I shoot in self-defense, I wouldn’t face the same consequences in Tifton that I would in Chicago (not trying to hijack my own thread with this statement). :)
 
DMD3. said:
That’s just a random number. There is crime in Tifton, but nothing like Chicago. Also, if I’m the intended victim of a robbery, etc. and I shoot in self-defense, I wouldn’t face the same consequences in Tifton that I would in Chicago (not trying to hijack my own thread with this statement). :)
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Crime in Tifton, Georgia (GA): murders, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, thefts, auto thefts, arson, law enforcement employees, police officers, crime map (city-data.com)
Tifton Crime Rates and Statistics - NeighborhoodScout
Tifton, GA | Crime Statistics | Neighborhoods | Gangs (insideprison.com)
 
172andyou said:
Tifton has a crime rate of 54 per 1000
Chicago has a crime rate of 33 per 1000

So you'll be safer driving through Chicago than the city you have in your profile here on PoA.
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hahaha that is the most ridiculous thing I've ever read and perhaps the most useless statistic ever. Even if the crime rate is triple what Chicago is you are still 80 times more likely to be shot in Chicago vs Tifton because there are 12k people in Tifton vs 2.6 mil in Chicago!

Anyway to the OP, It shouldn't be bad. I usually pass through Chicago around midnight on my trek to OSH. Still surprisingly busy but you can maintain the speed limit all the way through.
 
294 usually runs better than 90 during rush hour. 90 is more scenic through the city. 294 takes you way west of seeing anything. Traffic wise at 2am it's really a push. I guess I'd suggest 90 in your instance.
 
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I looped around Chicago a couple of years ago, for the first time in several decades. I think we were on 294.

Whose idea was it to have the frequent cashless toll plazas switch from EZ Pass to iPass halfway around? EZ Pass we had, I’d never even heard of iPass.
 
GaryM said:
I looped around Chicago a couple of years ago, for the first time in several decades. I think we were on 294.

Whose idea was it to have the frequent cashless toll plazas switch from EZ Pass to iPass halfway around? EZ Pass we had, I’d never even heard of iPass.
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Ez pass is accepted. Illinois has to be special.
 
Do you really think you are going to be a crime victim driving on a major interstate through Chicago at night? How do you think that could possibly happen? Do you think there are gangs lined along the highway waiting to stop you and steal your car? This whole thread and question is ridiculous. The highway through Chicago is no different or any more dangerous than any other highway in the US.
 
kmacht said:
Do you really think you are going to be a crime victim driving on a major interstate through Chicago at night? How do you think that could possibly happen? Do you think there are gangs lined along the highway waiting to stop you and steal your car? This whole thread and question is ridiculous. The highway through Chicago is no different or any more dangerous than any other highway in the US.
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Because Fox News
 
MauleSkinner said:
No, it means there is less crime per capita in Chicago than Tifton.
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Which means... that one is less likely to be the victim of a crime. It's how statistics work. And why things like this are normalized by using "per capita" or "per 1000" when comparing them.
 
DMD3. said:
I’ve ridden through several metro areas such as Atlanta, Jacksonville Fl, Orlando, and Cincinnati, and I have to say that between midnight and 5 A.M., the traffic actually isn’t bad at all. I was basically able to shoot right through with no congestion. This was passing through on the interstate; I’m not sure how it’d be going through downtown.

If driving through Chicago, how bad would it be? And would there be a difference between I-294 and I-90, which is closer to the skyline?

Again, I ever rode through, it would be on one of the interstates the entire way. And no stopping for gas, etc. I would stop and fill up before entering the city limit, and not stop again until we’ll out of the area. I like to think I wouldn’t be a crime-victim.
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The criminals are all asleep by 2 AM so you are good to go ;)
 
Baked Potato said:
Which means... that one is less likely to be the victim of a crime. It's how statistics work. And why things like this are normalized by using "per capita" or "per 1000" when comparing them.
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No, the likelihood of “one” or “you” being the victim of a crime depends on far more than just that statistic. For starters, where in Chicago are you, vs where in Tifton are you? Makes a big difference.

statistics as broad as “in Chicago” are pretty much useless, regardless of how they’re normalized.
 
