Can you see the Chicago skyline from I-80???

[natethegreatforlife]

Sorry if I put this in the wrong section of the forum, but I am driving from Cleveland to the West Coast (San Fran and Seattle to be exact), and I am taking Interstate 80 through the south side of Chicago, so I was wondering, can you see the Chicago skyline from Interstate 80??? It will be nighttime, so if that makes viewing any better... And I really don't have time to stop in the city itself. Thanks in advance!!!!!



Edit: Now that I looked the the forums more, maybe I should have put it in City Discussion????

[Dralcoffin]

I'm pretty sure it's visible far to the north going through the Thornton quarries on I-80. However, the buildings are 20 miles away so at night they're lost in the glow of the city I believe.

[v.o.r.t.e.x]

google street view?

[jpIllInoIs]

You might get some vague outlines. But depending on the time of day..why not veer off of 80 onto I-90 (Chicago Skyway) and ride up to the city. Great view of downtown from the Skyway bridge over the port of chicago. Come all the way up to where i-90 reconnects to I-94 and then take the Lake shore drive exit. Enjoy LSD Skyline views through the Museum Campus-Grant Park-Navy Pier-Oak Street Beach all the way to Foster Ave and turn around and do it south bound all over again. Continue through Grant Park and reconnect with 90/94 southbound to 1-80. Nice diversion as long as you are in the area.

[ardecila]

In the daytime, you can see the skyline over the railyards west of Halsted St. At night, you might make out the lit antennas of the Sears (Willis) Tower but not much else.

[the urban politician]

I don't think you can see it from i-80. That's pretty far

[Rail Claimore]

You can see the skyline from two places on I-80: You can see it just west of Thorton Quarry as you're going over that big rail yard near Halsted Street. You can also catch a glimpse of it as you pass over the Rock Island line near Mokena, between Harlem Avenue and LaGrange Rd. The latter view isn't always a guarantee and it would require you to tilt your head about 120 degrees when you should be paying attention to the road: but to answer your question, yes.

[ardecila]

Of course, the usual disclaimers apply: Chicago's a big city with high smog levels and varying weather conditions, so visibility can sometimes prevent the view from I-80.

That said, I've seen the skyline from Palatine on a clear day (30 miles), so I-80 is certainly possible.

[natethegreatforlife]

Ok, thanks everyone, because Chicagos really the only large skyline the whole way there. Des Moines and Omaha aren't very big to my standards.

[natethegreatforlife]

Originally Posted by v.o.r.t.e.x

google street view?

And after I posted my last comment, I decided to give street view a try. Turns out just west of the Thornton Quarries where Dralcoffin, ardecila, and Rail Claimore said to check out, I could just make out the top of Willis Tower. Or at least it looks like it, because I'm looking in the right direction.

[Dralcoffin]

Originally Posted by natethegreatforlife

Ok, thanks everyone, because Chicagos really the only large skyline the whole way there. Des Moines and Omaha aren't very big to my standards.

If you want an up close look at a smaller skyline, at Des Moines go on I-235 at the first 80/35 interchange. It goes right by downtown, and then continues onto I-80 in West Des Moines. Either way, you have to exit onto another freeway at some point, and this way gives you a great view of the Des Moines cluster (which is pretty impressive for a city of Des Moines' size).

[natethegreatforlife]

Originally Posted by Dralcoffin

If you want an up close look at a smaller skyline, at Des Moines go on I-235 at the first 80/35 interchange. It goes right by downtown, and then continues onto I-80 in West Des Moines. Either way, you have to exit onto another freeway at some point, and this way gives you a great view of the Des Moines cluster (which is pretty impressive for a city of Des Moines' size).

Actually, that's the way google maps is taking us, and after looking at a picture of the Des Moines skyline, it is a pretty nice downtown for it's size, isn't it??? And I'll also be able to see Omaha crossing the Missouri River for a few seconds.

[Busy Bee]

Another disclaimer that no one has mentioned yet: If YOU are the driver, keep your eyes on the road not gawking trying to make out a skyline some 20+ miles to the north. This section of the 80 tollway is extremely heavily travellled, especially with trans-con semis, which you can be sandwiched between for the majority of the route. Just some well intentioned safety advice from your safety buddy Busy Bee.

[ardecila]

I assumed he was the passenger... Certainly gaping off the road is not recommended on the Tri-State if you're behind the wheel.