  Jerome81 Member Username: Jerome81 Post Number: 1099 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 205.153.103.15 |
Used windows live beta maps today and for giggles typed in driving directions from Chicago to Detroit (a drive I used to make fairly frequently). They recommended the usual Skyway to I94 route, but interestingly when you get to Ann Arbor, they instruct you to take M14 and then catch I96 into the city. I looked more at the map, and it does actually appear that it might be a "straighter" route into town. Never really paid close attention, but if you stay on I94 it sorta heads south and wraps around Ann Arbor and then heads diagonally into Detroit. M14 to I96 is almost a straight line from the M14/I94 junction. So, my question is, what is indeed the quicker way to go? Miles wise. Traffic wise. I know sometimes these maps programs are totally off (like the ones that say you should take the Indiana toll road to I69 and take that north and then join I94.....uh, yeah right), but this one seems like it might make sense. However, maybe M14 traffic and I96 traffic means I94 is still the better bet most of the time. May have to try it sometime and see how it goes. One other Detroit quirk I find funny is that if you come from Lansing, the quickest route is I96 to I696 to the Lodge, NOT to stay on I96. Seems odd they did it that way. You'd think you'd stay on the main connector to get between two cities the fastest (sorta like you'd think you'd just take I94 all the way from Chicago). Just curious what you have to say about it. | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 1384 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 69.242.223.42 |
Gee, a no-brainer... It depends where you live in Metro Detroit. Hint: Without a map, use the odometer reading for each way. | ||
Machoken Member Username: Machoken Post Number: 1471 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 207.145.38.104 |
Depends on: Time of day Time of year Destination in city/region Would you take the 101 or the 280 to get to San Jose? | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 2770 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.3.104 |
It really doesn't matter! The difference time wise is less than 5 minutes. The biggest hurdle probably will be construction sites. Are they done with I-96? Is I-94 still a construction site near the Airport? Those are really the major concerns. | ||
Jerome81 Member Username: Jerome81 Post Number: 1100 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 205.153.103.15 |
101 except from about 8-9am and 5-7pm. I'm asking downtown to downtown. | ||
Machoken Member Username: Machoken Post Number: 1472 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 207.145.38.104 |
Assuming no construction, M14/I96 is smooth sailing more reliably than I94. | ||
Machoken Member Username: Machoken Post Number: 1473 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 207.145.38.104 |
How do your neighbors in Mountain View feel about you using windows live beta maps? | ||
Zephyrprocess Member Username: Zephyrprocess Post Number: 10 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 146.9.16.41 |
re: "Assuming no construction, M14/I96 is smooth sailing more reliably than I94." Quite true--but right now, M-14 is one lane in both directions from Gottfredson to I-275 | ||
Viziondetroit Member Username: Viziondetroit Post Number: 747 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 65.42.23.2 |
M-14 to 96 does shave time and is a more direct route... I just traveled that route from Gary, IN | ||
Bussey Member Username: Bussey Post Number: 216 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 206.208.94.60 |
Google Maps just told me to take I-75 south to the Ohio Turnpike in Too Lee Do and then that all the way to Chicago. | ||
Burnsie Member Username: Burnsie Post Number: 614 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 35.12.24.130 |
When originally planned, I-96 was supposed to follow Grand River from Farmington all the way into downtown. See michiganhighways.org | ||
Goat Member Username: Goat Post Number: 8774 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 70.53.97.7 |
I-94 is under heavy contruction outside of Chicago's city limits. Waits of up to 1 1/2 hours + are typical. | ||
3rdworldcity Member Username: 3rdworldcity Post Number: 286 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 69.212.35.13 |
