When traveling from Seattle to Boston, to use Highway #2 to Sault-Ste-Marie to Montreal then down 35 and 89 to Boston?Rather than travel the major highways in the US and pay the tolls?yes we know the fuel is more expensive up north.

You would only pay tolls in Indiana, part of Ohio and Massachusetts. None in Pennsylvania or New York

darsben1 wrote:You would only pay tolls in Indiana, part of Ohio and Massachusetts. None in Pennsylvania or New YorkNYS thruway is a toll road. unless you do I-88 & 81

What you need to do is get the cost of the tolls and compare it to the extra fuel cost. We were just in Alberta and it was about $1.09/liter. $1.09 x 3.785 (# of liters in a gallon) = $4.13 CAD/gal. At an exchange rate of about .76 the equivalent in USD per gallon is $3.14. Don't know what gas is across the rest of the country but here it's about $2.09 for regular. That's a big difference that will add up quickly.Other factors to consider are ease of route and time. You'd also have to do two border crossings. There's going to be pros and cons of both-you just have to decide what is best.

Using google maps, I don't see where the northern route is shorter. Might actually be 50 or 60 miles longer. I could be wrong though. It might be worth taking the north route just to avoid Chicago traffic!

Get on I-90 East and go to Boston. If you don't have an EZ-Pass get one it will save you money and time, get one for your toad two as it will be handy in the Boston area or anywhere you drive in the north east. I drove US2 this summer from Sault-Ste-Marie to Duluth. It isn't that great of a road. I wouldn't go that way unless you have lots of time.You halve to decide how much time you want to waste not taking toll roads. I think if you don't drive the NY thruway it will take at least another day maybe two to cross NY. You will also need to watch for low bridges narrow bridges and low weight limit bridges. Yes I have driven some back, non freeway roads in New England and NY.You can get a EZ-Pass on line or stop at the first store in the first state you come to that is affiliated. In your case I think Illinois is the first state.Bill

Is it cheaper? | Good Sam Community

STBRetired
Explorer
Oct 02, 2016
If you don't actually go through downtown, Chicago isn't that bad. If you get off I90 in Rockford and take I39 south to I80 then I80 east to hook back up with I90 in Indiana, there is not much construction to go through (a little on I39 and a few miles on I80). The mess where I80, I90, and I94 all come together has been redone a few years back and moves pretty well most of the time.

Going through downtown on I90 is painful in the car, I would not attempt it with the MH. Except maybe at 3:00AM.
Islandman
Explorer
Oct 02, 2016
Last spring, we drove across WA, northern ID, MT, ND, MN, and then into Ontario near Thunder Bay and across almost to Ottawa then south down to NY and across to VT, NH, and ME. Roads were fine, scenery was spectacular, the provincial CG's were good too. We had a fun time and met many nice people and traffic was no problem. Gas was a little more expensive than some other routes but seeing new country and enjoying the drive was well worth the small extra cost.
Crowe
Explorer
Oct 02, 2016
Sure beats the hassle of trying get through Chicago.

Something I didn't consider. Living near Boston my entire life has left me somewhat immune to traffic.
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Oct 01, 2016
JesLookin wrote:
We drove from Maine to Wisconsin last week. Took the northern route through Canada. It was a nice ride. Smooth roads and not much traffic. Not to mention a slower pace, saving a bit on the fuel bill. Sure beats the hassle of trying get through Chicago.

There's what I was looking for. Thanks, WE knew the western part of the trip, but not the eastern.
JesLookin
Explorer
Oct 01, 2016
We drove from Maine to Wisconsin last week. Took the northern route through Canada. It was a nice ride. Smooth roads and not much traffic. Not to mention a slower pace, saving a bit on the fuel bill. Sure beats the hassle of trying get through Chicago.
WILDEBILL308
Explorer II
Oct 01, 2016
Lauren wrote:
"Highest price for diesel this summer was in the west I think it was $2.45"

Depends on how you define "the west". We just got back from 6500 miles in AZ, UT, ID, OR (most of the time), NV and CA. Average was just at $2.60 but CA was always over $3 and paid $3.999 once with $3.50ish being very common.

You need to get GasBuddy and use it. Right now I can find diesel for $2.49 in Fresno. $2.45 in Portland Or $2.49 in Bakersfield. Seriously get Gasbuddy and plan your fuel stops.
Bill
tropical_ron
Explorer
Oct 01, 2016
I would say go for it if you have never driven across Canada before. We have, it is no longer on our bucket list. Just enjoy the scenery. Take your time, much less congestion. Meet nice folks along the way. Roads and routes will be ok. Enjoy.
Lauren
Explorer
Oct 01, 2016
"Highest price for diesel this summer was in the west I think it was $2.45"

Depends on how you define "the west". We just got back from 6500 miles in AZ, UT, ID, OR (most of the time), NV and CA. Average was just at $2.60 but CA was always over $3 and paid $3.999 once with $3.50ish being very common.
DrewE
Explorer II
Oct 01, 2016
Tom/Barb wrote:
darsben1 wrote:

NO I86 to I 88 only 1/2 hour longer than Thruway and NO TOLL through New York

But they were pot holed beyond belief in 2014. any better now.

I was on them maybe a month ago. It is much improved from previously. The first few miles of I-88 north of Binghamton are still rather rough, but that's about it; there's no real reason to avoid the roads.
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Oct 01, 2016
darsben1 wrote:
Get on I-90 East and go to Boston.

I hate that road thru down town Chicago, we usually drop from 90 to 80 by 29 south. then turn east again, but then you still have that I-80 construction mess.
We have been the #2 route several times to the Mackinac bridge then south to port Huron and across to Buffalo then 90 east.
Buffalo = worst place ever to cross the border. then mess it up with the trucks for the next 6-8 hours.