16-08 Chicago #2 of 3: The Downtown Area

In this video we head into town on I-90/94 East, go west on I-290, turn around and head back to the city on I-290 to Lower Wacker Drive. All music and equipment FAQ's are in the closing credits.

[@meesterfrench583]

As a former resident of Sprawling Business Park, TX (aka Dallas/Ft. Worth) I am so impressed with cities like Chicago which have actual rhyme and reason to their skylines. Truly an American treasure of a city. Would love to see an updated version to showcase all the new buildings!

[@Freewayjim]

Don't know when I'll be back ib Chicago, but thank you.

[@hightower6645]

Amazing city. Most beautiful skyline!!

[@CrystalClearWith8BE]

At the beginning of this video, I love the view of the Chicago skyline heading eastbound of the Kennedy Expressway. It looks really iconic, as well as the Sears Tower and the view is pretty wide. In the previous video 16-07, I also like the view of the Chicago skyline heading northbound of Dan Ryan Expressway. It was like showing tall buildings in a picture.

[@socarboy]

Without a doubt the BEST Chicago freeway tour I've seen!

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@joestanton257]

Wow I've never seen the Kennedy that open and I've lived in Chicago all my life

[@tombstonemercenariesyt2377]

Joe Stanton same here

[@buyaspb]

It depends on which day and what time you drive. Generally, from 11am to 3pm on Tues, Wedn, and Thursday the Kennedy is so free for both sides.

[@jaimerichard3681]

Not sure if you guys gives a shit but if you guys are stoned like me during the covid times then you can watch pretty much all of the latest movies on instaflixxer. I've been streaming with my gf recently xD

[@bradygreer9152]

Terrific views of Chicago, Jim. Very well done. As an aspiring KZbin freeway videographer (which is quite the mouthful), these videos are always great to see.

[@testaccount1140]

Thanks for this fantastic trip around Chicago. So many highlights for me: Morton Salt, all the roadways going over 90-94 the closer it gets to downtown, the huge interchange with 290, the way 290 goes under the building and then just ends, and lower Wacker Drive. I hope some day I get to visit this magnificent city. I want to travel it both by train and automobile.

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you for watching!

[@DarthTaiter79]

I've never been on Lower Wacker Drive. That will be another "must-do" on my Chicago list.

[@neilpatel4330]

I truly appreciate your videos through and through. Thanks for visiting my hometown and showcasing its great infrastructure. You literally passed by my place around the 90/94 and 290 interchange in the West Loop!

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you very much, always enjoy Chicago, it does have great infrastructure.

[@dwaynewladyka577]

Great video! This is why I have to return to Chicago for a longer stay. I've been to Chicago twice, but only at the airport. My late, maternal grandfather used to live and work in Chicago before going up north to Canada. He used to live there in the early 1900s, after emigrating from Poland.

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@shayaanrahman351]

I've never seen a more amazing drive through Chicago vid than this one!

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@dennisclark4370]

It just amazes me that everything New York city does, this crazy city does also

[@semineil]

Incredible stuff, Jim. Perfect synergy between the video and the music!

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you, that's what I shoot for.

[@Freewayjim]

@ETHAN DEKU - StyxLover8802Cool!

[@cjs121675]

Very nice ride! I always wondered about that lower road- Lower Wacker Drive, having raced in it in video games in the past- very cool! Very cool ride through downtown Chicago- very nice to see Lower Wacker Drive!! Impressed- and enjoying your trip this summer!!!

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@RealBron03]

thanks for the videos. been waiting on new stuff for Chicago. love driving to there from Detroit and driving to the northwest suburbs

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks for watching!

[@jameswormsley460]

great video,love the lower wacker part--reminds me playing the one part of "N.F.S The run" where i drive a chicago police car down into lower wacker while avoiding the mafia helicopter shooting at me lol like a boss!!!

[@Freewayjim]

LOL, thanks.

[@jameswormsley460]

Freewayjim anytime :)

[@osamabindrinkin40s]

Reminds me of the Dark Knight!

[@billjoe5196]

James Wormsley jl🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖

[@CheeseMasterSports]

Love it!!! I loved that sunset throughout the video and Lower Wacker Drive is really cool!!! Another great one!!

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@CheeseMasterSports]

Freewayjim You're welcome!! Always a pleasure to watch your videos

[@rwgrab]

Awesome, thanks for this series of videos. I used to live in Chicago off of North Ave and commute down the Kennedy/Dan Ryan to the Stevenson every weekday, but it was a bit more crowded when I used to drive it. Adding in Lower Wacker at the end there was a nice touch!