M-14: Seven miles of single lane (construction)both directions. Some very long backups depending on the time of day. To get the the Skyway, you'll probably have to take the Dan Ryan/I-94; if you live there you know its torn up for 2 years w/ only 2 lanes open each way. A couple of weeks ago I took the SB service drive (better than most Detroit expressways) for 7 miles and beat the commuter train. I-94 between the 56 and 66 mile markers is down to 1 lane WB and 2 lanes EB. Horrendous waits WB depending on the time of day. Go the the MDOT site and get all lane closures statewide; I don't have the site handy but Google MI Dept of Trans. Good luck. | ||
Ocd1963 Member Username: Ocd1963 Post Number: 3 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 68.42.162.214 |
"I know sometimes these maps programs are totally off (like the ones that say you should take the Indiana toll road to I69 and take that north and then join I94.....uh, yeah right" All it takes is one trip through the NW Indiana- SW Michigan snow belt and you will be on your knees begging for the dry pavement on the Hillbilly Highway (Indiana Toll Road). Of course, your starting/ending locale in Metro D will determine your route. Because we live at 144 Mile Road we use M-59 straight west to I-96 to I-69 to I-94 at Battle Creek. It is about 4 miles longer but the traffic is generally 20-40% lighter thereby reducing our typical overall travel time by 30-40 minutes. And every minute is a blessing when trying to leave Grandma's house in the far NW Chicago suburbs. | ||
Pam Member Username: Pam Post Number: 447 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 4.229.45.234 |
You could give the ferry a try. http://www.lake-express.com/ | ||
Detroitplanner Member Username: Detroitplanner Post Number: 169 Registered: 04-2006 Posted From: 205.188.116.137 |
From the warrendale perspective, if you are N of Ford Rd it makes more sense to take M-14 to I-96, but if you are around US-12, you might be better taking I-94. I know I've done both. Even jumped on I-94 before off of Greenfield, that seemed to make that trip a little more bearable. The Bottom Line? It all depends on your origins and destinations in Detroit or Chicago. If you were on the S Side, they may just put you onto I-94 or even I-80 directly from your begining point. | ||
Kilgore_south Member Username: Kilgore_south Post Number: 166 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 24.176.20.117 |
I drive this route a LOT in an 18-wheeler. Strictly mile-wise, the I-94 route is about one mile shorter than the M-14/Jeffries route. So all in all it doesn't make much difference. This is assuming you are starting on 94 west of AA and ending up in downtown Detroit. Of course lately I've been using I-94 pretty much all the time cuz of the afformentioned clusterfuck roadwork on M-14. (Message edited by Kilgore_South on September 09, 2006) | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 4310 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 71.236.229.212 |
I-94 in Western Michigan and again on the Indiana stretch and into Chicago is one nightmare, even when jjaba did it at 2 am. You are sitting in traffic with smoking choking trucks in the Region. The Dan Ryan, foggetaboutit. It could be that the Indiana Toll Road is a better option, after South from Detroit to Toledo. I-94 Detroit to Chicago is basically one big parking lot. M-14, the old route of US 14, Plymouth Road, would take you straight to Grand River and Plymouth Rd., Detroit 4, Michigan. Keep the faith. jjaba, road warrior. | ||
Detroit313 Member Username: Detroit313 Post Number: 188 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 12.45.2.184 |
I like the I96 route. I used to take that route to visit my girlfriend at UM. From New Center, I would take the 96 to 14 and save maybe 10/15 mins.313 | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 179 Registered: 04-2006 Posted From: 64.131.176.232 |
Any UM student from northwest Detroit knows that taking I-94 to the city is just a waste of time. It's only worth doing if you are going to southwest Detroit. I-94 only evens out in time with M-14/I-96 in downtown Detroit because I-96 does a bit of turning inside the city. It's still the faster route because 1)traffic is lighter (except during construction) and 2)you're less likely to see cops on that route. | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 180 Registered: 04-2006 Posted From: 64.131.176.232 |
On another note, Google Maps is known for giving out shitty directions. | ||
Jerome81 Member Username: Jerome81 Post Number: 1104 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 64.142.86.133 |
Hmmm....so basically it is hit an miss no matter which way you choose. Good to know. Try Lakeshore to Stony Island to avoid the Ryan. | ||
