Question:

What route from Chicago - St. Louis. (I-55 or I-57)?
Hi, I am planning to drive from Chicago(Loop, today around 4PM) to St. Louis. Do you have any suggestion on if I should take I-55 or I-57 given the time and day? I-57 would add 15 more miles and minutes, but that's OK for me. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=60605&daddr=st+louis,mo&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=40.24211,-88.911105&sspn=3.88209,9.887695&ie=UTF8&ll=40.237605,-88.901367&spn=3.882571,9.887695&z=7

Answers:

A-Best: Take I57 into the city. I know someone who lives in the city and drives to Joilet every day for work. After driving both routes, he decided I57 is a much easier commute even if it is a slightly longer route. Reason: less traffic, fewer jams, few accidents which equals a lot less time on the road.  

A: I recently went to St. Louis and we took I55 mostly because we were on the south side of chicago, but 15 extra minutes means extra gas your burning as well. So save the gas and take 55 :)  

A: I 55 I live half way between St louis and Springfield IL, and i have traveled 55 lots and we just came through Chicago last spring, 55 does have some construction, but that time of day you should be fine.  

A: I-55 all the way baby!!  

A: Usually I-55 inbound is okay that time of day - I know outbound is usually pretty bad. If you want to be sure be certain to listen to WBBM AM 780 for traffic updates every 10 minutes. And if you have a smart phone consider downloading Windows Live Search or Google Maps which have real time traffic color coding.  

A: TAKE i 57!!!!!!  

A: l-55  

A: Both are backed up with traffic. I would avoid I-57 and go Stevenson; they are doing intermittent work on most highways and expressways now.