CHICAGO - Driving on Legendary Lower Wacker Drive

Wacker Drive is a major multilevel street in Chicago, Illinois, running along the south side of the main branch and the east side of the south branch of the Chicago River in the Loop.

The vast majority of the street is double-decked; the upper level intended for local traffic, and the lower level for through-traffic and trucks serving buildings on the road (and originally a dock). It is sometimes cited as a precursor to the modern freeway, though when it was built the idea was that pleasure vehicles would use the upper level. It is the only street in the city that is prefixed with all four cardinal directions, albeit on different parts of its route. The drive is named for early 20th century Chicago businessman and city planner Charles H. Wacker.

The upper level is normally known as Upper Wacker Drive and the lower level is Lower Wacker Drive. A short part has a third level, sometimes called Lower Lower Wacker Drive.

[kc]

I remember driving in high school and I got lost down here one day. I thought it was never going to end.

[lisaharris]

This is a beautiful city. I just completed a tour of the city and our tour bus travelled through the tunnels. It’s amazing how it seems it’s another life there.

[Xkikax]

It’s so cool that there’s traffic lights inside a tunnel! That tunnel is massive, I like it! It’s like basically a whole underground street. I love Chicago! I live here on the southern part like 50 feet from Indiana. I barely get to go up North where it’s beautiful so I always watch Chicago videos! My favorite city ❤

[joaquinhernandez]

This really helped me out as a truck driver looking where I needed to go 👍

[LowDoseAspirin]

Nice ride proving it's possible to drive from the old post office to Navy Pier & back in 15 minutes 😏

[lsrxc]

Wish I saw this 2 weeks ago. Wrong lane for the Wacker exit by the LSD/split at Navy Pier. Missed the 290 exit and ended up on Harrison. Thanks for this. Hope your suspension didn't get bashed with all of the potholes and surface breaks.

[Samson-bfxi]

thanks for this video. I loose track when I'm looking for the spot hero parking garage on stetson due to GPS losing signal but this video allowed me to navigate easy this time around.

[infamouschris]

It's like another world, strange but fascinating. It's just a shame you didn't ride at the lowest level. But thanks anyway, good video!

[truckerchet]

When I was a kid we used to drag race down there

[TYSofficial]

Lower Wacker Drive is just so dang interesting

[yaakovreed]

No wonder its hard to navigate with spray painted signage. @ 5:23

[broden]

0:27 Kinda wished they had that weird exit sign left intact before the reconstruction

[driving-walking-travel]

What camera do you use to record the video?

[creatormom]

What are the cars parked to the right?

[EulersRoadTrippin]

Great quality. Using a go pro? Do you put it on your roof?

[AlphaQ]

I found my self in there accidentally. Was in my truck terminal in Gary Indiana wanted some food from Chicago so drove in.. it routed me in Lower wacker and I was confused as phaq... but made my way through and it let me out side that maze... and the gps took me to the wrong restaurant .. the route to the One I was going for didn't take me back in. I remember just thinking.. WTF is this?
Now I know... and the part there is a lower Wacker than that too.. That also blew my mind....

[KeweezyGutta]

Belle Isle Island =Taft parkway Pkwy Peoria AZ Ave princess Lavengra Williams Taft St SE

[KeweezyGutta]

Belle Isle Island =Taft parkway Pkwy Peoria AZ Ave princess Lavengra Williams Taft St SE ferry wheels 🎡

[KeweezyGutta]

Princess Karaoke lora night with Terra princess Lavengra Williams Taft rafting Kate tran trailhead trailers trailing training center for winter sinister sister's anniversary party sunset at Wacker whacker monster jam on my birthday party at Wacker whacker monster jam with my mom in law school she is The rafter of the world and The first one is one of my favorites from New world power generations revolution revolutionary.Taft

[KeweezyGutta]

Prasiley Park parade graffiti craft Grafton
Terrica