Tours & Travel

From the Chicago World / Travel essentials

Driving in Chicago

A car helps with regional excursions but creates parking, traffic and navigation burdens in central Chicago, where transit and walking usually serve visitors better.

Driving in Chicago

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Avoid driving for a day concentrated in the Loop, Riverwalk, Museum Campus or Near North Side. Parking costs, one-way streets, loading restrictions and event traffic can outweigh any saved time. If a car is necessary, reserve parking near the day's final destination and leave it there while exploring on foot. Read all curb signs carefully; restrictions can vary by time, weather and event. Lower Wacker Drive and other multilevel roads can confuse navigation systems, so review the route before entering downtown. Winter snow rules and street cleaning add further complexity. A car becomes more useful for destinations outside convenient transit corridors or for a wider regional trip. Never leave luggage or visible valuables in the vehicle. Before departure, confirm toll-payment arrangements, hotel parking terms and the route out of the city rather than improvising during rush hour.

Original World content and translations, shown as supplied. Practical information may need updating.

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