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Chicago traffic live

This map of live traffic in Chicago is based on Google maps technology and shows current traffic conditions on highways and roads where data is available. The colors indicate the speed of traffic on the road in comparison to free-flowing conditions. Green golour means there is a normal speed of traffic. The more red the roads become, the slower the speed of traffic on the road.

Chicago districts with live traffic information

We created special pages dedicated to traffic information for each district in Chicago and you can find them under following links:

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Chicago traffic

Live traffic.

Travel times and speeds are based on trip data anonymously collected from drivers within the larger metropolitan area (“metro”) throughout the complete road network — including fast roads and highways crossing this area.

Hourly speed and travel time per 10 km

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Chicago traffic in 2023

Travel time decreased in Chicago last year. The data suggests that average time it took to travel 10 km decreased by 10 s .

Travel times and speeds are based on worldwide trip data spanning 551 billion (10 9 ) km anonymously collected during the year from drivers within the larger metropolitan area (“metro”) or a 5 km radius from the center (“city center”) throughout the complete road network — including fast roads and highways crossing this area.

World rank 2023 128

Which was the worst day to travel through chicago in 2023 , the cost of driving in rush hour.

What was the yearly cost of driving in Chicago during rush hour? How much time did you spend driving, and how did it affect your finances and the environment?

Driving patterns in Chicago

What did travel times look like over a week in Chicago ? When was it best to avoid driving? At what points did we use the most fuel and emit the most CO 2 ?

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How much additional time was spent in the car during rush hour in Chicago ?

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How much extra time did we spend driving in rush hours over the year?

86 hours = 3 days, 14 hours

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• Dan Ryan Expy
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Travel Midwest Stats

Over 635 million historical traffic travel times collected since 2004 for Chicago, Milwaukee, and more

Travel Midwest Stats provides real time and historical travel / drive time statistics for area roadways primarily in Illinois and Wisconsin. This includes roads in Chicago and Milwaukee. Over 15 years of historical data is available dating back to 2004, which includes nearly 650 million individual travel times. Data can be filtered by a variety of criteria including date range, time of day, day (or days) of the week, and weather conditions. Data consists of average, current, minimum, and maximum travel times for a given route. Other data elements include congestion benchmarks such as no congestion, medium congestion, and heavy congestion. In addition, travel time prediction ranges are provided at 65%, 80% and 95% confidence levels. Current weather conditions are provided for each route. Over the years, the site has been mentioned in numerous academic and government research projects including MIT, Harvard University, The University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Members of the motoring public have used the site millions of times to help them plan their trips. Data from the site has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, other media outlets, and numerous web sites. Most services are provided for free to the general public, students, academic institutions, non-profits, and government agencies. Complex or custom solutions, and services targeting for-profit organizations, are available for a fee.

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If you prefer a simpler user experience based on older, and highly compatible, web technologies please visit our classic site at http://classic.travelmidweststats.com/ .

Chicago Traffic and Road Conditions

Chicago traffic map.

How to use the Chicago Traffic Map Traffic flow lines : Red/White dashed lines = Closed Road, Red lines = Heavy traffic flow, Yellow/Orange lines = Medium flow and Green = normal traffic. Black lines or No traffic flow lines could indicate a closed road, but in most cases it means that either there is not enough vehicle flow to register or traffic isn't monitored. Also, If you do not see traffic flow, you can zoom in closer to reveal localized data. If you are unable to pan the map, press here (to focus off of the map) and try again. Traffic Incidents (beta) : Each image represents traffic event or incident such as road construction, closure (red circle with a white dash) or accident.

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Chicago's busiest bus route to receive upgrades for faster commutes

CHICAGO - Construction is set to begin this week on new dedicated bus-only lanes along one of Chicago's most popular travel routes , transportation officials announced on Tuesday.

The new bus-only lanes on the #66 Chicago Avenue route aim to improve bus reliability and reduce travel time for riders on one of the city's busiest corridors, according to a statement from the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) .

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) will begin installing new red-bus only lanes on Chicago Avenue between Sangamon Street and Larrabee Street, as it nears completion of new bus priority lanes between Grand Avenue and Campbell Avenue, the statement said.

"The 66 Chicago Avenue route is one of our most frequent and most heavily utilized, providing roughly 17,000 rides on an average weekday, and our ability to efficiently move riders along that corridor is critical to connecting communities on the east and west sides of the city," CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. said in the statement. "This latest addition builds on years of improvements made to this route, cumulatively speeding up average travel times by several minutes."

