What is the best time to avoid traffic in Chicago?

Additionally, the city's traffic worsens during the summer due to increased construction, tourism, and the end-of-year school period. Depending on when you are on the road, timing can vary significantly. However, the best times to drive on Chicago roads are 5 am and 2:30 pm before the morning and evening rush hours.



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Today, it's best to get on the roads before 7 a.m. and tomorrow before 11 a.m. As for the weekend, the best times on Saturday and Monday are in the evening, around 6 or 7 p.m. Experts say that Sunday is statistically the lightest traffic day so that might be a good time to hit the road, as well.

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If you are looking for the best day to drive long-distance, Sunday is the day that tends to have the least amount of traffic on the roads.

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Before the pandemic, traffic in most U.S. cities followed a similar pattern: a peak around 6 a.m. and another, slightly higher one around 5 p.m. But now, the number of drivers on the road increases throughout the day, with a sharp rise in the morning that balloons into a higher peak in the evening.

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Earlier is better when getting on the highway, especially during a long weekend. “If you can get up and get out early, 8 in the morning or earlier,” Treanor said. “You're going to avoid more traffic than if you wait.” Most travelers are anticipated to hit the road Friday after work, to get the long weekend started.

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They aren't. A whopping 60% more tourists — nearly 48.9 million domestic and international visitors — came to Chicago in 2022 compared to the year before, according to the tourism group Choose Chicago.

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After Saturday, Friday and Thursday make a close second and third. However, aside from the week, certain holidays – centered around drinking or traveling home to family – are some of the worst for fatal car accidents: July 4th, as well as the day before.

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