Chicago how I don’t love you

Living in Chicago, we really don't have a lot of choices other than to try and hit I-80/90/94 at some point when the trucks are usually asleep. I've gotten used to it, and all of the "take a back road" alternatives really aren't much better in that you'll hit a bunch of stoplights along the way.

If you really have your mind set, swing south via Indianapolis and Peoria, and then back up to I-80 but that adds 170 miles of driving and at least two maybe three hours of driving.

Just curious. How do you deal with Canada US border with COVID?

Thanks everyone, feeling better about choices. Good to know Greyhook that we will feel like we are at home on the 401 with rude drivers.

I'm another one saying go north through Michigan (or cross into Michigan at Sault St Marie) - it's a beautiful state, the Upper Peninsula rivals Alaska for remoteness; and the drive westward on US2 is easy.

We're from the Buffalo area. I have driven extensively through Toronto for my job as a truck driver. If you can handle Toronto traffic, Chicago is not much different. We've gone through there a couple times and haven't had any problems, but we did it relatively early on a Sunday. Also, I would cross at Huron, you'll avoid NYS tolls and I believe it'd be shorter.
Along the 90 in South Dakota, there's the Corn Palace in Mitchell that's interesting. There's a Cabela's in the same town to overnight in for free. Before you hit Rushmore, there's Badlands National Park which is awesome. We stayed at Rafter J CG near Rushmore, loved it. People will say to visit Wall Drug between Badlands and Rushmore, we never have, seemed like a tourist trap.

Go North. Go South. Avoid Chicago. Many options
Nightmare traffic. Nightmare construction.

ken56 wrote:
How about crossing at Port Huron and going up to Mackinaw and pick up US 2? Wonderful small towns to go through in the thumb and if you wanted to pick up 75 north you could do it in Bay City. Going up US 23 along lake Huron is a nice drive too. Lots of things to seee in the Upper Peninsula too.

Agree that would be my preferred route for sanity's sake. It'll take more time, though.

How about crossing at Port Huron and going up to Mackinaw and pick up US 2? Wonderful small towns to go through in the thumb and if you wanted to pick up 75 north you could do it in Bay City. Going up US 23 along lake Huron is a nice drive too. Lots of things to seee in the Upper Peninsula too.

Just went thru last week I-94 to I-80 west to Quad Cities (not going north right now). It still sucks. Try to go off peak but so much truck traffic it's still not fun.

PS: The toll booths were closed but you are still expected to pay. A week later, our plate doesn't show up in their web system.

My philosophy about traveling through or near big cities, is to avoid rush hour and take the shortest route, even if it means going through the heart of the city.

Get to the out skirts of the city before 6AM or after 8PM. Evening sports events will have started by them. Some cities have a bit of a lull in the late morning/early afternoon, but pre 6AM you should sail right through.