Need a little advice from the group. We are near Fergus Falls, MN on our way from home in Alaska to New England for the fall season. Looking at the map there is a lot of foolishness going thru Chicago and all the toll roads all the way to NY.So my question is should we go north around the top of MI, put up with the Chicago madness or venture a little further south before heading east and then north?. I don't want to go thru Canada again because of border issues with food, etc so it's US only. No particular hurry as long as we get there before the leaves turn which might be a little late this year. We do mostly Walmart overnights until we get to the northeast.

The UP is always pretty. I would go that way.

I always avoid Chicago like the plague because of the traffic. I just drove from Minneapolis to Watkins Glen NY. We stopped in Niagara Falls for 5 days and it was great. Going north through Michigan is OK adds about 140 miles over the other way, Mackinac Island is great if you have not been thereI take I39 all the way south and hit I80 near LaSalle Illinois smooth sailing all the wayGoing east is another matter the tolls in Indiana, Ohio and New York were huge for us MH towing - might not be bad for you

I'm on my way to Denver from Michigan. I went over the mighty Mac and on up along Superior and over to Lake Itasca Mn to the Mississippi headwaters just out of Bemidji mn. It was about 150 miles more to go through the UP to Denver and another 150 to veer off and up to the head waters. It's money well spent. You can smell diesel fumes and pig poo or look at the shores of lake Michigan. Don't forget to stop at Cut river bridge. :)

Since you are going to New England and don't want to go through Canada, I don't think you will avoid the tollways across northern Indiana and Ohio. Well, Ohio at least.I would try to avoid the interstates that go right through Chicago. On one hand, if you go during non rush hour, it would probably be fine. OTOH, why chance it, if you don't mind driving a bit farther. As mentioned above, you can take I-39 to I-80. It will be all rural until it isn't. :) There is no good way for you to miss the heavy traffic around the bottom of Lake Michigan on I-80. But that stretch is a lot better than it used to be. Usually it is going at full speed but high density, for about 10-15 miles. Just pick a center lane and try to hang out there. Once past I-65 it's smooth sailing. That's about where you get onto the Indiana Tollway anyhow. There are two places to get onto the Tollway, you want the second one, which is around Lake Station IIRC. Just follow I-80 East.I mean, sure you can go through Michigan instead. But you are adding a lot of miles, and non-interstate at that, so only you can decide that.

rr2254545 wrote:I always avoid Chicago like the plague because of the traffic. Yep. :E

chicago area routing help | Good Sam Community

earlvillestu
Explorer
Sep 20, 2015
brooks379 wrote:
This is the way I have gone when I don't want to mess with all the Chicago traffic and all the tolls. I have taken this way with my TT and my semi many, many times...

I 90 to IL then pick up I 39 south to I 80 into I 94 east to highway 2 east pick up 20east all the way to the Ohio line 49 south to 6 east around Sandusky 2 east to Free I90 east through the rest of Ohio Through PA....I86 east (they have repaired most all of it ) through southern NY to Binghamton, NY I 81 north (or stay on 81 to NY17 TO I 84 EAST TO CT then I 90 mass pike ) to I 88 N/E to the NY Thruway and into the Mass Pike.

The only toll will be a small one south of Chicago on I 80 and from Schenectady, NY on the NY thruway and then the Mass pike. Sounds complicated but it is a good way to go to avoid tolls and traffic. I have been running across that way since the early 90's Some 2 lane some 4 lane.

You'll also hit a toll on I90/I39 just inside the Illinois border.
Romer1
Explorer
Sep 19, 2015
WDW.BWV wrote:
Romer1 wrote:
I 39 to I 80 to exit 151 on OH tpk which is 480 to 271. Unless you catch 80 around Chicago at rush hour, it's usually 55 -60 mph all the way. In June with I=Pass tolls for me were $46.71 thru IN & OH. Worth it to me for no lights, etc, plus having time constraints.

P.S. Avoid I 86 in NY at all costs

What's wrong with I-86.? With minor exceptions it's all been rebuilt, and the traffic is light. Am I missing something?

The section thru the Indian reservation is still terrible from a conversation I had with another camper in Watkins Glen in June. They had just come across it. They said the rest was much improved. When I drove it in 2014 it would shake your teeth out.
WDW_BWV
Explorer
Sep 19, 2015
Romer1 wrote:
I 39 to I 80 to exit 151 on OH tpk which is 480 to 271. Unless you catch 80 around Chicago at rush hour, it's usually 55 -60 mph all the way. In June with I=Pass tolls for me were $46.71 thru IN & OH. Worth it to me for no lights, etc, plus having time constraints.

P.S. Avoid I 86 in NY at all costs

What's wrong with I-86.? With minor exceptions it's all been rebuilt, and the traffic is light. Am I missing something?
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Sep 17, 2015
Go through Upper Michigan. You might get enough fall color that you won't have to drive all the way to New England! :) Have a good trip. Michigan is gorgeous.
brooks379
Explorer
Sep 16, 2015
This is the way I have gone when I don't want to mess with all the Chicago traffic and all the tolls. I have taken this way with my TT and my semi many, many times...

I 90 to IL then pick up I 39 south to I 80 into I 94 east to highway 2 east pick up 20east all the way to the Ohio line 49 south to 6 east around Sandusky 2 east to Free I90 east through the rest of Ohio Through PA....I86 east (they have repaired most all of it ) through southern NY to Binghamton, NY I 81 north (or stay on 81 to NY17 TO I 84 EAST TO CT then I 90 mass pike ) to I 88 N/E to the NY Thruway and into the Mass Pike.

The only toll will be a small one south of Chicago on I 80 and from Schenectady, NY on the NY thruway and then the Mass pike. Sounds complicated but it is a good way to go to avoid tolls and traffic. I have been running across that way since the early 90's Some 2 lane some 4 lane.
Romer1
Explorer
Sep 16, 2015
I 39 to I 80 to exit 151 on OH tpk which is 480 to 271. Unless you catch 80 around Chicago at rush hour, it's usually 55 -60 mph all the way. In June with I=Pass tolls for me were $46.71 thru IN & OH. Worth it to me for no lights, etc, plus having time constraints.

P.S. Avoid I 86 in NY at all costs
schlep1967
Nomad
Sep 16, 2015
Bedlam wrote:
I-35 to I-380 to I-80 to I-39 to I-74 to I-70 to I-71 to I-90 adds about 150 miles to your trip without Chicago or tolls.

This but I would stay on I-70 to the PA turnpike to I-99 to I-80. Pa turnpike would cost you $12.80 cash or $9.05 if you have EZ-Pass.
Reddog1
Explorer II
Sep 16, 2015
Moved from the TC Forum

Wayne
Moderator
Bedlam
Moderator
Sep 16, 2015
I-35 to I-380 to I-80 to I-39 to I-74 to I-70 to I-71 to I-90 adds about 150 miles to your trip without Chicago or tolls.
gbopp
Explorer
Sep 16, 2015
rr2254545 wrote:
I always avoid Chicago like the plague because of the traffic.

Yep. :E