I want your input....Roadtrip
01-19-2019, 07:44 PM
#41
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Man do I hear you! I do not relish going through Chicago and I want to avoid it. My navigation problem is, I am coming from St. Paul Minn through Illinois heading to Niagara Falls and so far I can’t figure out how to nav around Chicago without making a major detour or spending another night heading to Niagara Falls.
01-19-2019, 08:07 PM
#42
Race Director
Man do I hear you! I do not relish going through Chicago and I want to avoid it. My navigation problem is, I am coming from St. Paul Minn through Illinois heading to Niagara Falls and so far I can’t figure out how to nav around Chicago without making a major detour or spending another night heading to Niagara Falls.
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Maxie2U (01-20-2019)
01-19-2019, 08:15 PM
#43
Instructor
As a trucker of over 35 yrs,I’d suggest you look at Interstate 90 thru Rockford, ill and catch Interstate 39 south to interstate 80 east. It’s the lesser of 2 evils and will take you south of the Windy City. You miss most traffic. Also time is a factor as you probably well know. Between 1000 and 1400 are the best daytime hours. God Bless,have fun.
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Maxie2U (01-20-2019)
01-19-2019, 08:25 PM
#44
Race Director
As mentioned using I-39 is better but you still have to use I-80 on the southside of Chicago which can be a pain in the ***. Been thru there many times, not fun during the day or normal rush hour times. By going thru the UP of Michigan, minor traffic, beautiful country and when you cross over the Mackinac Bridge to the lower peninsula, the view is still great. To repeat myself, the shortest route to Niagara Falls is thru Canada, via Port Huron, Mi..
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Maxie2U (01-20-2019)
01-19-2019, 11:06 PM
#45
Race Director
If you choose the Mackinac bridge route and want a great S.B.west coast Michigan ride, let me know. You will not be disappointed but it would include additional travel time.
I understand, from my own travels, that sometimes we want a quick easy route and sometimes a more scenic route, depending on our scheduled time frame.
Enjoy your trip and keep us informed because I will be heading west after Labor Day to N.W.Montana and further south to see many sites, especially the National Parks.
Rick
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Maxie2U (01-20-2019)
01-19-2019, 11:58 PM
#46
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Seriously? Such a long route there is soooooo much! What, specifically, do you like best??? 
01-20-2019, 12:53 AM
#47
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
01-20-2019, 04:24 AM
#48
Melting Slicks
Sounds like a great trip.
On your way west, I would take Going to the Sun through Glacier National Park, its spectacular. From there drop down to Red Lodge MT, and Take Bear Tooth Pass, my favorite rode in the USA weather on a motor cycle or Corvette. Been over it a dozen times. Then take 14A west to SD. Must see in SD are Needles Hwy, take Iron Mountain going north, as the tunnel frames Mount Rushmore for a perfect picture. Deadwood is a neat town near there. Sturgis not so much unless your into the biker thing. Which by the way avoid The greater Sturgis area from during the rally, as it is packed, and traffic is backed up everywhere. Rally is August 2nd to August 11. Its usually quite full five days prior and five days after.
After Deadwood, head to the Bad Lands, they are very cool.
Main, go to Mount Desert Island, Bar Harbor and Arcadia National park. Very neat area, and on your way to main, I would go to the Kancamagus Scenic Byway in New Hampshire.
On your way west, I would take Going to the Sun through Glacier National Park, its spectacular. From there drop down to Red Lodge MT, and Take Bear Tooth Pass, my favorite rode in the USA weather on a motor cycle or Corvette. Been over it a dozen times. Then take 14A west to SD. Must see in SD are Needles Hwy, take Iron Mountain going north, as the tunnel frames Mount Rushmore for a perfect picture. Deadwood is a neat town near there. Sturgis not so much unless your into the biker thing. Which by the way avoid The greater Sturgis area from during the rally, as it is packed, and traffic is backed up everywhere. Rally is August 2nd to August 11. Its usually quite full five days prior and five days after.
After Deadwood, head to the Bad Lands, they are very cool.
Main, go to Mount Desert Island, Bar Harbor and Arcadia National park. Very neat area, and on your way to main, I would go to the Kancamagus Scenic Byway in New Hampshire.
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Maxie2U (01-20-2019)
01-20-2019, 08:38 AM
#49
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Unmodified C8 of the Year 2021 Finalist
2018 C7 of Year Finalist
As mentioned in my initial post the main points of interest are these four stops; Niagara Falls NY - Camden Maine - Cape Cod MA - Newport RI. In fact except for a two day stop in Coeur d'Alene Idaho we plan to only stop for the night until we reach those last four points of interest. We plan to spend a total of two week in those four towns.
https://www.niagaraparks.com/visit/a...pool-aero-car/
PS, Also check out the Niagara Falls Wonder Pass listed
AND MOST IMPORTANT! I assume you will visit Niagara Fall, CANADA Side, SO look here for passport requirements.
https://www.niagarafallstourism.com/...need-passport/
Last edited by CRABBYJ; 01-20-2019 at 08:50 AM.
