is a hub for many different industries and home to the O’Hare airport. Traffic is worst during rush hour and on days featuring sporting and entertainment events.

From its iconic food offerings to its vibrant sports and arts culture, Chicago is the place to be for many people—literally! Chicago is the third-largest city in the U.S., and more people means more drivers on the road.

Whether you’re new to town or just visiting, car insurance super app

Jerry

is here to help you navigate Chicago’s busy roads. We’ll cover traffic conditions, local driving laws, and ways you can prepare for driving in the Windy City.

What is driving in Chicago like?

Even though Chicago is known for its amazing food and exciting music scene, the Windy City doesn’t have the best reputation when it comes to driving. Out of 100 major American cities,

Chicago was rated 93

for its long commute times, high parking and gas prices, and car insurance and maintenance costs.

In addition to these driving drawbacks, here are some other elements to expect when driving in Chicago.

Roads

In downtown Chicago, expect the roads to follow a grid pattern. This makes getting around a bit easier if you’re new to the area. The grid runs north-south and east-west with State and Madison as the zero point. However, you’ll want to keep an eye out for one-way streets and exceptions to the grid rule.

It’s also worth noting that Chicago’s highways go by names as opposed to numbers. You can expect to hear about the Kennedy Expressway (I-190) and the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-290) when you’re driving in Chicago. One of the most well-known roads in the area is Michigan Avenue, the main north-south channel that runs through downtown.

Familiarize yourself with the road names (and directions!) in your area so you won’t be taken by surprise.

Parking

The availability and price of parking can be a real problem in Chicago. Parking will vary depending on the neighborhood—meter parking is available but limited and may only take credit cards or use an app for payment. Parking at a meter in Chicago costs around $2 an hour outside of the Loop and business district areas, $4.50 an hour in the Central Business District, and $7 an hour in the Loop.

If you prefer garage parking, you can expect to pay anywhere from $6 to $30 an hour depending on the time and the day of the week. Grant Park North, Millennium Park, Grand Park South, and Millennium Lakeside garages are central parking areas that may offer vouchers and reservations. Book ahead to make sure you get a parking spot, especially on game day.

There are a couple of parking restrictions to be aware of, including Chicago’s Winter Overnight Parking Ban—you are not permitted to park within 107 miles of vital roadways from 3 am to 7 am between December 1st and April 1st. You could face a $150 towing fee, a $60 ticket, and a $25 daily storage fee.

Be extra wary of No Parking signs—some signs may simply be a piece of paper tied to a tree to allow for street cleaning.

Weather

Chicago may be called the Windy City, but it's actually snow and ice drivers need to worry about here! Here’s what you can expect from the hot and cold seasons in Chicago:

Summer: The

improved weather

means more drivers out on the roads and an influx of tourists. Watch out for construction zones and check traffic updates before you leave home to make sure you won’t get stuck behind an accident.

Winter: Expect snow, ice, and darker skies. You can drive safely by slowing down and increasing your following distance. Make sure your car is equipped with non-freezing window washer fluid and a brush to clear snow from your windows.

MORE: How to find a parking spot in a city

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Traffic and transportation options in Chicago

Chicago’s downtown streets are set up in a grid and are relatively easy to navigate. However, roadways can get congested and traffic jams are common.

Here are the worst times to drive in Chicago:

6:00 am to 8:00am: If you’re trying to get into the city, avoid the morning rush hour.

4:00 pm to 6:00 pm: Steer clear of the expressway during the evening rush hour if you want to avoid serious traffic jams (and potential

accidents

!).

Game days: You’ll also see a lot of traffic around arenas and venues on certain days—if you can, avoid driving around places like the Wintrust Arena and Wrigley Field when big sports or entertainment events are booked.

The best times to drive in Chicago are 5:00 am and 2:30 pm—you’ll miss the morning and evening rush and be able to enter and leave the city before any large events gridlock the roads.

You can tune into

103.5 KISS FM

WBBM News Radio

(780 AM or 105.9 FM) for traffic updates in Chicago.

Should I rent a car in Chicago?

Renting a car in a big city has significant pros and cons—a rental can get you where you need to go, but driving in metro centers comes with increased rates of accidents, theft, and vandalism. Plus, if you’re planning to drive during rush hour or during major events, you’ll have to deal with congested roads and traffic jams.

Public transportation may be a better bet if you don’t want to spend your visit struck in traffic. Chicago’s “L” rapid transit trains can get you most places in the city, especially if you’re going to an event or a restaurant district. Taxis, buses, bicycle rentals, and rideshares are also readily available if you want an alternative to driving in Chicago.

MORE:

Road trip from Chicago to Seattle

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awesome rewards

every week, just for driving safe!”

Local driving laws in Chicago

Before you hit the road in Chicago, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the local traffic laws. Here are a few examples of what’s expected of you if you’re driving in the Windy City:

It is

illegal to use a handheld phone

while driving in Chicago. Hands-free and voice-activated features are okay.

When you drive through a construction zone, you must slow down, yield to workers and work vehicles, and move into the far lane if possible.

If an emergency vehicle is approaching,

you must pull over or slow down

safely to allow the emergency vehicle to go by. You are not allowed to take photos or use a cell phone within 500 feet of where emergency personnel are working.

Red light cameras

and speeding devices are in effect.

Crime rate in Chicago

The crime rate in Chicago will also affect your driving experience as well as your

car insurance

rates.

In general, Chicago has a much higher

crime rate

than the state average at 35.19 crimes per 1,000 residents every year. If you’re worried about how safe your drive through Chicago will be, stick to the safer neighborhoods such as Forest Glen West, Roscoe Village South, and the University of Chicago area.

Motor vehicle thefts in Chicago hit around 1,400 in 2021—a comparatively low number for a city of Chicago’s size. Monday and Friday are the riskiest days for car thefts and break-ins, especially from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

MORE:

How to report a stolen car

How to find car insurance in Chicago

Driving in Chicago can be frustrating, but that doesn’t mean finding car insurance has to be! With

Jerry

, you can find affordable rates on the coverage you need to stay safe in the Windy City.

Jerry is a

car insurance

super app—it uses information from your existing insurer to provide you with a list of affordable rates drawn from a pool of over 50 top insurance companies. You won’t have to make a single phone call or fill out a single form to get the best rates—Jerry takes care of your switchover and will help you cancel your old plan too!

Jerry users save an average of $887 a year on their car insurance!

“This app is all about savings!
Jerry
just saved me $193/month on my car insurance. They literally found me the cheapest policies out there and with better coverage! Seriously, just sit back and watch Jerry work its magic.” —Rachel B.

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