Two eastbound No. 66 Chicago Avenue buses approach the Milwaukee Avenue stop on Oct. 24, 2018, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune / Getty Images)

Once completed, the new bus-only lanes will provide nearly 3.9 miles of uninterrupted space for CTA buses, running from Grand to Ashland and from Milwaukee to Michigan Avenue. Officials said that 40% of the #66 Chicago Avenue route will include a bus lane after the latest addition.

Transportation officials noted about half a mile of Chicago Avenue will feature new bus-only lanes, which will be marked with red paint. The designation will remain in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week, according to city officials.

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Summer in Chicago: The best things to do

Experience the summer in Chicago you deserve with our guides to festivals, beaches, rooftops and more.

Welcome to summer, Chicago! We've only got a few precious months of warm weather and long days to enjoy, so let us help you make the most of it with our guide to the city's best season. A few ideas: Maximize your time outside at  rooftop bars  and  restaurants , catch  outdoor movies  in city parks, sample bites at a  street festival  and spend your weekends dancing to live tunes at the  best summer music festivals in Chicago . And if you're looking for  free things to do in Chicago , it's tough to beat a long day at the  beach ! Summer won't stick around forever—scroll through and get ready to explore the best of the city's warm weather offerings.

RECOMMENDED: Discover the best things to do in Chicago

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Top things to do in Chicago this summer

Party at a Chicago street festival

• Things to do

Summer in Chicago means it's street fest season. The city's neighborhoods and  parks  will be busy thanks to a stacked lineup of fests, fairs and more. You'll find everything from  favorites like Taste of Randolph and Wicker Park Fest to the Gold Coast Art Fair and Chalk Howard Street  on the calendar from May through September, so start planning your weekends now.

Have a lazy day at the beach

There are few better ways to beat the heat in Chicago than by hitting one of the many sandy beaches along the shores of Lake Michigan. From the North Shore to the South Shore, there are plenty of options to choose from, whether you’re looking for a chill day of sunbathing, want to take in the skyline from a kayak or paddleboard, or love to get competitive with a game of volleyball.

Sip a drink on a rooftop

Nothing screams summertime in Chicago like adimiring  skyline views  with a drink in hand. As the days get warmer, it's time to lean into the season's heat at the best rooftop bars in Chicago. Grab a cocktail  at terraces high above the street and atop  downtown hotels , or escape to  hidden patios and gardens  to avoid the crowds.

Dine outdoors all season long

• Restaurants

Chicagoans love to make the most of the warmest months by eating outside.  When the weather is pleasant, you can grab a seat on a rooftop restaurant that affords great views of the skyline or on a huge enclosed patio at one of the best pizza spots in the city. Whether you’re looking to soak up the sun in a lively atmosphere or want a chill outdoor bar , you’ll have lots of options.

Rock out at a summer music festival

If you're into live music, there's no better time than summer to catch performances. A countless number of artists, spanning all genres, will be headed to town for the city's various music festivals. From returning favorites like Windy City Smokeout and Summer Smash to heavy hitters such as Lollapalooza and Riot Fest, there's an event for every type of concertgoer.

Rent a boat

A river cruise is a great way to get out on the water. But for a more intimate and wondrous experience, you should consider renting a boat or kayak. Businesses along the river and the lakefront will send you floating throughout the city, whether you want to head out on a solo paddle or be the captain of your own yacht. And don't worry if you're a novice—you'll get a quick lesson and tips before you leave the dock.

Dine by the water

Alfresco dining is one of the best perks of summer in Chicago. And between the different branches of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, there are plenty of options for waterfront dining in Chicago—whether you’re looking for high-end seafood establishments, casual pizza spots or even a brewery adjacent to a music venue along the river.

Have a picnic in a park

Chicago's motto is "City in a Garden," and our public green spaces live up to such a lofty name. With more than 600 facilities throughout the city, the Chicago Parks District boasts something for everyone. Most importantly, they provide a space to relax and momentarily forget that you're in the middle of a large city filled with people, buildings and cars, so pack a picnic, lay out on the grass and soak up the sun while you can.

Take a dip in a pool

As the temperature and humidity tick up, it's the perfect time to cool off by the water. If heading to the lake and enjoying one of Chicago's best beaches isn't your jam, the Chicago Park District offers dozens of public swimming pools all over the city—free of charge. Whether you want serene lap lanes, kid-friendly water playgrounds and slides or just a place to lounge, you'll find it among the best swimming pools in Chicago.

