No toll route Brattleboro, VT to Elkhart, IN

I-84W to Scranton PA area
I-81S south to I-80W
I-80W to I-76W near Youngstown OH
I-76W to I-71S TO Mansfield OH
US-30W to Fort Wayne IN
I469 over the top to I69S
I-69S to US-30W
US-33N to Elkhart
or
Us-30W to US-31N Plymouth IN

Another option is when you get to I-71 you go north toward Cleveland catch I-480W and follow it onto US-20W to Elkhart IN

Driven both ways in a semi many times. US-20 will take you more through Amish Country. Pretty but you got to keep an eye open for buggies.

If you have a GPS unit, many have the option to choose routes without going on toll roads. Usually longer, more traffic, as these route are through small towns and cities.

Alternate routes are definitely more leisurely and less boring. However, being cheaper is questionable. The added mileage and stop and go traffic through towns costs more for fuel and negates the savings in tolls.

Thanks to you folks for the replies, much appreciated. 1. will check out the route suggestions and options. 2. We do not currently have a Garmin, Used to, but had problems with things like sending us down the wrong roads,etc. Perhaps they are improved. 3. Good point about the fuel consumption, DW says it may be a reasonable trade off from her view, as she did not like the miles and miles of superslab.

We drove route 30 from Mansfield OH to Fort Wayne IN back in 2012. It's all divided highway, so no issues with slow downs or traffic lights in small towns. No heavy truck traffic either.

We take I-88 to I-86 across the NY's Southern Tier, past Corning Glass, and through the Finger Lakes Wine Region and by Jamestown (Lucille Ball's very proud hometown) every Fall when we visit family in Indianapolis. Much to see and do if you have the time to stop along the way and the 2 highways are divided all the way through NY.

You could pick up US-20 at the Pennsylvania line. It parallels I-90 pretty much all the way to Elkhart. We have taken 90 to Elkhart in the past and have to agree it is pretty boring.

Go through Canada. Then cross back to the U.S. at Sarnia/Port Huron, MI. Take I-69 to Lansing and then south via I-69 to I-94. West on 94 to Kalamazoo and US-131 south into Indiana.

X2 on Jamestown, NY. We traveled from IN to Western NY in July 2013 (we used I-90). Jamestown, NY has several nice historical / museum attractions which we enjoyed. Also nearby is the Chautauqua Institute, Chautauqua, NY (with Lake Chautauqua and cg is there). We did not allow enough time on our trip to see the Institute, so that is on the list for future trip. But also, there's a scenic road along Lake Chautauqua which we enjoyed. You may find more info of sightseeing in this area at TripAdvisor.com if you have time to visit local sites.

As an aside, cgs where we stayed and liked in July 2013:

1) above poster mentions route through Mansfield, OH. We stayed at the Mansfield, OH KOA - it is very close to US 30 exit, and would stay at this KOA again. It has a 'newer' section (so trees still young, but good SAT reception in this section). The established section has several seasonal/permanent RVs but all seemed well kept. This cg is great if you travel with children as it has a long list including jump pillow, pool, etc. They have a fishing pond (catch & release). Staff went out of there way to give us driving directions to local attractions, and excellent friendly cg staff. Very pet friendly. Cell reception on At&T was poor there, but our wifi hot spot on Verizon had a strong signal. If you have a KOA membership, there is a discount, but rates seem in line with all that is available. (Disclaimer: I do not work for, no relationship with KOA.)

2) If using I-90, the Cleveland Streetsboro KOA is very close to the interstate. We also stayed here 1 night coming & one night returning from Western NY area. This KOA is gated, and does have several seasonal/permanent RV sites but are generally well kept. They usually restrict you to 3 nights here as well. 50 amp/FHU/pull-through sites, pet friendly, make staying en-route during a longer trip destination easy and sites long enough you do not have to unhook toad if just overnight as we were. Not much for children to do, no pool, however, the pond has an area set aside for swimming, and a separate area of the pond for fishing (you may keep & clean fish you catch I believe).

3) In Western NY, using I-90 route, we stayed at Westfield NY KOA. This was convenient to go to Erie , PA (30 minutes, but our date in July missed seeing the Tall Ships in port there. Go in May or Sept to see a ship when it is in port at Erie, PA.) We stayed in this KOA for a week, and was an easy toad drive to see Jamestown, NY attractions, and others in the area (check local sites to see at TripAdvisor.com). This KOA is 300 yds from shores of Lake Erie (NY), and less than a mile from boat ramps/launch at Barcelona, NY. We very much enjoyed sunsets over Lake Erie by the KOA and from the Barcelona, NY harbor. If you go to the harbor, bring bread to feed the gulls, geese, and ducks. There is a small beach access at the harbor too, if you want to 'swim or wade' near the shoreline. This KOA is quiet, smaller cg, lots are shaded, there is a pool, but not much else at this KOA as far as 'children' oriented activities. Staff are extremely helpful, friendly, and we enjoyed the peaceful setting. KOA is pet friendly, and the municipally owned park across the street from KOA entrance is right on Lake Erie (but high and overlooks the lake, no access from park grounds), pets on leash are allowed in the park, picnic tables, etc. We look forward to returning for another week in 2014! (Disclaimer: not paid by,& no relationship with TripAdvisor or KOA.)

4) in May of 2012, we stayed in two cgs in Elkhart, IN area:

- Our favorite was Elkhart Campgrounds (exit 92 - I80/90) -- This is a GS campground, so discount with your GS member card here as well. Sites were very nice, well kept, very clean cg. Staff was very nice to work with, and cg is pet friendly. It is easy access to all local sightseeing in South Bend, IN, and Elkhart, IN.

- We also stayed a couple nights at the Middlebury Exit KOA, Middlebury, IN. Smaller than the Elkhart Campgrounds, but also very well kept, friendly staff, pets welcome and we would stay there again. This KOA was closer to Amish country attractions, and we visited an historic Mill nearby. Fishing is available here as well.

We thank all who posted route info on this thread, as we plan a trip from IN to VT area in 2014. Hope OP will post route and cgs you use on your trip, too!

FWIW - we travel in 36' MH, toad, with a pet who thinks he is a people-LOL

Best wishes for safe & happy trip!

3oaks wrote:
Alternate routes are definitely more leisurely and less boring. However, being cheaper is questionable. The added mileage and stop and go traffic through towns costs more for fuel and negates the savings in tolls.

I just did a no-toll run from RI to Wisconsin & back...taking US30, there were no real traffic delays between Gary, IN and Youngstown, OH.

Bonus: gas is a lot cheaper than on the tollways!

Several mentions of staying around Mansfield Ohio. If you do a must visit is the old Ohio State Penitentiary where the Shaw Shank Redemption was filmed. After the visit you won't so much as roll through a stop sign! I service dental equip from prisons in many states but that place really gives me the creeps.