Taking a Drive to Chicago from Cary?

Are you planning a road trip from Cary, Illinois to Chicago, Illinois anytime soon? If so, there are a few things you'll want to know about the different driving routes and the time it takes to get there. In this post, we'll discuss some of the fastest and slowest routes, the distance of each route, and the time it takes to drive based on traffic patterns.

Route Options

There are a few different routes you can take from Cary to Chicago. The fastest and most direct route is to take I-90 East, which will take you right into downtown Chicago. However, there are a few other routes you can take that might be more scenic or less congested, depending on the time of day you're traveling.

One option is to take IL-31 South to IL-59 South and then get onto I-290 East, which will take you into Chicago. Another option is to take IL-22 East to I-94 East, which will also take you into the city. Depending on where you're coming from in Cary, one of these routes may be more convenient than the others.

Fastest and Slowest Routes

As mentioned earlier, I-90 East is the fastest and most direct route to get from Cary to Chicago. It's a distance of roughly 48 miles, and at low traffic times, it can take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour to drive. During peak traffic times, however, it can take up to two hours to make the same trip.

If you're looking to avoid some of the congestion on I-90, you might try taking one of the alternate routes mentioned earlier. It's worth noting, however, that these routes may be slower depending on the time of day you're traveling. For example, if you take IL-22 East to I-94 East, it's a distance of about 49 miles. During low traffic times, it might take you just over an hour to make this drive. However, during peak traffic hours, it could take up to two and a half hours.

Time of Day Matters

As you might have gathered from the previous section, the time of day you're traveling can have a big impact on how long it takes to get from Cary to Chicago. If you're able to avoid peak traffic hours, you'll likely have a much smoother and quicker drive. Ideally, you'd want to avoid rush hour altogether, which tends to be from 6:30-9:00 am and 3:30-6:30 pm on weekdays.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the distance and time it takes to drive from Cary to Chicago can vary greatly depending on the route you take and the time of day you're traveling. If you're in a hurry and don't mind a bit of traffic, taking I-90 East is probably your best bet. However, if you're looking for a less hectic drive or want to take a scenic route, one of the alternate options might be more your speed. Just make sure to plan ahead, check traffic patterns, and leave plenty of time to make your way to the Windy City.