MauleSkinner said:
No, the likelihood of “one” or “you” being the victim of a crime depends on far more than just that statistic. For starters, where in Chicago are you, vs where in Tifton are you? Makes a big difference.

statistics as broad as “in Chicago” are pretty much useless, regardless of how they’re normalized.
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Don't pretend that if the statistics were reversed that you wouldn't be all over them as proof that Chitown is more dangerous than Tipton. But since they aren't, you're all "statistics are useless". :)
 
Baked Potato said:
Don't pretend that if the statistics were reversed that you wouldn't be all over them as proof that Chitown is more dangerous than Tipton. But since they aren't, you're all "statistics are useless". :)
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No, I’m all “statistics are useless” because statistics I see are generally created to support an opinion or political position that’s already held rather than created to present useful data.

plus the fact that this particular one is really useless.
 
kmacht said:
Do you really think you are going to be a crime victim driving on a major interstate through Chicago at night? How do you think that could possibly happen? Do you think there are gangs lined along the highway waiting to stop you and steal your car? This whole thread and question is ridiculous. The highway through Chicago is no different or any more dangerous than any other highway in the US.
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I don't see how the original question is ridiculous. Asking about traffic in a place you haven't been seems like a legitimate question. And if you don't know the area you won't know where the less safe areas are. So it makes sense to avoid getting off the highways altogether.
 
donjohnston said:
And if you don't know the area you won't know where the less safe areas are. So it makes sense to avoid getting off the highways altogether.
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I bet he doesn't know that vast majority of the areas he'll pass through between Tifton and wherever his destination is. But he singles out Chicago as being dangerous, despite having a lower crime rate than his home town. That's the part of the original question that is ridiculous. If he had just limited it to, "any concerns with traffic overnight in Chicago" people would have been fine with him.
 
172andyou said:
I bet he doesn't know that vast majority of the areas he'll pass through between Tifton and wherever his destination is. But he singles out Chicago as being dangerous, despite having a lower crime rate than his home town. That's the part of the original question that is ridiculous. If he had just limited it to, "any concerns with traffic overnight in Chicago" people would have been fine with him.
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It actually wasn't part of the original question. It was just an added statement perhaps foreseeing the "avoid the city" crowd like I might have opined. I avoid the city whenever I can. But I do work in the city on occasion.
 
Racerx said:
It actually wasn't part of the original question. It was just an added statement perhaps foreseeing the "avoid the city" crowd like I might have opined. I avoid the city whenever I can. But I do work in the city on occasion.
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"I like to think I wouldn’t be a crime-victim.", says the OP, when discussing avoiding stopping in Chicago. Despite the fact that he'd be safer in a random spot there than one than in his hometown (!), which is the amusing irony that we're pointing out.
 
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172andyou said:
I bet he doesn't know that vast majority of the areas he'll pass through between Tifton and wherever his destination is. But he singles out Chicago as being dangerous, despite having a lower crime rate than his home town. That's the part of the original question that is ridiculous. If he had just limited it to, "any concerns with traffic overnight in Chicago" people would have been fine with him.
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Except that traveling between GA and MN outside of the cities, most of the exits which have gas and food have them very close to the exit. They are well lit and relatively safe. Comparing stopping at the Love's at exit 120 on I-69 in Kentucky to pulling off of I-57 near Calumet Park at 2am? They ain't in the same universe of threat assessment.

And comparing the per capita crime rate for entire Chicago city to Tifton is just as invalid. A more accurate comparison would be an area near an interstate exit with the highest crime rate. Because the person in question doesn't know what areas to avoid.

So once again. The original question is valid. If you're going to get offended that someone not from Chicago has a belief that Chicago is dangerous, maybe you should be offended at the news media. Or the city government. Or the Chicago PD. Or the people committing the crimes.

 
DMD3. said:
If driving through Chicago, how bad would it be? And would there be a difference between I-294 and I-90, which is closer to the skyline?
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Not bad at all. I have gone back and forth from the east coast to ND a few times, a few times with a Penske and a car trailer. The way it worked out, I usually crossed Chicago late in the evening, never had a problem.
 
Baked Potato said:
"I like to think I wouldn’t be a crime-victim.", says the OP, when discussing avoiding stopping in Chicago. Despite the fact that he'd be safer in a random spot there than one than in his hometown (!), which is the amusing irony that we're pointing out.
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I don't know. Random stranger with out of town plates in an area they didnt know they shouldn't be...seems like this was in the news recently.

I was mainly responding to "the part of the original question that is ridiculous." As the whole crime thing wasn't actually part of the original question. The original question was if 90 or 294 had traffic at 2am and which would have a view of the skyline. Pretty sure I was the only one that answered the entirety of the actual question. Then he added he wouldn't be stopping as to avoid possibly ending up on the wrong side of town. It's a totally valid statement that was not part of the question. Frankly, without him making the statement I probably would have made a comment about it.
 