Mallory Member Username: Mallory Post Number: 62 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 207.230.140.240 |
OK, follow me on this one. I used to live in South Bend (f**k the Irish!) and used to come to D to visit mom in Taylor. I used to take 94 to M12. It's two lane for most of the way, but it's much more interesting than 94 any day. take M12 to I-69. Then, 69 south to the Indiana toll road. Take the toll road all the way to the Skyway and the Dan Ryan. Mighted be a screwed up way to go, but I HATE I-94! | ||
Bvos Member Username: Bvos Post Number: 1955 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 134.215.223.211 |
96, in addition to having a ton more lanes as stated above, also has a higher speed limit for most of it's length which is probably why the map program is telling you to take 96. Right now, again as stated above, with the construction on M-14, DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT take M-14. The place is f*&$ed up nearly 24/7. Take 94 into town and then link to the other highways from there. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 4320 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 71.236.229.212 |
Mallory, you'll thank jjaba for recommending M-60 across Southern Michigan. It is a delightful ride, full of history, no trucks, and wonderful scenery. M-60 runs West from Jackson, Michigan to Niles. South from there to South Bend or continue onto US 12 to New Buffalo, Michigan. By taking a combination of US 12, US 212, and US 20, you'll see the Indiana Dunes and the Indiana Industrial Region ruins enroute to Chicago. This is the route jjaba and family took to Chicago in the 1940s. Combining with US 41, you'll get right up to the Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. As for travel at any time of day on the Dan Ryan, fogettaboutit. jjaba, travel advisor. | ||
Trainman Member Username: Trainman Post Number: 201 Registered: 04-2006 |
Amtrak, they need more passengers. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 6831 Registered: 12-2003 |
Another interesting variation, when you have the time, is to take that M12 exit 4 off I-94 towards the northern part of New Buffalo, then hug the bottom of the lake all the way to 41 up into Chicago. You get to see an interesting Volvo graveyard, the forest south of the Indiana dunes...a nuclear power plant cooling tower just north of the Michigan City outlet mall (always a joy to pass within a quarter-mile of)...Gary's downtown...some old steel mills...lotsa sorry casino traffic...and then the deep of the south side of Chicago just before the birth of the lower Lakeshore Boulevard and parkway. That vision of the skyline is amazingly inspirational...and a wonderful reward for six good hours of driving pleasure. | ||
Machoken Member Username: Machoken Post Number: 1515 Registered: 10-2003 |
I suggest on your way to Chicago take the Route 12 / New Buffalo exit towards the lake, then hang a left and follow the lake all the way to 41 in Chicago. You'll love the views of the dunes, industry, and skyline. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 2819 Registered: 08-2004 |
Good lord! Is this thread still alive?? Jerome81 has probably been to Detroit and back already.....  | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 6836 Registered: 12-2003 |
Macho, Is there an echo in here?! Low-stress-driving-cheers! | ||
Machoken Member Username: Machoken Post Number: 1516 Registered: 10-2003 |
Exactly. Heard from Jjaba lately? | ||
Hysteria Member Username: Hysteria Post Number: 1372 Registered: 02-2006 |
You've both got it right, though. That's the best way to go ... time permitting. The drive between Michigan City and Gary is the best part of US 12 in Indiana. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 6839 Registered: 12-2003 |
I think Jjaba is still stuck on the Dan Ryan. | ||
Kilgore_south Member Username: Kilgore_south Post Number: 168 Registered: 05-2005 |
Hey Gannon - that power plant in Michigan City isn't actually nuclear. It's just a plain old coal plant that happens to have a scary nuclear looking cooling tower. Really freaks a lot of people out though. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 6841 Registered: 12-2003 |
LOL. Another potential terrorist plan, twarted. Damn. Where the hell did I put that drawing board? | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 4354 Registered: 11-2003 |
jjaba, checking in, after a nightmare on the Dan Ryan. Hey, take jjaba's advice on I-94. Stay the hell away. Those who adivse driving it to New Buffalo are off their rockers. It's a disaster zone in Western Michigan. Hugging the lakeshore around the bottom of Indiana are in for a ruins treat, some scenery, some smog, and old school roadside attractions. jjaba happens to love old motels so this is a treat. jjaba. | ||