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you very much!

[@ca2fla]

Nice tour, Jim, especially of Lower Wacker Drive. As usual, thanks for a great ride.

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks for watching!

[@arnola88gt]

Another great video from a great channel from a great man. Thanks. My favorite city besides my hometown Los Angeles

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you very much (I prefer LA).

[@Freewayjim]

No offense but not knowing your or your personal situation how on earth could I have an educated opinion on that? you might as well flip a coin.

[@MrPhantomwolf000]

i always like your videos man..keep it up.....daytime drives are amazing...but night drives are simply awesome.....

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@rsdaddy141]

Man! Just keep getting better and better!! Great video.😀

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you so much!

[@michaelpatrusevich9278]

A wonderful entertaining ride through Chicago!

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@stephenmusisi2429]

My God always keep you safe while on the road @freewayjim

[@kingbee1500]

Wacker Drive...hey, isn't that an old Mt. Prospect '74 Dodge Monaco cop car headed east? Looks like it's got cop tires, cop shocks...it even runs good on leaded regular gas!

[@largetman]

Fix the cigarette lighter.

[@CrystalClearWith8BE]

5:37 I'm pretty sure that blue 10th Gen Honda Civic marks the 1st time that car model is seen in your road trip videos. Correct me if I'm wrong. It was new back then since it was introduced in late 2015. More models of that were sold great until 2022 as that generation was discontinued and the 11th Gen was introduced in 2021 and they started selling those just months ago.

[@ooExynosoo]

That's such a huge skyline for a 3rd largest city. Must have uptown and other little districts combined or something

[@tombstonemercenariesyt2377]

ooExynosoo ofc lmao the loop isn't the only part of the city

[@khunopie9159]

Chicago, Chicago- A town so nice I typed it twice. Featuring the best downtown area in North America and captured in all its magnificence by FWJ in his trusty Acura sedan while accompanied by the smooth pop sounds of Styx, who haven't sounded better since Paradise Theater

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@chicagolanddashcamdrives6033]

6:06 You should come back to Chicago to check out the Jane Bryne interchange as the reconstruction is already completed.

[@siemenstraffic]

At 6:29. This is definitely Lower Wacker Drive! If my estimations are correct, we should be very close to the Honorable Richard J. Daley Plaza!

[@nas2170]

I'm going to Chicago on August 12th, but very nice video of the I-90/I-94 Concurrency with I-290 despite the fact about the new flyover being constructed which will be finished before 2020.

[@DISGUYROX]

Back in the 60's, there was a cop who hid in lower wacker and took payoffs from speeders. I paid him once.lol Did you know there was a jazz drummer(not famous) named Freddie Wacker from the same Wacker family is the drive was named after? Also, when they were removing sites for the Congress Expy, those who dug up graves were quarantined for a while. One of my cousins did that.lol Love these old homey rides.

[@broden4838]

6:14 Original sign: Left: (mini-yellow sign) TRAFFIC SIGNAL AHEAD. (Green sign) Congress Pkwy (three down arrows)

[@dave11686]

Very cool video! Fun fact: Styx played my Mom's prom in Chicago, back when they were known as TW-4.

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks and that is a fun fact, cool!

[@TheSolarcatcher]

Great ride Jim. Can't wait to see your escape!

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks!

[@CrystalClearWith8BE]

2:47 & 5:19 That bridge above and non perpendicular to I-290 IL is the Historic Route 66 aka Ogden Ave.

[@leroyybrown]

It's Chicago so it's awesome

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks

[@AubreyBeauford]

I so love you vids so keep them coming. Thanks

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you! I'll have a new one every Monday through the end of the year at least.

[@AubreyBeauford]

+Freewayjim awesome I can't wait to see where you go next

[@Freewayjim]

We made our way out to Seattle on this trip.

[@AubreyBeauford]

+Freewayjim Nice

[@lilseabass4115]

Amazing keep up the awesome work Jim!

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@theblindfoldep]

They don't call it "the rusbelt" for nothing.

[@islandofthemoon]

Great! That was definitely LOWER Wacker Drive. Like the music just fine, but I guess I was hoping for The Blues Brothers.

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks...I'm not a Blue Brothers fan at all, would not have fit with the other songs either.

[@jpgm2015]

One of the best built cities in the U.S

[@deadchannelmoved9328]

Can't wait to see this on my cross country road trip... :)

[@Freewayjim]

Chicago is pretty cool, you'll enjoy it.

