QuietJourney Forums - Ohio->Quetico (Help with Chicago!)

Sep 6^th, 2026 at 4:37pm (UTC)

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Ohio->Quetico (Help with Chicago!) (Read 12096 times)

pine_knot Inukshuk Offline Posts: 908 Location: Springboro, Ohio Joined: Mar 31^st, 2009	Re: Ohio->Quetico (Help with Chicago!) Reply #10 - May 30^th, 2012 at 11:38am	Quote Print Post
	If you do take I-70 from Columbus to Indy, once you hit Indy it's best to head south around the beltway to get to I-74. I've gone the northern side, but seems to be lots more construction up there the past few years... If you don't particularly like interstate travel, you may not want to go this way. But you can average 70+ with a canoe on top just about the entire way to Duluth so it's a bit faster route... Two years ago, I headed north from Madison to make a pit-stop and replace a rod at the St Criox shop in Park Falls, WI. It was actually a very nice drive from there north to Ashland and then over to Superior....


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intrepid_camper Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1348 Location: Northern Minnesota Joined: Jul 12^th, 2004	Re: Ohio->Quetico (Help with Chicago!) Reply #11 - May 30^th, 2012 at 1:46pm	Quote Print Post
	It has been several years since I drove past Chicago. My favorite route was Highway 51 (I think), west of Chicago. Going south I would pick up 51 near Beloit, go straight south till I got south of Chicago, then back to the Interstates. A good, fast road; the semi trucks use it and keep traffic moving at a good clip. Last time I was on it, it was still just 2 lanes; so a little nerve wracking with traffic, no sightseeing while you're driving on it. Do the ferries run over-night? Perhaps you could get on a ferry later at night and sleep while it crosses Michigan?


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BillConner Inukshuk Offline Posts: 665 Location: Thousand Islands Joined: Apr 12^th, 2010	Re: Ohio->Quetico (Help with Chicago!) Reply #12 - May 30^th, 2012 at 1:49pm	Quote Print Post
	I didn't think about west on 74 to Bloomington and then north, but that may be the route and definitely lighter traffic than 65 - a highway I despise as being the most boring road. I'd do 53 out of Eau Claire rather than to MPLS and 35 - have done both and am sure that 53 is quickest and not much traffic usually.


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Mk631 Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1128 Location: Ohio Joined: Sep 30^th, 2004	Re: Ohio->Quetico (Help with Chicago!) Reply #13 - May 30^th, 2012 at 2:08pm	Quote Print Post
	So after mapping with Google, Mapquest & AAA, it looks like the I-74 option is about 30 minutes longer than going thru Chicago (on a good day). The UP route is appealing for being different, but all mapping software says it's 1-2 hrs longer so that doesn't work for this particular trip because of time constraints -- unless someone knows something I don't about this route. Looks like I'm buying an I-pass. I'll let everyone know how that works out as part of the trip report! Thanks. -Tom And...Bill: Thanks just saw that; 53 for sure - always have done that...and I-65 has that cool wind farm now! I guess the one thing I'm left with is this: what's the best way THROUGH Chicago, now that I can quickly pay the tolls? 90 the whole way? (as Google says) or use 80/94? ; 294? (as Mapquest does) or over to 355 Arghh!!! ???? So many choices!!!


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DentonDoc Moderator Inukshuk Offline Posts: 3468 Location: Central Texas Joined: Dec 27^th, 2003	Re: Ohio->Quetico (Help with Chicago!) Reply #14 - May 30^th, 2012 at 2:24pm	Quote Print Post
	Mk631 wrote on May 30^th, 2012 at 2:08pm: So many choices!!! Choices are good! I get on I-35 less than 2 miles from my front door and that's where I stay for a good day and a half (until Cloquet). BORING!!!! dd


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zski Inukshuk Offline Posts: 447 Location: IL Joined: Sep 30^th, 2010	Re: Ohio->Quetico (Help with Chicago!) Reply #15 - May 30^th, 2012 at 3:38pm	Quote Print Post
	It's a matter of preference for the most part, butt if coming through this neighborhood, (i live near I-55 & I-355) I'd do the following: I-65 > I-80 > I-355 > I-88 > I-39/90 (51) Rush hour a.m.: most traffic is heading east and north Rush hour p.m.: most traffic is heading south and west I-88 near dekalb has a 2.00 toll but i still prefer to go this way just looked at the map again, maybe 74 is a good way to go...avoid getting near the city...74 to I-39/90 (51) looks promising.


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Yellowbird Voyageur Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1239 Location: Soddy Daisy, TN Joined: Apr 19^th, 2004	Re: Ohio->Quetico (Help with Chicago!) Reply #16 - May 30^th, 2012 at 4:39pm	Quote Print Post
	90 is my first choice (certain times of the day), when continuing on to 94 toward Wisconsin, tolls are limited to 2. If you can hit it between 9 pm and 6 am, you won't even take your foot of the gas. The view to downtown from the south is very impressive. During the midday hours, its not too bad, very crowded, but moving along. During the rush, we take 294. You pay the troll 5x and they have upped it this year (total being in the $8-$10 range). Once past I-65, you get a feel for how busy its going to be. If it doesn't seem busy there, you can make a judgment to take 90. 94 from the WI border down has been reconstructed and traffic there now seems to move along very well. Gas prices between Valpraiso, IN and Gurnee, IL jump a quarter to $.40. -YB


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Drewfus Inukshuk Offline Posts: 291 Location: Illinois Joined: Mar 11^th, 2008	Re: Ohio->Quetico (Help with Chicago!) Reply #17 - May 30^th, 2012 at 6:11pm	Quote Print Post
	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!


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Paddle_Guy Inukshuk Offline Posts: 300 Location: Western Michigan Joined: Feb 10^th, 2003	Re: Ohio->Quetico (Help with Chicago!) Reply #18 - May 30^th, 2012 at 6:34pm	Quote Print Post
	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 If you choose to take a ferry, I live in Muskegon (home of Lake Express, I'll meet you for breakfast or lunch if you have a bit of time to wait for the boat). Still I would take the Badger out of Ludington. A little slower, but not much and it is really tied to some cool history with the area. Aren't many of those coal fired work horses out there anymore...this one might not be around much longer. I love taking the ferry. Once you're on the boat, there is no turning back and it almost forces you to slow down and relax. It certainly will add a totally different dimension to your experience and while a bit pricey...everyone should do it at least once! Which ever way you go, be safe and have fun!


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Mk631 Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1128 Location: Ohio Joined: Sep 30^th, 2004	Re: Ohio->Quetico (Help with Chicago!) Reply #19 - May 30^th, 2012 at 9:11pm	Quote Print Post
	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!


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