Chicago to Upper state New York and beyond questions....

We live in the western burbs and have family in far upstate NY. I always go I-94 to I-69. Cross into Canada at Sarnia, take 402 straight east to the 401. Usually cross back into he States at Ogdensburg. If vacationing I would use the Thousand Islands Bridge (can see my family's old cottage on the river from there!) and check out the Alexander Bay area.