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Heading to the rally from Western New York, the usual route takes me through the Chicago area, which I would really like to avoid this time around.
Anyone have a favorite route to avoid Chicago? Go through Fort Wayne? Anyone?
Harry
In 2012 I rode to California from Boston. I crossed into Canada and went over to Grand Rapids, MI. Just north of there in Muskegon I took a high-speed ferry across Lake Michigan to Milwaukee.
John, did you book the ferry passage for a specific date and time, or were you able to just show up and buy a ticket at the terminal?
Thanks,
Harry
We like going around the north side of the lakes in Canada. Back into the US at the Soo and then through the Michigan UP, or on to Thunder Bay north of Duluth.
If you want a rural route, you could drop down at Toledo to Ft Wayne, over to Kankakee, IL, then over through Streator, IL and head up I-39 to I-80.
Or continue on to South Bend and start dropping down and make your way over to Kankakee, Streator, etc.
I like the rural flat corn and soybean fields vs the Chicago concrete. But if you want fast, agree with previous poster, I-80 at 6 AM is not bad.
My parents are in South Bend so i'm up there only 4/5 times/year. Be aware, there has been a lot of construction on I-80 between Chi and South Bend with stop and go traffic.
That's the kind of route I am seriously considering.If you want a rural route, you could drop down at Toledo to Ft Wayne, over to Kankakee, IL, then over through Streator, IL and head up I-39 to I-80.
An early transit of the Chicago area would be nice if I can arrange it. Corn and bean fields sound a lot better than wall-to-wall semi's and cars running a slalom race across I-80.I like the rural flat corn and soybean fields vs the Chicago concrete. But if you want fast, agree with previous poster, I-80 at 6 AM is not bad.
My last two trips along I-80 adjacent to Chicago involved temps of 95 F both times. Stop and go in that area in that heat would be a nightmare.My parents are in South Bend so i'm up there only 4/5 times/year. Be aware, there has been a lot of construction on I-80 between Chi and South Bend with stop and go traffic.
The ferry rides look interesting, but I hesitate to commit to a set date and time for a crossing. I'd like my extra riding to be in Colorado and Utah, so my preference would be a shorter ride out to those areas.
Harry
I have used the express ferry four times traveling east to west on it and like it a lot. All were in the mid July to early August time frame. I did not have a reservation for any of them. I did have my own tie-downs though I did not use them once on the ferry. A more direct route has it advantages; however, I would keep the express ferry as an option for one leg of the round trip.
Enjoy a fun and safe route whatever the route you choose.
they say they provide tie-downs for motorcycles.
Harry
Be aware, there has been a lot of construction on I-80 between Chi and South Bend with stop and go traffic.
Another option is to take 36 from Indianapolis to Denver.
We have been on parts of this route but not all of it.