This is how I would go around Chi-town. I drive enough around there that I know the surface streets are as slow as taffy and there are probably over a thousand stoplights between the south side and the north side.

I-355 is almost new, varies between 6 and 8 lanes, and because it's a toll road, most semis avoid it. Speed limit is 55 and as long as you aren't on it at or near rush hour, I wouldn't hesitate at all to drive 50 mph on it. No issues with O'Hare traffic.

 

Rt 47 was the original route we were taking south in '12. We ran into a detour and it took us east into Chicago. That was over a year ago, I'm sure the detour is gone now? I'd hope it would surely be gone by the end of this summer. I personally hate driving through the Chicago area even with my daily driver with big V8 and auto transmission but to get anywhere east from here you have to go through that area.

 

Ross rt 47 or 59 are also good straight roads and keeps us off interstates

 

Ross you would get killed driving 50 mph on 355! I drive it all the time and people drive it at 75-95mph ,No way would I drive on it at that speed . Death on a stick mat ! Death on a stick!

 

Last time I went up there (in my DD), I thought I'd be smart and take 47 north from I-55 (Dwight). I used to take 47 home from college in Champaign. It is still 2-lane almost all the way, and was jam-packed 25 mph traffic, all the way north to IL 56. I could have walked there faster. At least one stoplight every 1/2-mile. 59 is a little better. That area is where all the growth is occurring.

Bob, how you could have had a construction detour on 47 and ended up in Chicago is baffling, that's like a 20-mile eastern detour?? Same navigator as in KY?!

I would much rather be cruising along at a nice calm 50 mph on the toll road, with no stoplights. Chris, they drive that way at rush hour, but during the day it's not that way.

 

This is what concerns me the most about taking my F2 on a long haul. I can handle mechanical issues but it ain't much fun always having impatient folks pulling stupid maneuvers to either pass you or get you to move faster.

The funny thing is that somebody - somehow managed to drive my truck from California to Maine. It was built at the Long Beach plant. Perhaps that journey was done way back in the 50's or early 60's when cars and typical highway speeds were 50 mph tops. Who knows?

Travelling in a convoy of FTE'ers might work though. Strength in numbers.

.

 

I'm not totally sure if that was the route we took, I thought it was. I can't remember what I had for breakfast this morning, little alone remembering something from over a year ago. Yeah, same navigator. I think if there was a 400 foot mountain in IL she would have gotten me on top of it. I brought her along for eye candy for the long trip


I know exactly what you're talking about. I don't remember having much trouble with impatient drivers on the way there and back. We went through a couple of congested college towns with tight streets with weird angles during what seemed like rush hour traffic. I have more trouble in my home town and especially in Milwaukee. I don't take my F-2 into the heart of Milwaukee, the drivers are getting really nutty there, almost as bad as Chicago

BTW, I wouldn't encourage anyone to do what I did unless you really feel comfortable doing it. I figured if I broke down I'd have the truck towed to the nearest storage unit, rent a car and go back to pick the truck up later.

 

I think the boys out east should have a meet called Mason–Dixon Truckfest !
Some where in pennsylvania

 

I think in Eerie hosted by an eccentric long time member of FTE

 

I think Ty's idea for a plan "B" sounds cool!

Many years ago Sharon and I made the trip to the dells show. We took the long way around the west side of Chicago. It was an uneventful road trip and would not give a second thought about doing that route again, but a road trip that included a boat ride across a great lake just sound cool to me.

brian...

 

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The skyline of Chicago is better then hours of water. Plus a lot cheaper

 

Edith's too long for that ferry.

I know that many of us don't like the heavy traffic and stop and go with these old trucks, especially for us double clutching, but everything I have ever seen about Lake Shore Drive looks really inviting. I've driven semi's, tour buses and my Harley in, out and through Chicago so I am not really intimidated, but if someone in that area could suggest a time frame (hopefully in daylight) when the traffic is less congested it would be a real cool trip.

 

Are you guys going to try and make it up to bobj's

 

We checked into going on the ferry in '12 but decided to go the land route. The cost was either about the same or more and time wise there wouldn't be any savings. Also to make the ferry we'd have to be in Milwaukee at, I think, 6 in the morning. We would have had to leave our house at 4 just to make sure we got down to the dock and have time to check in and park our truck. Time table wise it was too chancy, I wanted to leave as early as possible but there is always something that pops up. I worked late the night before making sure my business and employees were set up so I could be gone for 5 days. I also had a few last minute things to do to the F-2 before we left.

 

One thing to consider about LSD (lake shore dr) is large trucks are NOT allowed. Pickups can run it but no licensed trucks above that and I am pretty sure no trailers allowed. The skyway drive is good but you just about must be on interstate to get to it IN and off on LSD or the Death Ryan expressway -- not a road or area you want an old ford on or any breakdown. Go west further south before you do that
You may want to check on antique lic vehicles for LSD