01-20-2019, 11:33 AM
#50
Instructor
- Glacier National Park (Going to the Sun Road)
- Grand Teton + Yellowstone
- Beartooth Pass
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Maxie2U (01-20-2019)
01-20-2019, 04:27 PM
#51
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St. Jude Donor '13
Having lived most of my life near Chicago, I can assure you that the roads, traffic, and "scenery"; all suck. The Interstates crossing the Illinois-Indiana border are worse.
And the Interstates across northern Indiana & Ohio are my most un-favorite- heavy traffic, lots of tolls, and ****-style speed enforcement.
Run Forrest, run.
It might take a little longer, but I'd choose the UP of Michigan in a heartbeat.
If you go into Canada, bring passport and check on any other paperwork required. Leave firearms at home.
01-20-2019, 04:35 PM
#52
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St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
Having lived most of my life near Chicago, I can assure you that the roads, traffic, and "scenery"; all suck. The Interstates crossing the Illinois-Indiana border are worse.
And the Interstates across northern Indiana & Ohio are my most un-favorite- heavy traffic, lots of tolls, and ****-style speed enforcement.
Run Forrest, run.
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Maxie2U (01-20-2019)
01-20-2019, 06:37 PM
#53
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Having lived most of my life near Chicago, I can assure you that the roads, traffic, and "scenery"; all suck. The Interstates crossing the Illinois-Indiana border are worse.
And the Interstates across northern Indiana & Ohio are my most un-favorite- heavy traffic, lots of tolls, and ****-style speed enforcement.
Run Forrest, run.
It might take a little longer, but I'd choose the UP of Michigan in a heartbeat.
If you go into Canada, bring passport and check on any other paperwork required. Leave firearms at home.
.
Last edited by Maxie2U; 01-20-2019 at 06:38 PM.
01-20-2019, 06:39 PM
#54
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
So many great suggestions I made several major adjustments to our route of travel and places to visit. The latest was the suggestion to drive the Kancamagus Scenic Byway, Route 112 through Mountain National Forest. 
Keep the suggestions coming.
Keep the suggestions coming.
01-20-2019, 06:46 PM
#55
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St. Jude Donor '13
Understood.
In your situation, I'd look into the car ferries across Lake Michigan.
There's an old-but-interesting big ferry (SS Badger), and one that's smaller, faster but bouncier and less reliable. Been several years since I researched them.
They probably would be equal or greater time than driving around Chicago, but more fun and relaxing.
In your situation, I'd look into the car ferries across Lake Michigan.
There's an old-but-interesting big ferry (SS Badger), and one that's smaller, faster but bouncier and less reliable. Been several years since I researched them.
They probably would be equal or greater time than driving around Chicago, but more fun and relaxing.
Last edited by Gearhead Jim; 01-20-2019 at 08:03 PM.
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Maxie2U (01-20-2019)
01-21-2019, 05:05 AM
#56
Melting Slicks
NH white mountains are beautiful, especially around the Kancamagus Scenic Byway. My first wife and I did our Honeymoon there, when I was Active Navy. Several good water falls in the area also. Took my 80 Corvette that trip. I have also been over it on my Harley, and plan to go back summer of 2020. It's too bad old man in the mountain fell several years ago, it was a sight at Franconia Notch, Right near there is the Flume and the Gorge, very beautiful They are not far off the Kancamangus at all.
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Maxie2U (01-21-2019)
01-21-2019, 05:46 AM
#57
Pro
A couple of things no one has mentioned yet is the Woodward Dream Cruise (www.woodwarddreamcruise.com) in Detroit on August 19 this year and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
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Maxie2U (01-21-2019)
01-21-2019, 05:47 AM
#58
Instructor
Well, I don't much care for Sturgis but the others are great.
If your timing works out, the Black Hills Corvette Classic (July?) that others have mentioned is a great event but of course the area gets crowded and motels fill up far in advance.
We've been to the BHCC three times and still haven't seen all the beauty in that area.
Either way, don't try to cover too many miles each day. Enjoy the ride.
Medora, ND is near your route. The whole town is about Teddy Roosevelt, most nights they have the Medora Musical. A bit kitschy but great fun.
I was wishing I had the Vette in the Black Hills on our trip to Yellowstone. Awesome drives. Sturgis was a waste of time unless you need some biker Paraphernalia like a T Shirt. Deadwood was a much better stop.
01-21-2019, 11:15 AM
#60
Moderator
Gotta be better than Chicago. The high speed ferry across Lake Michigan is a good option too. Just not when it’s really wavy.