Driving in Chicago can be tough. Between stop-and-go traffic, commuters cutting you off, and potholes that could flip your car, requires a lot of patience.
However, if you’re not overly concerned with a rush-hour or don’t mind putting up with one of the crowded roads of any major U.S. city, there are some times of day that can make your drive through Chicago much more bearable.
In essence, the best time to drive through Chicago is Thursday between 10 a.m. and noon, but it may be prudent for those traveling from out-of-state to avoid this time period altogether, as the other options are just as good.
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What time is traffic worst in Chicago?
Traffic in Chicago is typically congested any time of day. Peak hours are generally considered to be between 7–9 a.m. and 5–7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Traffic on the weekends is often lighter than traffic on weekdays. The worst congestion can typically be found on the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) during the weekday evening rush hour.
What time of day is there the least traffic in Chicago?
Morning and early afternoon freeways see lighter traffic than the evening and late-night freeway time periods. Between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. on weekdays, traffic is lightest on the freeways and heaviest from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
On neighborhood streets, rush-hour parking regulations help create a smoother flow of traffic during peak times. This regulation prohibits cars from being parked between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on side streets one block outside of Central Business Districts.
What is the busiest traffic day of the week?
The busiest traffic day of the week would be Monday because more people drive to and from work on Mondays than any other day of the week.
Monday has been named “the worst driving day” for multiple reasons; it’s when there are the most accidents, travel times are longer, and more gas is burned.
How hard is it to drive through Chicago?
Driving through Chicago can be very difficult, especially during rush hour. At its widest point, the highway has up to 12 lanes of traffic; if there are accidents or stalls on one side, traffic backs up for miles.
This makes commutes (both in and out of the city) much longer than they need to be. Rush hour traffic can make getting into or out of Chicago difficult, but this is often alleviated with the help of a GPS system.
As one of the largest cities in North America, Chicago makes it hard for people to travel through because there are so many people trying to head in the same direction at once.
Does Chicago have the worst traffic?
Chicago, Illinois, is a densely populated city, with more than 8.7 million residents in the city proper. To help move people around the metropolitan area, there are nearly 2 million vehicles on Chicago roads every day.
That can lead to some congested roadways and lengthy commutes. In fact, according to traffic data reporting service Inrix, Chicago has the third-most congested traffic in the USA.
How long does it take to get through Chicago in rush hour?
Rush hour traffic conditions in the city of Chicago can vary greatly depending on what highway you are on. There is also a vast difference in the number of lanes available for incoming and outgoing traffic, which can affect how long it takes to go from one side of the city to the other.
The interstate highways in and near Chicago can become heavily congested between 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on weekdays. It is not uncommon for drivers to sit through two or three cycles of traffic lights, especially when there is an accident or road work along the route.
It takes approximately 2 hours to get from one end of the city to another on a weekday afternoon.
How can I avoid traffic in Chicago?
Here are five tips on how to avoid traffic in Chicago:
1. Get a subscription with a ride-share company.
Use a ride-share service such as Lyft or Uber when going to and from work every day. Not only will this help you avoid driving in bad weather, but it can also save you the trouble of driving in traffic.
2. Try using public transportation instead of driving.
If you can stand commuting for longer, then get on board with riding the train or bus to get around town. Not only will this get you places faster than other forms of transport, but it is also much cheaper than owning a car and paying for gas every month.
3. Try not to drive when it is peak rush hour time in Chicago.
The less busy your commute, the better off you will be when driving to work or school every day. If you can take a different road or come to work an hour earlier or later than usual, then do so in order to reduce the number of cars on the road.
4. Be smart about where you park your car in Chicago.
If you have a parking spot at work, then great! Try not to drive around looking for a spot if it is peak time in Chicago – it may take longer than usual and lead to more time consumed. Instead, try parking in a lot at night and walking to work in the morning if you live close enough.
Take breaks when driving in Chicago. If you are stuck in traffic or behind many cars on the road, take 5 minutes every hour to stretch your legs and eat lunch instead of waiting until later. This can help save you time.
Bottom line
If you’re looking for the best time to drive through Chicago, we hope this post has been helpful. We’ve outlined the rush hours and provided some tips on how to avoid traffic. Keep in mind that these times may vary depending on the day of the week or special events taking place in the city. As always, be sure to consult a map and plan your route ahead of time.
