Chicago, IL

united states

Chicago anchors the Midwest from its Lake Michigan shoreline, where major interstates like I-94, I-90, and I-55 converge like spokes on a wheel. The flat prairie terrain makes for easy driving, though winter snow can complicate travel. O'Hare Airport sits 17 miles northwest of downtown via I-90. The city handles more freight rail traffic than anywhere else in North America, with massive rail yards sorting cargo from coast to coast.