172andyou said:
I bet he doesn't know that vast majority of the areas he'll pass through between Tifton and wherever his destination is. But he singles out Chicago as being dangerous, despite having a lower crime rate than his home town. That's the part of the original question that is ridiculous. If he had just limited it to, "any concerns with traffic overnight in Chicago" people would have been fine with him.
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Baked Potato said:
There is less crime per capita in Chicago than Tifton. That means that you are less likely to be the victim of a crime in Chicago.
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kmacht said:
Do you really think you are going to be a crime victim driving on a major interstate through Chicago at night? How do you think that could possibly happen? Do you think there are gangs lined along the highway waiting to stop you and steal your car? This whole thread and question is ridiculous. The highway through Chicago is no different or any more dangerous than any other highway in the US.
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https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/loc...en-carjacking-on-dan-ryan-expressway/2972250/
 
I didn’t read most of these responses as I don’t know who has actually lived in and survived Chicago, but I’ll answer this in two parts:

1) at 2am, roads will be wide open. Any road you want to take. There sometimes is construction that happens only at night. They may close all but 1 lane for it. I don’t believe that exists currently but I know inbound Kennedy (read: I 90 east from city limit to downtown) is scheduled for some construction soon. Apparently it’s going to be a nightmare which is awesome because that’s my commute.

2) If it were me, I’d avoid 90 between Gary and downtown. We’re in a period of higher crime and law of large numbers eventually plays out. This is coming from someone who spent time in São Paulo… so I’m no stranger to these type of cities. If you were to go via 90, don’t leave the highway until you are out of town. As far as a view, it’s alright but it doesn’t beat flying the shore line. The best view from the road is actually on the Skyway bridge inbound to Chicago.

As far as fuel goes, I can’t even think of any stations near the highway, let alone whether it’s a good idea. If you want to spent an extra $1.50 a gallon, sure you can fill up downtown. At least I 294 has fuel stations.
 
I’d wager if not stopping or venturing off the interstate it’s a mute point. But statistical data is also in my opinion useless. In one of the closer rural towns to my home there are two small town bars that share a common parking lot. If you are a stranger to the area and park in the lot and go into the back door entrance of the one on the east you’d probably have a good evening, make some new friends, and have a jovial time. If you parked in the same lot and walked into the back door to the north within a an hour you’d probably be in a heated argument for no reason, and if you stayed another 45 minutes be in a physical fight. Litterly 150ft apart, and share a parking lot, gotta be observant of your surroundings more than statistics, locals commingle and are nice to each other in the lot, but totally different atmospheres inside. (And before anybody speculates or infers any reason for the difference, it’s a rural iowa area so no difference in race, socioeconomic status, or any gang affiliation) just klick groups and people who have sat to long in their own echo chambers.
 
Highways start to die down around 9/10pm, not empty but you can drive the speed limit.

Stay away from South Chicago. You won’t have any issues in North Chicago.

At 2am, all of the criminals are high on weed so you’ll be fine. The carjackings usually happen in daylight.
 
Gas anywhere in Cook county and especially within the city is going to be $$$. I don't drive through there frequently enough to be an expert on the traffic patterns but I wouldn't expect 2am to be that busy. I also doubt anyone is going to be shooting at you cruising down the interstate. Just like any other major city, the Chicago metro area has places that are pretty darn safe and places that are sketchy as all get out.
 
cowman said:
Gas anywhere in Cook county and especially within the city is going to be $$$. I don't drive through there frequently enough to be an expert on the traffic patterns but I wouldn't expect 2am to be that busy. I also doubt anyone is going to be shooting at you cruising down the interstate. Just like any other major city, the Chicago metro area has places that are pretty darn safe and places that are sketchy as all get out.
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Chicago recently removed or reduced the fuel tax so the prices compare with nearby areas typically. It used to be considerably higher, I would always fuel up at the airport and typically save a buck a gallon.

Don’t be silly, of course you won’t be shot at. Have you seen the prices of bullets?

However, you can expect a brick thrown thru your windshield. Those are free to throw with the same amount of fun.
 
No problem at 10 P.M- 4:00 A.M or so. I’d just cut right through the ‘skyline’, maybe I-294 if you want to go around much of the heart of downtown. If you don’t have an I-pass, check online later & pay tolls. Another option is a few strips of black electrical tape, for the plate.

A few years ago I was in I-294 about 10 miles North of KORD & hit some angle iron on the road. I got an instant blowout, wheel damage too. I almost had two taken out, boxed in. I pulled over at a wider spot near an off ramp, surmising the damage. I started the tire change process when a vehicle pulled over. Of course I was on high alert, 0600 A.M. or so. The guy said he was a trucker by trade, just stopped to help. He had a better Jack than my flimsy OEM one. He stayed to help, wouldn’t even take the $30 I offered him. He was more just asking me to pay it forward, pass it on. Even near Chicago not everyone wants to knife you.

7EAC04A4-7479-4045-9F4B-24BA7D9D507C.jpeg
 
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