[@2016Ford]

Driving on I290 is the best because you get a great view of the Sears Tower and all the Expressway were planed out by Daniel Burnham Great Plan of Chicago

[@nisto1518]

I'm curious, what song is it you put in the intro? I've heard it a lot in other videos, but I've never been able to find it anywhere.

[@Freewayjim]

It's an Apple loop called "Chelsea Loft" Here is an extended version. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4aTiZ-YibB9o6c

[@nisto1518]

@@Freewayjim Ah amazing! Much appreciated. I tried send my thanks a few days ago, but KZbin was being KZbin. Thanks again!

[@Freewayjim]

@@nisto1518 That's OK, things happen.

[@detroitdrivelapse8535]

Awesome stuff Jim! Do you do any stabilization in post or is the BOSS of the PJ710 really this good?! Also, any experience shooting with DSLRs or mirrorless cameras? I'm considering getting a Lumix GX85 since it has Dual IS but i don't know how it would compare to BOSS.

[@AJonAir1]

Wow! That camera is so slick, smooth and crisp! Like a fine pale ale! Lol :)

[@Freewayjim]

It does a good job, thanks.

[@AJonAir1]

Just blown away by the clarity of it! I've seen other cameras do similar videos, and they tend to be pretty blurry. Not sure if it's the road surface or if it's secured properly.

[@Freewayjim]

It's secured properly.

[@AJonAir1]

Which helps A LOT! :) Hey, just out of curiosity, did you swing through Minneapolis on your trip?

[@Freewayjim]

Yes we did!

[@michaelwstack9585]

HELLO JIM FROM RENO: THANKS FOR THE VIDEO OF MY HOMETOWN (CHICAGO): DON’T MISS THE TRAFFIC ON THE IKE FROM DUPAGE COUNTY INTO AUSTIN BLVD. (6000WEST). IN LATER YEARS I WOULD TAKE METRA DOWNTOWN OR PICK UP THE CTA IN FOREST PARK. CAN’T WAIT TO SEE LEAVING CHICAGO AS I DID MANY MOONS AGO. MIKE

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you for watching!

[@SnoopEastwood]

Never been to the midwest except Detroit when i was probably 7 years old but it looks really cool

[@beepbeepme50]

Same here.

[@beepbeepme50]

Loved the video. Reminds me of the video game "Watchdogs"

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks

[@tombstonemercenariesyt2377]

beepbeepme50 lol watchdog's Chicago is nothing like the real city

[@mcarlkv53]

cool ride underneath chicago..didnt know they had that...

[@javiersolis5349]

Great video as always . When will you go to Miami and Orlando .

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks, I don't know when I'll be down that way.

[@Adford8]

great camera quality! How many megapixels are you using?

[@Jo.Raquel]

Your camera is so clear I ❤️ it.

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@LetsRideIllinois]

How did you manage to catch I290 in an uncongested state? I think it's the most congested expressway in Chicagoland. Sometimes I take US66 or I55 to avoid it.

[@Freewayjim]

Luck!

[@acfhs-xu4ck]

awesome video

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks

[@adamvlogs8812]

Wow never seen Kennedy that open in my life . Not even at 11pm

[@robertkerr3059]

good thing it wasnt a taylor swift song, I did not know Styx covered that , great vid

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks

[@calebharper1590]

Great video! Are those middle lanes toll lanes on I-90 and I-94?

[@joecooper3535]

Nope Chicago itself doesn’t have any tollways (other than the Skyway to Indiana), tollways are only in the suburbs and they’re extremely cheap like 75 cents with an IPass

[@upeedinalamb5297]

Lambs worldwide enjoyed this ride around Chicago. This lamb has grazed on the grass of Millennium Park. It was yummy. To get there the human used Lower Wacker Drive.

[@Freewayjim]

LOL, thank you!

[@justinhundley2456]

OMG, Freewayjim!! My word you sure like my hometown do ya? Have a blessed day Freewayjim. Liked the music and the video.

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you.

[@benmoore4529]

Home 👍♥️

[@tmoore27909]

What do you use to keep your phone/camera up?

[@Freewayjim]

It's on a tripod.

[@GilbertodeSousaMonteiro]

what about canadians freeway ? Is it worth to show them?

[@vox1138]

Jim, why the slow-mo, lit-up, psychedelic blur thing inside the tunnels? It takes away from the beauty of these rides. These vids are great, esp. without the Star Trek TMP 'wormhole' effect. Nothing surpasses the view "as is".

