Morning commutes in Chicago are usually a gamble, but if you were anywhere near the lakefront today, January 18, 2026, you know things got messy fast. Between a tragic early-morning wreck and the massive influx of fans headed toward Soldier Field for the NFC Divisional Playoffs, DuSable Lake Shore Drive—or just "The Drive" for anyone who actually lives here—has been a gauntlet.
Honestly, the day started on the worst possible note.
Around 2:21 a.m., while most of the city was still asleep, a car carrying five people was traveling northbound near the junction of the Stevenson Expressway and McCormick Place. According to Chicago Police, the driver lost control of the vehicle, slammed into a pole, and then ricocheted into the median.
It was a violent impact. Paramedics rushed all five occupants to the University of Chicago Medical Center. While the driver and three others are reportedly in good condition, one woman suffered traumatic injuries and didn't make it. She was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after arrival. The Major Accident Investigation Unit spent the pre-dawn hours at the scene, which meant heavy closures on the South Side stretch of the drive long before the sun even hit the skyline.
The Gridlock at Soldier Field
If you've ever tried to navigate the Near South Side during a Bears playoff game, you know the vibe. But today is different. It’s the NFC Divisional Round against the Los Angeles Rams.
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The 5:30 p.m. kickoff time meant that by early afternoon, traffic on DuSable Lake Shore Drive was basically a parking lot from 31st Street all the way up to Roosevelt Road. You’ve got thousands of fans braving the single-digit wind chills, mixed with the usual Sunday drivers who forgot there was a game.
Check this out: the "Playoff Surge" isn't just a term for the scoreboard. Traffic data showed speeds dropping to under 10 mph for several miles leading up to the stadium. If you didn't leave your house two hours early, you likely missed the coin toss.
Weather and Road Conditions: The Silent Killer
It’s cold. Like, "hurt your face" cold. While the sky looked clear for parts of the day, the temperature has been hovering around 18°F, and it's expected to drop to 8°F by the time the game ends.
Here is what most people get wrong about winter driving on the Drive: it’s not the snow you see; it’s the ice you don’t. The Chicago Park District actually had to close sections of the Lakefront Trail today—specifically from North Avenue to Ohio Street—because of dangerous conditions and spray-over from the lake. That same moisture can create "black ice" on the roadway, especially near the curves at Oak Street and the S-curve by Wacker.
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- Pavement Temps: While the air is 18°F, the road surface can be even colder, causing immediate freezing of any mist.
- Wind Gusts: We saw gusts up to 23 mph today. On an elevated road like the Drive, that’s enough to push a high-profile vehicle like a van or SUV right out of its lane.
Why the South Side Closures Mattered
The early morning fatal crash near McCormick Place created a ripple effect that lasted for hours. When a major accident happens near the Stevenson (I-55) interchange, it chokes off one of the primary arteries for people coming into the city from the southwest suburbs.
By 7:00 a.m., crews were still cleaning up debris and investigating the site. This forced a massive amount of traffic onto State Street and Michigan Avenue, which simply aren't designed to handle "LSD-level" volume. If you felt like your GPS was lying to you this morning, it probably was—real-time updates often struggle to keep up with the cascading delays caused by a full-stop investigation.
Navigating the "Redefine the Drive" Context
It’s worth mentioning that all this chaos happens against the backdrop of the ongoing "Redefine the Drive" project. There’s been a ton of debate lately—especially this past year—about how to make the north end of DuSable Lake Shore Drive safer.
Advocates want more transit and fewer lanes; drivers just want to get to work without hitting a 20-minute delay. Today’s tragic accident on the South Side serves as a grim reminder of why the city is obsessed with these redesigns. High speeds mixed with fixed objects like poles and medians are a recipe for disaster, especially when you add Chicago's unpredictable January elements into the mix.
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How to Handle the Drive for the Rest of the Night
If you are currently stuck in traffic or planning to head out to pick up a fan from the game, here is the ground truth. The northbound lanes are finally clear of the morning accident debris, but the southbound lanes near Soldier Field are going to be a nightmare until at least 10:00 p.m.
Basically, avoid the Museum Campus area if you can.
The bridge lifts aren't an issue this time of year, but the Arctic front pushing through means the road is going to get slicker as the sun stays down. If you're driving, don't rely on your cruise control. Honestly, just turn it off. On bridges and overpasses, cruise control can actually cause your wheels to spin out if you hit a patch of ice.
Actionable Steps for Chicago Drivers Tonight
- Check the "Crib" Temps: Local meteorologists often look at the "Chicago Crib" water temps (currently around 40°F). When that relatively "warm" water air hits the 8°F air, you get localized fog and slickness. Be ready for sudden visibility drops near the water.
- Monitor the Pulse: Use the IDOT (Illinois Department of Transportation) sensors rather than just Google Maps. They give more accurate "speed over ground" data for the specific stretches between Roosevelt and 31st.
- Alternative Routes: If the Drive is backed up, the Dan Ryan (I-94) is usually the "logical" backup, but with the Bears game letting out, it'll be just as slammed. Your best bet for North-South travel tonight is actually Western Avenue or Ashland if you have the patience for stoplights.
Safety on the Drive isn't just about how you drive; it's about knowing when to stay off it. Today was a tough reminder of that. Keep your eyes on the road, leave the phone alone, and give the plows and salt trucks the room they need to work as the temperatures continue to crater tonight.