Paddle_Guy wrote on May 30^th, 2012 at 6:34pm:

Skip Chicago.  Go through the UP.  Nice drive. Beautiful Country.  Stop at Java Joes in St. Ignace for breakfast.  Besides you should see what we Michignaders traded Toledo for... :dankk2 ...

Thanks for the info & offer.  I think Wisconsin was the big loser in the Toledo/UP deal.  ;)
-Tom


Drewfus wrote on May 30^th, 2012 at 6:11pm:

I suggest the 355 route. With the extension they put on it flows pretty well. I live due west of Chicago and we use that to get around Chitown going out to Ohio. As for time of day, you're probably going to see traffic, its Chicago in the summer, so basically rush hour will have you locked up 7am-9am from 10-3 is lighter, but theres road construction everywhere right now, and I88 is a MESS. Good luck!

So that would be I-65 to 80/355/290/90
And it seems like other viable options (depending on traffic) are:
I-65 to 80/294/290/90
I-65 to 80/355/290/90
I-65 to 80/355/88/39/90
or just I-65 to 90 (if traffic seems good).

It's good to know the reasonable options -- thanks!!
...and still considering the UP route...
SO...

For those suggesting the UP, what route & what kind of speed is reasonable to presume? (Google puts the trip avg @ 52 mph...8 hrs from St Ignace to Duluth... is that your experience?)  Thanks!