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rpergler's avatar
rpergler
Explorer
Jan 04, 2015

Raleigh to Grand Rapids MI

How is the drive from Raleigh to Grand Rapids MI? Driving a 1998 Dodge Ram 2500 V10 w/full size bed and extend cab pulling a 26 ft Dutchman 5th wheel. We will be doing that in April. Going to FL this winter and along the coast to Raleigh and back home from there. Any suggestions for a good easy route?
  • RP,

    You say home like it is GR. Correct?
    If yes, I don't need to tell you about Michigan weather.
    April is very unpredictable. If I were making that trek, I would be sure water and propane were full and add an extra day of unplanned camping.

    As to how I would do it, I would leave Raleigh for headed west on I-40 for Knowville. At Knowville change to I-75 North to Cincinnati . Both Cinci and Indianapolis have ring roads. Take I-74 out of Cinci to Indi. Use I-69 north out of Indi and you are almost home.

    You could also go west on I-64 from Lexington to Louisville and then go north on I-65 to Indi. We don't go that way because we are usually going to the FMCA free camp in Cinci when we go north or south.

    Matt
  • Enter start and stop in google maps (or your site of choice) and it will give you turn by turn directions.

    Yeah, pay attention to the weather but by mid april, it's usually not a big deal.
  • We live in Big Rapids, MI and travel down south frequently. Of course you never know weather-wise with unplanned for weather. If you plan your specific leave time with one eye to the weather maps, you should be okay. We nearly always come up through Lexington and Louisville, up to Indi. And on up.
    We will be heading down south to Florida in March much the same way!
  • On our way back from FL to MI we want to go up to Raleigh to visit relatives end of April. Which way is better, easier, lower hills, less mountains: Raleigh to Knoxville on 40 to 75, or Raleigh to Charleston on 77? Thank you for your ideas. We really want to avoid steep hills.
  • Matt_Colie wrote:
    RP,

    You could also go west on I-64 from Lexington to Louisville and then go north on I-65 to Indi. We don't go that way because we are usually going to the FMCA free camp in Cinci when we go north or south.
    Matt


    Matt, you mean the FMCA still will let you stay for free...haven't shut it down yet...seems like all the benefits of joining the FMCA have slowly being done away with...and the best the mail forwarding...also went by the wayside....very disappointing..Chuck
  • ct1964ups wrote:
    Matt_Colie wrote:
    RP,

    You could also go west on I-64 from Lexington to Louisville and then go north on I-65 to Indi. We don't go that way because we are usually going to the FMCA free camp in Cinci when we go north or south.
    Matt


    Matt, you mean the FMCA still will let you stay for free...haven't shut it down yet...seems like all the benefits of joining the FMCA have slowly being done away with...and the best the mail forwarding...also went by the wayside....very disappointing..Chuck


    Chuck,
    Actually, It is still open and the coach recovery thing is back on too. I don't know about the mail forwarding because we don't use it. The facility is still there and I know of others that do use it.

    Matt