Doing the Steelhead for the 1st time this weekend. Accounting for traffic, etc. how long can I expect the drive from the northern Chicago suburbs (Libertyville to be exact) to Benton Harbor, MI to be? Is I-94 the best route the whole way? Any suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks!
From Western burbs where I live it’s about 2 hours. With Friday traffic through the city, that could be ugly. 294 might be a better way to go. Rush hour? All bets are off - you should have left yesterday 
Not sure how long it takes you to get around Chicago, but the drive time from downtown (loop) to Benton Harbor is about 2 hours. Back in the 70’s, when I went to school in River Forest, I would start driving at 3:00 PM on Friday and be at my parent’s house for dinner in St. Joseph by 6:00 PM - Remember you lose an hour when you cross into Michigan.
Of course, with summer construction and Friday afternoon traffic, you could be in for a long ride. Z
Treat 94 like it is the black plauge. You will need to be on 94 for a while at the start and end of you trip. I would absolutley take the Skyway/Indiana Toll Road from Il till it rejoins with 94 again near Portage IN. 94 between Portage and the Il state line is a total mess and you will get hammered. From the state line to Benton Harbor should take you a little less than 1:30 depending on what time of day you are driving. I can make it to BH/ST Joe in about 45 Min from my house in Valparasio, IN.
Good luck
Tim
I guess I’m not all that familiar with these roads. Your suggestions would be to start out on 294 South and then take the Indiana/Skyway Toll east and then hook up again on I94 to Benton Harbor. What is the ‘number’ of the Indiana/Skyway toll? I’m from up north so all of these tollways, etc confuse me. Thanks!
DOn’t forget that you lose an hour when you go into the Eastern time zone.
AG
I guess I’m not all that familiar with these roads. Your suggestions would be to start out on 294 South and then take the Indiana/Skyway Toll east and then hook up again on I94 to Benton Harbor. What is the ‘number’ of the Indiana/Skyway toll? I’m from up north so all of these tollways, etc confuse me. Thanks!
It’s 80/90.
Yup Digger got it right 80/90 you will spend $3.45 (I think) each way. $2.50 in IL
Everything is under construction. The skyway and 80/94.
These are you options. They all will get you to I-94 around Portage IN which you will take to St. Joes.
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I-90/94 through the city which then you can take the skyway (90) to I-94 follow the signs to Detroit. This is the most direct way that hugs the lake.
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I-294 all the way then it merges with I-80 to become 80/94 to Indiana then you take I-94 again follow the signs for Detroit not the signs for Ohio which would be 80/90.
I have a lake house in Michigan City, In so I go up there at least twice a month and have taken both ways and they both suck. Be ready for long delays and if possible leave early on friday. Anytime after 1pm is going to suck. Good luck on both your travels and on the race. If you are staying until Sunday leave early on or else you will get stuck by all the people going back to the city. You live in Libertyville so you know how bad going North on I-294 is on Saturdays because of all the people traveling to WI and Great America so its the same but worse because of all the construction.
Thanks for all of your help!