O’Hare to Muskegon MI

Question

Will be driving from Chicago OHare (rental car) to Muskegon. Will be a weekday early afternoon. Any tips on which route to take out of Chicago? There seem to be several choices…

Answer

Driving from O’Hare to Muskegon is straightforward — roughly a 200–210 mile trip and typically about 3½–4 hours depending on traffic and which route you pick. The two practical choices out of the Chicago area are: (A) go through / near the city on I-90/I-94 (shorter mileage but can be stressful and slow in traffic), or (B) take the Tri-State (I-294) around the city and join I-94 east in Indiana (usually less stressful and often faster during weekday travel). Estimated distances/times are in the ~197–211 mile / ~3.5–4 hour range.

Recommended routing options — pros / cons and when to use each

Option 1 — I-294 (Tri-State) around Chicago → I-94 East → US-31 / I-196 north to Muskegon
This is my general recommendation for a weekday early-afternoon departure. Avoids driving through downtown Chicago (less stressful), usually smoother traffic once you’re on I-94 in Indiana, and makes the trip more predictable. It uses toll sections around Chicago (Tri-State), so have your rental’s toll payment option or an electronic pass ready. Best if you want to avoid city traffic and a nerve-wracking downtown drive.
Option 2 — I-90/I-94 (Kennedy/Edens/Dan Ryan corridors) directly east from O’Hare through the city → I-94 East
This can be a slightly shorter route in mileage, but it runs you through busy expressway segments and downtown interchanges that can have slowdowns and construction. Use this only if traffic looks light (check live traffic) or you prefer the shortest distance. Not ideal during rush hour or heavy-construction windows.
Option 3 — More rural/avoid-tolls routing (surface/highway combinations)
If you want to minimize tolls you can route using US-41/IL state routes around the city and then head to I-94 in Indiana — this avoids some tollway cost but adds time and more complex navigation. Use this only if you specifically want to avoid tolls or have time to spare. Most drivers find the Tri-State + I-94 option is worth the toll for lower stress and more reliable travel time.

How a typical drive will look (step-by-step for the recommended route)

From O’Hare, follow signs to I-190 / I-294 so you can get onto the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) to bypass the city.
Take I-294 (east / south depending on the ramps) to connect to I-94 East toward Indiana / Michigan.
Follow I-94 East across northern Indiana into Michigan (watch for construction zones and traffic around major towns).
Near the St. Joseph / Benton Harbor / Holland area, follow signs to I-196 / US-31 North toward Grand Haven / Muskegon; then take the appropriate exit into Muskegon. (US-31 / I-196 are the main northbound corridors to Muskegon.)

Practical tips & timing for a weekday early-afternoon departure

Leave O’Hare after you pick up the car and are loaded — but check live traffic before you turn on navigation. If there’s an earlier or later window that avoids any construction backups on I-90/I-94 through the city, shift slightly. Use Waze or Google Maps to compare “fastest” vs “avoid tolls” routes before you commit.
Avoid starting during Chicago’s afternoon rush (roughly 3–7 pm inbound/outbound patterns vary). Early afternoon departures are usually fine — I-294 lets you skip downtown congestion.
Budget for tolls around Chicago (Tri-State tolls) and have the rental car’s toll payment option sorted (EZ-Pass, license-plate billing, or local toll device). Tolls can save time.
Watch for construction: I-94 through northwest Indiana and the Chicago expressway corridors have periodic projects; check your navigation app for “construction” alerts and plan a restroom/gas stop around Michigan/Indiana towns if you want to break the drive.
If you want the absolute smoothest trip and don’t mind paying tolls, pick I-294 → I-94. If you want to save on tolls and don’t mind a longer or less predictable drive, choose the surface/highway alternative or enable “avoid tolls” in your app (but expect extra time).

Quick checklist before you go

Confirm your rental car’s toll payment option (to avoid surprise charges at return).
Open Waze/Google Maps and compare “fastest” vs “avoid tolls” routes just before departure.
Fuel up before you leave O’Hare — airport prices can be higher, but you’ll want a full tank for the first leg.
Pack snacks, water, and a paper map or offline map in case of cell blackspots.

Bottom line: For a weekday early-afternoon trip I recommend taking the Tri-State (I-294) around Chicago and then I-94 East into Michigan, finishing on US-31/I-196 north into Muskegon — it’s usually the least stressful and most reliably timed option even if it adds a few toll dollars. Estimated trip length ~3.5–4 hours / ~200 miles.

O’Hare to Muskegon MI

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