If you are driving, be aware that Chicago is a major metropoliton area that sits astride I-80, a primary transcontinental route. Traffic will be heavy. The city and state are rebuilding and updating many of the freeways. So, expect delays in the construction areas. If you are driving to Chicago, try to plan your trip to arrive at mid-day or late evening. This will avoid the worst of rush hour traffic. Many of the freeways in the Chicago area are tollways. Bring a sack of change. If you go through Chicago on a regular basis, get the Illinois I-Pass to enable you to bypass the toll booths. Radio station WBBM (AM-780) broadcasts traffic information every eight minutes.
To avoid the construction starting in Gurnee IL, members traveling from the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, area should consider taking Il-173 west to Il-59 south to Northwest Highway (IL-14). Off of IL-14, you can either take IL-53 south to Euclid East or continue on Il-14 to Euclid then turn west when you get to Arlington Heights.
All other routes do not have a serious construction delay at this time.
The best way to avoid the I-294 construction is to continue travel on I-80 to I-355. I-355 ends and I-294 begins again and eventually will turn into I-53 and the exit to Euclid Rd is just north of the I-90 Intersection.
Note: The area at the Illinois/Indiana border is always a jam from 3pm to about 6 pm.
Using I-57- Go West on I-80 and travel North on I-355
Using I-55- Take the I-355 bypass
I-90 from Belvidere to Beliot will continue to be under construction for resurfacing during 2009. Alternate routes are unknown at this time
Remember: Google maps can help with directions around construction areas.
Some rental car agencies offer I-Pass rental with your vehicle. I-Pass charges are 50% less than the normal Toll costs and allows one to use the open road toll systems (no stop and go at the plazas). Toll charges range from $0.80 to $1.00 depending on the tollway.
If your state has an EZ-Pass system, this can be used in Illinois.
Depending upon your airline, pick up of your dog(s) may be different, please check with your airline. Most will deliver your dog to the baggage claim area. There is no official doggy relief area at the airport. Carts are rentable at the baggage claim area.
Most of the rental car agencies send shuttles to the airport to pick up clients and then transport the customer to the rental facility. Be sure your rental agency knows you are traveling with your dog (s) and will accomondate them on the shuttle
Most of the car rental facilities are located off Manhiem Road. Manhiem Road can be taken south to I-290 or North to I-90. If taking I-90, exit at I-53 North to the hotel. If taking I-290, travel West to I-355/I-294/I-53 North to the Euclid exit west and the hotel. Check with your rental facility to get better directions from the facility itself.
They are more a expensive, smaller operation, but more dog friendly. Here is their website. www.PawsAroundChicago.com
Our normal rate for transporting a large dog, the owner and their personal luggage from Chicago's O'Hare Airport to Arlington Heights is currently $95.00 ( between 9 am - 3 pm) or $120.00 (pick up before 9 am or after 3 pm). This would be the cost if we were to pick up 1 customer at a time. However, if somehow we can do more than one and up to three at a time, the price would be the same plus an additional $10.00 per client. For example. If we were to pick up 3 clients and their dogs during the 9 - 3 time slot, the total cost would be $115.00 ( about $38.00 per person).
If needed, they can pick up unescorted dogs.
Your departure will begin with the trip to the rental office to return your car. From there, a shuttle will transport you to the departure area of the airport. Porters will direct you to the special check in area for your dog and TSA inspection. The dog will be checked in and routed to your airline after inspection. You will then proceed to your baggage check in area and TSA screening. Give yourself adequate time to check everything in! Typically a two hour lead time is needed at O'Hare.
Travel to popular Chicago attractions via public transit.