A noisy Jeep wheel bearing should be treated as fairly urgent, ideally addressed within days rather than weeks. The noise means wear has already started, and a bearing can go from noisy to failing with little warning, which poses a real safety risk if it happens while you're driving.
Unlike some car problems that develop slowly and predictably, a wheel bearing's decline isn't always gradual. It can hum quietly for a while, then worsen quickly once internal wear reaches a certain point, as the rollers and races inside grind against each other, generating more heat and causing further damage the longer it continues. That's part of what makes it different from something like a squeaky belt you can reasonably put off for a bit.
The level of urgency also depends on how the noise is behaving. If it's mild and consistent, you likely have some time to schedule it, though sooner is always better. If the noise is getting louder quickly, if you feel any vibration or looseness in the steering, or if you hear a grinding or clicking sound, especially while turning, that's a sign the bearing has progressed further. You shouldn't put off a visit any longer. Highway driving, in particular, puts more load and heat on a worn bearing than slow city streets do.
If you're planning any longer drives out of Ann Arbor, whether that's a highway commute or a weekend trip, a noisy wheel bearing is worth addressing before you go rather than after. Sustained higher speeds are exactly what turn a manageable noise into an urgent problem partway through a trip, which is a far less convenient time to deal with it than from your own driveway.
Given how unpredictable a failing bearing can be, it's better to treat any wheel bearing noise as something to check soon rather than something to monitor for a while. Hoover Street Auto Repair in Ann Arbor can usually get your Jeep in quickly to listen to the noise and check for play, giving you a clear sense of how much time you realistically have. If you are going on a driving holiday or business trip, get a free vehicle inspection with our oil change service to put your mind at ease about any wheel-bearing noise.