See the city on a boat tour

• Walks and tours

Sure, walks along Michigan Avenue and State Street are nice and rooftop bars offer plenty of pretty sights—but the best way to see downtown Chicago is from the water. Both the Chicago River and Lake Michigan offer unparalleled vantage points for taking in the city’s world-famous architecture and the breathtaking Chicago skyline , with many of the tours providing unique insights into the city’s culture and history. From architecture tours and history lessons to straightforward sightseeing affairs, romantic excursions and pirate-themed family fun, there's a Chicago cruise for every groove.

Take a stroll on the Chicago Riverwalk

Ever since it was expanded in 2015, the Chicago Riverwalk has become a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. The waterfront attraction boasts cocktail bars, stunning views of the Chicago skyline and is close to some of the city's best waterfront dining. You can even rent a boat or kayak and cruise down the river!

Cool off with some ice cream

• Ice cream parlors

Summer in Chicago is often a muggy scorcher, making ways to beat the heat all the more important. If you’re looking to cool off with a frozen treat, the city has a huge variety of ice cream shops, ranging from classic institutions that have served generations of families to brand new spots offering creations inspired by Japan, Thailand and Ireland.  Just make sure to eat fast before your dessert melts away!

Shop at a farmers market

• Markets and fairs

It's easy to overlook the glory that is farmers market season, but that would be a mistake. Check out markets all across the city, from Andersonville to Woodlawn, to find the freshest fruits, veggies, flowers, sweets and more. It's a win-win: You'll be supporting local businesses  and getting the highest quality ingredients.

Take your bike for a long spin

Chicago is a city that loves to bike — no matter the weather . The Lakefront Trail, one of our most celebrated gems that sees millions of foot and cycling traffic each year, is a must for any visitor or Chicagoan. But besides the over 20 miles of lakefront views, there are hundreds of other miles of trails to explore if you're itching to ditch the stoplights and escape the city, Just outside city limits, you’ll find flat, paved paths perfect for training for your next century ride, hilly mountain biking trails that put your skills to the test and routes ideal for taking a walk .

Go on a long run

You don’t have to be a marathoner, or signed up for any race at all, in order to go on a long run. Maybe you’re interested in exploring nearby hiking trails , or just want to get some exercise  in . No matter what your motivations are, there are plenty of places to go for a lengthy run in and around Chicago, including the Lakefront Trail and the 606.

Play a game of pickleball

• Sports and fitness

A fusion of tennis, badminton and table tennis, pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the U.S., and its popularity is especially apparent during the Chicago summer when pairs of players and groups of four can be spotted hustling around the courts throughout the city. Many Chicago parks offer free courts, so bring your own equipment and get your game on!

Hit the road for a summer getaway

Chicago is at its best in the summertime . But if you’re ready to soak up the culture of a nearby Midwestern town, there are plenty of destinations just a few hours away from the city by car, including Door County, Galena and Madison. They're filled with rich history, great food and drinks and relaxing waterfronts, and offer the perfect escape from big city life.

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Chicago Summer Festivals 2024: 17 can't-miss festivals in June

Dozens of festivals take place in chicago each summer. here's a look at some of the can't-miss ones in june, by kiersten riedford • published may 29, 2024 • updated on may 29, 2024 at 12:48 pm.

The time to sing, dance and eat your way through Chicago is nearly here, thanks to the many festivals planned for summer 2024 in the city.

From hot dogs, to house music and more, here's a look at 17 can't-miss festivals taking place in Chicago in June.

Watch NBC 5 Chicago news stream free, 24/7, wherever you are

Chicago House Music Festival and Conference

The free, four-day festival in and around Millennium Park takes place May 30 through June 2. In its 40th year, the event features DJ workshops, live music and more.

Maifest Chicago

The free, four-day festival is a traditional German celebration of the arrival of spring, and features food, live music and more.

The festival takes place May 30 - June 2 at 4521 N. Lincoln Avenue in the city's West Ravenswood neighborhood.

Strong, potentially severe storms could hit parts of Chicago area Monday

Voters waited in line for hours in Chicago to cast ballots in Mexico election

Do division street fest.

This popular, family-friendly street festival takes place May 31 through June 2. The event, on Division Street between Damen and Leavitt, takes place from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, and 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. A $10 donation is suggested .

Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter here.

Chicago Gospel Music Festival

Chicago's Gospel Music Festival takes place June 1 in Millennium Park. The free, family-friendly event takes place from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and features a lineup of multiple artists. Food for purchase will be available on site.

57th Street Art Fair

The 77th annual art fair in Hyde Park takes place June 1 and 2, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free and food trucks will be on site.

Windy City Hot Dog Fest

The third annual Windy City Hot Dog Fest takes place June 1 and 2 in the city's Portage Park neighborhood. The event features live music, food for purchase, a hot dog eating contest and more.

Windy City Hot Dog Fest takes place from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. each day.

Chicago Blues Festival

From June 6 to 9, Millennium Park will host the Chicago Blues Festival . Admission to the event is free and sign-language interpretation will be provided

Puerto Rican Fest and People's Parade

Humboldt Park will host the Puerto Rican Fest from June 6 to 9. Admission to the event is free on June 6 for Community Day from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., with arts, carnival games and music performances all included.

The rest of the days for the festival include vendor markets, paint and sip opportunities and the People’s Parade on Division Street.

Midsommarfest

Midsommarfest in Andersonville takes place June 7-9. The festival, which celebrates the neighborhood's Swedish heritage and LGBTQ+ pride features music and more. A $10 donation is suggested.

Wells Street Art Festival

The Wells Street Art Festival takes place June 8 and 9 on Wells Street from North Avenue to Division and features a family area, live music and more. A $10 donation is required.

Old Town Art Fair

The iconic Old Town Art Fair takes place June 8 and 9 in the Old Town Triangle Historic District. The free fair features more than 200 acclaimed artists. Gates are open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Grant Park Music Festival

The free music festival in Millennium Park takes place on select nights June 12 through Aug. 17. The festival, in its 90th year, is a summer-long outdoor series dedicated to classical music. See the full lineup here .

Ribfest Chicago

From June 14 to 16, the Northcenter neighborhood will host Ribfest Chicago , with at least 20 food vendors expected to serve up their best dishes.

Admission is free, but a $10 donation is suggested. The festival will be open 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on June 14 as well as 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. on June 15 and June 16.

Taste of Randolph Street

The West Loop food and music festival takes place June 16 through June 18. A $10 donation is recommended.

Maxwell Street Market

The iconic Maxwell Street Market returns to its original home on Maxwell Street for 2024, with six market days taking place the last Sunday of each month through Oct. 27. The free market features food, music, live entertainment and more.

Chicago SummerDance

Beginning June 15, Grant Park will host Chicago SummerDance , a festival with music for dancers of all levels to dance to live music or attend dance classes. Admission to the festival, which takes place over a variety of dates and locations through Sept. 8, is free.

Chicago Pride Fest

The two-day Chicago Pride Fest takes place June 22 and 23. It features live music on three stages and will be held in the Northhalstead neighborhood. A $15 donation is suggested in lieu of tickets. The following weekend, the 53rd annual Chicago Pride Parade takes place.

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As cicadas emerge, nature lovers travel thousands of miles to converge on Illinois

For tourists, illinois is the place to be for the historic cicada emergence. the 17-year brood in the state’s northern half and the 13-year brood in the southern part are set to converge near springfield..

This cicada is part of a large brood that emerged around a tree Wednesday in Western Springs.

Jim Vondruska/For The Sun-Times

When scheduling a girls’ trip to Chicago with her younger cousin, Kat McHenry planned what any Chicago tourist would: Comparing deep dish pizza at Pequod’s and Lou Malnati’s, exploring at the Field Museum, and seeing the city’s sights.

But one item on their itinerary stood out. They got matching tattoos — of cicadas.

The emergence of periodical cicadas that rise from underground every 17 years to sing, mate and die was the main reason the Monterey, California, resident and her aspiring entomologist cousin came to the Windy City.

“What really drew me to the trip and brought me joy was getting to share it with her and ... inspire her to be a part of the sciences, to be interested in the subject and push her a little bit on her journey towards her schooling,” McHenry said.

And they’re not the only ones. Other nature lovers are coming to Illinois from near and far to see the double brood emergence . The two breeding groups of cicadas that each emerge every 13 or 17 years will coincide for the first time since 1803, covering more than a dozen states.

Illinois is the place to be for the historic emergence. The 17-year cicadas will mainly cover the northern half of the state while the 13-year cicadas are centered mostly in the southern part, and the two are set to converge near Springfield.