Kilgore_south Member Username: Kilgore_south Post Number: 169 Registered: 05-2005 |
Gannon will just have to find another way to blow up that damn outlet mall. Just make sure I'm not at the casino... Old motels - take US 20 through Gary and Lake Station. It's a beautiful graveyard of '50's aluminum and neon. I used to live in Valpo, IN and would take friends and family through there to show off the beauty/horror of urban decline. Also if you do decide to take I-94 through W. Michigan, stop by Kalamazoo and say hi. Some good beer downtown. | ||
Hysteria Member Username: Hysteria Post Number: 1373 Registered: 02-2006 |
Yeah, it's funny to see a 4-story hotel with no exterior walls remaining! LOL Jjaba may be refering to Al & Sally's and the Blackhawk Motel on US12 just east of Pines, IN. Beverly Shores is my favorite spot between Michigan City and Gary. It was really something in its heyday.  (Message edited by HYSTERIA on September 20, 2006) | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 4357 Registered: 11-2003 |
Explain Beverly Shore. Thanks. jjaba. | ||
Busterwmu Member Username: Busterwmu Post Number: 274 Registered: 09-2004 |
Somebody already said it, but I'll say it again. Just take Amtrak. Ridership will be up again this year, at least the fourth in a row. All Aboard! | ||
Hysteria Member Username: Hysteria Post Number: 1378 Registered: 02-2006 |
Jjaba, Beverly Shores is a failed 1920s suburban resort community built on the southern shore of Lake Michigan in the Indiana Dunes. It was planned as a rail-suburb of Chicago. It mainly now consists of large modern homes in the dunes and woods. A few of the buildings from the original resort still stand (see train station photo in my last post). There are about six homes from the World's Fair held in Chicago in the 1930s(?) that are still there, but they have not been maintained properly. A few of them serve as private residences. From the Arcadia series 'Images of America': Beverly Shores' planning and architectural history illustrate several major social movements of the past seven decades and how they shaped the built environment. The plan of Beverly Shores and the development image created by its buildings are a significant example of the design affinity for Mediterranean Revival resort suburbs which spread outward from Florida in the 1920s. The town was shaped by a private developer to create an image attractive to the residents of South Chicago who were generally aware of the prestigious resorts in South Florida. When the Depression virtually halted development within the original plan, its developers responded by drawing on the popularity of the Century of Progress World's Fair through the location of several of its structures to the resort. The World's Fair buildings are unique remnants of the Fair in themselves, and gain added interest from their role in Beverly Shores. After the rather exclusive resort years of the 1930s, Beverly Shores reflected the thriving industrial development of the 1950s by becoming a balanced community of permanent and seasonal residents. Finally, the impact of the Federal acquisition of two-thirds of the town to create the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore graphically illustrates the growing sentiment agains the unchecked development of natural lands which grew in the 1960s and 1970s. The town of Beverly Shores exists today as a tangible physical product of each of these succeeding currents in American planning, and architectural and social history. | ||
Hybridy Member Username: Hybridy Post Number: 18 Registered: 08-2006 |
I live in the city University District whenever i made the milwaukee to detroit drive i always hit the skyway and do m-14 to 96 i did 94 for two years until i realized 96 was much faster 94 is longer and always has construction projects stick with 96 | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 4362 Registered: 11-2003 |
Thanks Hysteria. There is a very lovely Southside neighborhood of Beverly in Chicago with homes by Walter Burley Griffin and Frank Lloyd Wright. Was this Indiana town named for that neighborhood? Ofcourse, jjaba has driven past the Beverly Shores RR station on his route around the bottom of Lake Michigan, but never knew what it was. Thanks. Next trip, he'll look into it. Merci. He also peeks around the House of David when he's in their neighborhood. jjaba. | ||
Hysteria Member Username: Hysteria Post Number: 1379 Registered: 02-2006 |
