MPLS to Chicago

I am planning a solo tour to visit a friend of mine in chicago at the end of this summer. I reside in Minneapolis (per the thread title), and am trying to figure out the best route for this trip. I'm more interested in getting there as fast as i can than looking at scenery. Any ideas would be great. Thanks.

Figure out a route that takes you through DeKalb, IL (probably through Galena, IL) ... so, you'll probably just want to head SOUTH out of Minneapolis ...

Down to Dubuque (?), I guess ...

Once you make to somewhere in the vicinity of DeKalb, IL, then head EAST until you get to Sheridan Road ... you'll be on COUNTY ROADS for the most part.

Without looking at a map, the object is to run into Waukegan, IL, or thereabouts (a little North is probably, okay).

Head SOUTH on Sheridan Road until you get to Howard Street (on the city limit between Chicago & Evanston) ... get on the bike path which goes along the Lakefront if that takes you near where you are going ... the bike path along the Lakefront has a SSE direction; so, you'll have to figure out when you want to head WEST to wherever you may be going into the city.

Once you are south of Wilson (?), the ONLY crossover from the bike path on the LakeFront that I can think of is at Monroe, but apparently there is one at Navy Pier (is there a viaduct there?), and may be other places where you can cross over (Lake Shore Drive is a major thoroughfare which separates the Lakefront from the city).

Between Great Lakes Naval Station & Evanston is pretty much a slight downhill (okay, it's probably only about a 120 foot elevation change) ... but, that's better than going uphill! Figure it will only be about 4-to-6 hours to make that portion of the ride.

That's MY way of saying I wouldn't go through Wisconsin even though you could probably plot a shorter route ... too hilly, I think. I think that the only part of Illinois that is hilly is through the Galena "territory" in the NW corner of the State.

FWIW. As some have noted, elsewhere, the streets of Chicago are NOT bike-friendly, for the most part.

BTW. You may want to consider boxing your bike up and going back via the Empire Builder or Greyhound! You'll know after you've made your trek ...

You can pick up the "commuter" train in Cary, IL (if you need a bail-out plan) ... it will take you all the way into Chicago with stops along the way.