Chicago drivers zipping through red lights tend to break the speed limits posted and this indicates reckless driving. Likewise, Chicago comprises of several one-way streets namely, Loop and few neighborhoods in residential areas such as Lakeview, Lincoln Park and Bucktown, so without fail read signs carefully. Another, important thing is to check both ways even after the light is green to assure the cross traffic has completely come to a halt.
Knowing the rush hours is always important. Generally, the rush hours in Chicago are from 6.30 to 9.30 am and 4 to 7 pm. However, the rush may start earlier and end later as well, based on events, weather conditions and holiday weekend periods. However, one thing that cannot be denied is the expressways bottlenecks, especially the Kennedy and Edens merge, the Dan Ryan downtown into the Loop from 22nd Street. The same goes with the areas around the airport. There are electronic signs posting updates on the expressways about the congestions. Once again, summertime is really the right and high time for construction on inner city roads and highways, so there is a need to drive with patience.
Parking
Chicago’s streets mostly have metered parking, however during the peak hours it is very difficult to identify a spot. There are boxes for parking paying that also accept credit cards in increments taking in high traffic areas around five minutes to an hours in less crowded area. The prices are for an hour from $2 to $6.50. There are plentiful downtown garages and parking lots, but they are costly ranging from per day $13 in a municipal lot to $25 for three hours in some private owned lot.
The areas of Lakeview enforces restricted parking and tows your car without permit. Besides, in this areas it is very difficult to find public parking lots even in the surrounding neighborhood areas. In fact, even the major thoroughfares during peak travel hours restrict parking and this is normally between 7 to 9 am and from 4 to 6 pm. Car owners, carefully do read street signs to know if a parking spot is legal. In the winters, on snow days cars parked in the “snow route areas” are towed. There is a fine and also the cost of car towing to be paid. Overall, Chicago is not actually a car-friendly place. So, unless it is a dire necessity, you may forget renting a car and consider traveling by public transportation.
Avoid Chicago Parking Tickets
- The Chicago city has an official guide such that it breaks down specific rules for get you ticketed, and also offers useful advice about the safe parking places.
- Learn best tricks to prevent parking tickets within City and know more about online parking reservation services that permits reserve parking online to avoid the parking tickets risk.
- There is official parking app ParkChicago that can be used to pay and replenish your meter using the phone. This app shows you when the meter is running out.
- There is residential parking in tons throughout Chicago and it is important for you to look out for it.