Jjaba, I do not know the name origin of the Irish Catholic stronghold, Beverly (Chicago). Beverly Shores, IN was named for Frederick Bartlett's daugher, Beverly. Mr. Bartlett was the developer of the town/resort. Next trip, jjaba, turn right (North) at the flashing light on Broadway (Beverly Shores train station intersection) and head North toward the lake. Take Broadway all the way to Lake Shore Road (3/4 mile). You'll be rewarded with a view of the forest, dunes, lake, steel mills and Chicago skyline all at once. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 6851 Registered: 12-2003 |
One old customer had a piece of land there on a small peninsula, so he had just about 225 degrees of water before seeing another sign of humanity. Never could get over his seaweed 'carpeting' though, it smelled the place up. | ||
3rdworldcity Member Username: 3rdworldcity Post Number: 288 Registered: 01-2005 |
I just spoke with an associate by phone from his car on the way back from the west side of Chicago. He said the westbound backup on 80/90 is 20 miles and per the radio, the drive time from the Loop to the I-94 exit from 80/90 is 2 hours. | ||
Kilgore_south Member Username: Kilgore_south Post Number: 170 Registered: 05-2005 |
Actually, as I said above I-94 is one mile shorter (if you're going to downtown). I'm a big roadgeek and a professional driver. Through empirical testing I've confirmed that 94 is just about exactly one mile less. But you're right that M-14/Jeffries is usually faster. I take that way most of the time. Gotta love those express lanes. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 4366 Registered: 11-2003 |
3rdworld city tells it like it tis. find another way around that mess. Hysteria, yours is the bestest tip jjaba has had in a long time. Merci beaucoups. jjaba, Westside Torah Bukkor. Happy New Year 5767. | ||
Hysteria Member Username: Hysteria Post Number: 1382 Registered: 02-2006 |
Anytime, jjaba. I know my territory very well. You'll be thoroughly pleased if you visit there. If you're ambitious, you'll fill your empty water bottle(s) with the artesian well water from the spring in Beverly Shores ... Ahhh ... so refreshing and crisp! | ||
Jerome81 Member Username: Jerome81 Post Number: 1121 Registered: 11-2003 |
That's why you NEVER take 80/94! Cracks me up the people that drive the extra distance and go through all the additional traffic hell to avoid having to pay (what was in 2004 the last time I drove it) $2.80 in tolls to take the Indiana Toll Road and Skyway. Next time I make the trip (who the hell knows when that will be), I'll give the M14/96 route a shot. And another time when I have some extra time, I'll take something and never touch the freeway, just for fun. Amtrak is nice, but slow and the times aren't my favorite. Though convenient. My aunt lives 5 blocks from Union Station! | ||
Kilgore_south Member Username: Kilgore_south Post Number: 172 Registered: 05-2005 |
That's been a dream of mine too Jerome. I'm sure you're aware that Chicago's Michigan Ave is historically the tail end of Detroit's Michigan Ave. It used to be US-12, but was called Michigan Ave all the way, and it was the big highway between Chicago and Detroit. I'd love to follow the entire original route sometime, but it would take some research to figure out the exact routing through Jackson, Battle Creek, etc. Sounds like a weekend project... | ||
Hysteria Member Username: Hysteria Post Number: 1385 Registered: 02-2006 |
US 12 between Chicago and Detroit - also known at the Iron Brigade Memorial Highway. Named for the infantry brigade in the Union Army during the Civil War noted for its ability to withstand almost any fire, its regiments combined took the highest casualty percentage of the war ... It's a great trip - quite scenic and relaxing v. I-94! | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 4372 Registered: 11-2003 |
jjaba was raised up in Detroit, but went to Chicago for extended family quite often. We always took M-60, after leaving Detroit on Ford Road out towards Ann Arbor. M-60 runs West from Jackson, Michigan to Niles. Then, stay straight to Lake Michigan on US12. Then hug the lake on US 12, 212, and US 20 into Chicago. Pick up US 41, and ride Lake Shore Drive to the Loop. We always had breakfast in Tekonsha, Mich. at the TE-KON Cafe at US 27. That way, no pukers among the kids on the journey from Detroit. We loved seeing the farm animals and those wonderful farm smells. The road will reward you. jjaba, Westsider down memory lane. First one to report his trip on M-60 will get a prize from jjaba. Ride the whole thing. |