[@Freewayjim]

Because as-is can be boring, sometimes I will do things like that to spice up a video, it's a small thing that adds production values to the videos IMO. Really it's a small part of the overall production, can't please everyone.

[@Fanik10]

I always wanted to drive Lower Whacker.......perhaps be chased by 37 Chicago Police Cruisers.

[@AmericanRoads]

Why do so many of the overpasses look rusted? Is it the paint? Still, amazing skyline!

[@Freewayjim]

A combination of harsh weather and lack of maintenance, you see this in many northern cities.

[@AmericanRoads]

Freewayjim Btw, that detour is even sweeter than the last!

[@thephantomeagle2]

Chicago, being on Lake Michigan, can be a very humid city. The metal on the overpasses rusts in cities like Chicago, being so close to a huge body of water, due to the fact that the lake makes the air more moist than other mid west cities that aren't close to large lakes.

[@Andreas4696]

Rust belt m8.

[@annakatewilson5822]

A New Body Part Is Gonna Be Developed In 2023 Called Tail. Tail Is On The Back Side Of Your Hiny.

[@beepbeepme50]

Your video "15-04 Atlanta-I-20 East is blocked in the US for some reason. Could you reupload it?

[@Freewayjim]

No, if it's blocked it's due to the song, and I'm not going to re-make the video, it is what it is.

[@chitownbearsfan34]

+Freewayjim Couldn't you just remove the song or is it more complicated than that?

[@Freewayjim]

It's more complicated than that, there have been a couple cases where a blocked song becomes unblocked after a few weeks or months so I'm just going to leave this alone, it's not an important enough of a stretch of road to re-make it.

[@beepbeepme50]

BTW, do you know what happened to FreewayTitan?

[@Freewayjim]

No I do not.

[@Michael1966W]

How far is wrigley field?

[@Freewayjim]

I don't know offhand, you could always check it on Google Maps.

[@SEHHYIT]

5:25 DAM THAT SHIT GET OFF AT DAMEN OR ASHLAND LAST SHOT FOR THAT TRAFFIC SHIT...

[@efrem1]

That is definitely Lower Wacker Drive.

[@Fanik10]

if my estimations are correct we should be near the Honorable Richard Daley plaza!

[@itzgabbyy]

hey fwj did you do a video about driving to Oklahoma

[@Freewayjim]

I have one video from OKC kzbin.info/www/bejne/g164lq16hrdpi7c

[@itzgabbyy]

+Freewayjim thanks

[@edkollin]

I can understand why Lower Wacker Drive won an award. I have seen nothing remotely like it.

[@Freewayjim]

The re-construction project is what won the award, but yeah it's pretty unique..

[@myeasha2186]

Last year a women fell off Waker Drive onto lower Waker Drive and got hurt

[@Michael1966W]

Carol Mosley Braun outhouse

[@tvtimetravel]

Close cut-off at 5:31!

[@schwenda3727]

pretty sure his phone looked nice as well, too lol

[@vinsetta]

This must be lower Wacker Drive.

[@Freewayjim]

Yes indeed, as noted in the video at 7:00

[@draaier327]

Recorded on 6 of april 2016 ?

[@Freewayjim]

June 4, 2016 in the US it goes month, day year.

[@draaier327]

ok Thank you !!

[@chalkyblack7582]

Houston make Chicago look Small

[@detroitmetro101]

chicago is denser, with twice the population, so in land area, perhaps.

[@izack23931]

Why i cant see the video??? :(

[@izack23931]

It doesnt mater, i love your videos, you do a great work👍

[@littleconnormcd]

Open your eyes and see if that helps.

[@Freewayjim]

I don't know what to tell you, try a different device perhaps.

[@elizabethsalazar2565]

2356 et Fe

[@elizabethsalazar2565]

FWJ 467

[@haruyakisama8392]

Hi

[@Freewayjim]

Hi

[@bandersnach5565]

Can't watch the video :/

[@Freewayjim]

Sorry, might be the device you are using I don't know.

[@bandersnach5565]

+Freewayjim I'm watching on iPhone but I live in Colombia but I don't know, although I can see all of your videos, they're great!!

[@SlowedByMaple]

@@bandersnach5565 Try to Open your Eyes while Watching this Video. I think that Would Work

[@marilynbautista9783]

BoybandPH

[@boyalbadgirlwant]

Bb v bf

[@Adford8]

great camera quality! How many megapixels are you using?

[@Adford8]

great camera quality! How many megapixels are you using?

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks, It's a video camera, there are no megapixels, I shoot in 1080p at 60fps.