Chicago is a world-class city, but our traffic is a world-class headache.
You don’t have to be a professional stunt driver to get around, but it certainly helps.
When we asked our Facebook page of locals for Chicago driving advice, the responses were fast and furious!
If you’re planning a trip to the 312 soon, here is the hard-earned wisdom from the people who navigate these gridlocks every day
1. Ditch the Car Whenever Possible
The runaway winner for “best driving tip” is actually to stop driving.
Once you reach a central spot, park the car and embrace your inner pedestrian.
Between the “vicious” meter maids and the general chaos of the roads, you’re often better off on foot or using public transit.
Locals suggest grabbing a Ventra card at a grocery store and downloading the Citymapper app to navigate the bus and train lines like a pro.
2. Master the “Chicago Left” at Busy Intersections
If you find yourself at a massive four-, five-, or six-way intersection, you’ll notice the lead cars sitting right in the middle of the intersection while waiting to turn.
It feels wrong and maybe a little illegal at first, but it’s the only way anyone actually gets to turn left before the light hits red.
If you don’t claim your space in the intersection, you’ll be sitting there until next Tuesday.
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3. Don’t Trust a Green Light
Being the first car at a red light is a position of great responsibility. When that light turns green, do not just stomp on the gas.
Take a beat and look both ways, because there is a high probability someone is about to blow through their red light at an alarming speed.
It’s better to wait a second than to get T-boned by someone who thinks traffic laws are mere suggestions.
4. Treat Lower Wacker Like a Black Hole
GPS might tell you to take Lower Wacker Drive, the multi-level tunnel system running beneath the downtown skyscrapers, but unless you’ve lived here for a decade, don’t do it.
It’s a subterranean labyrinth where satellite signals go to die. You’ll lose your map instantly and end up lost in a concrete maze with no easy way out.
If you absolutely must go down there, study a physical map before you enter the darkness.
5. Pay the Meter or Face the Consequences
In Chicago, the meter maids are always patrolling, and they do not have a sense of humor. Even if you’re just stepping out for a minute in a touristy area, check the signs. It is much better to pay $4 for a spot than to return to a $60 ticket tucked under your wiper.
Pro move: Download the SpotHero app to find garage spots for way less than the standard drive-up rates.
6. Watch Out for One-Way Streets and Narrow Gaps
The Loop (Chicago’s central business district) is a maze of one-way streets, and it is incredibly easy to turn the wrong way if you aren’t focusing.
Once you get out of downtown and into the residential neighborhoods, the roads get famously tight. Between the parked cars and the two-way traffic, it can be a squeeze that scares anyone not used to city driving.
Also, keep an eye out for “hidden” speed bumps on these side streets, they’re brutal on your suspension if you hit them at night.
7. Match the Local Flow (But Stay Out of the Left Lane)
If the sign says 50, expect the cars around you to be doing 70. People will zip, weave, and generally drive like they’re in a hurry to get somewhere important.
Be a predictable driver and follow the flow, but whatever you do, do not go 60 in the far left lane. That’s how you end up with an impatient driver on your bumper, which is where things get dangerous.
8. Find the Free Parking “Secret”
If you’re looking to save some cash, find a free parking spot further out on the North Side, locals recommend looking on Ashland Avenue near Montrose.
Ditch the car there and hop on the Brown Line train. Not only is it cheaper, but the Brown Line ride into and around the Loop offers some of the best views of the city skyline you can get for the price of a train fare.
Bottom line? Driving here is a bit of a challenge, but if you stay alert and have a plan, you’ll be fine. Just remember: when in doubt, take the “L.”