“Illinois is kind of the hotbed for [cicada tourism] right now because there are a few counties, more in central Illinois, that would [have] potential overlap areas where you would get both,” said Teri Guill of Carrollton, Texas, who is planning to visit Chicago next week with her 13-year-old niece.

Maxim André Goddard, center, plans to come to the Chicago area with his partner, Anna, and daughter, Alexandria, to see the 17-year cicadas during their historic emergence.

For Maxim André Goddard, the natural phenomenon is reason enough to make the trek from Montreal to Chicago with his partner and daughter. The family is planning to come to the area this weekend, hoping to spend time enjoying the city but also venturing out to see the cicadas.

“It’s something that you rarely get to see, so you should take the opportunity to go and see it,” he said.

Goddard, 47, entertained the thought of his 1-year-old daughter coming back to the area when she’s 18 to see the cicadas’ next emergence.

“That would be amazing, if she could be there again for that occurrence,” he said. “When she’s older ... that would just be phenomenal.”

Dave Odd, who leads Eat the Neighborhood foraging tours, said he led an expedition Sunday that wasn’t related to cicadas in Oak Park, but visitors from Japan joined it because they wanted to see the insects. The group found some cicadas, which Odd fried up for the tourists to try. In June, he’s hosting a cicada event at his Beaverville homestead.

Ellyn Fortino, a spokesperson for Morton Arboretum, said curious travelers from Seattle, Alberta, Montreal, Washington state, Tennessee and Buffalo, New York, and other areas, have visited or called to say they’re coming to see cicadas.

Two of those visitors were McHenry and her 22-year-old cousin Maddy McKee, who rented a car to visit the arboretum in Lisle. The pair spotted a small group of cicadas in the grass and trees, picking them up and carrying them around. Wanting to see more, McHenry then posted on Facebook to ask fellow cicada lovers where to go. The Californians hit the cicada jackpot in Downers Grove at the suggestion of some Facebook users.

“That’s where we really started to see them en masse climbing up on the trees all over the place, flying around, making a lot of noise, which was what we expected to see for sure,” McHenry said.

McHenry, 34, has worked as a marine biologist and has traveled to experience natural phenomena firsthand. She went to Indianapolis last month to see the total solar eclipse. Seeing natural phenomena has always delighted her, she said, but this trip had extra meaning.

“My greatest joy was to be able to share [the experience] with my cousin,” McHenry said.

Guill, 41, is also looking to have a similar bonding moment with her niece. It’ll be Guill’s second cicada-centric trip this year, after seeing the 13-year insects recently in St. Louis. In 2021, she saw Brood X in Washington, D.C. But the self-described nature lover made those first two trips alone. For this one, she’ll share the experience.

“In her young mind, some of the coolest things that she’s seen before have been watching an annual cicada molt on the side of the house and being able to watch the creatures that exist around her too,” Guill said of her niece.

The first order of business when they arrive is a visit to the Insect Asylum to check out the museum and pick up Cicada Parade-a statues to decorate themselves and leave one behind on display in the city.

Last time Matt Prusak saw periodical cicadas, he was 10 years old and had just moved to Tinley Park. He and a friend who lived nearby found a white cicada that they buried in a tin can. He remembered the insects flying around, so he had missed the emerging stage.

“Cicadas are so friendly, I guess is the word, [and] that made me get interested in them because they’re very happy to just climb on top of you,” he said. “So I remember that really good summer.”

Now 26 , Prusak found out about a cicada emergence tour in Skokie on Sunday afternoon, so he and his partner made the two-hour round trip from Schererville, Indiana, to Lorel Park. The couple and their fellow tourists watched hundreds of them emerge.

Prusak’s experience with cicadas as a kid helped foster a longtime love of the insect. Seeing them again brings that love full circle, he said.

“It was really a nice closure on growing up, is a way I’ve been thinking about it,” he said. “I saw the end of it before and then I have lived for 17 years and seen ... the other half of it. So it feels like I finished the story of how cicadas work.”

For Guill, the cicadas’ song is what inspires awe.

“When you hear the small, tiny little creature that makes such a noise, it can honestly sound kind of otherworldly when you’re in the midst of it,” Guill said. “It just makes this really kind of otherworldly and amazing chorus that you really only have a chance to experience in this very short time window when these broods emerge.”

The buzz on local cicada events

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