Chicago area dwellers:
I like Chicago as a destination.  Sometimes I even root for Chicago sports teams.  However, I don't like driving thru or around Chicago when I'm going from Ohio to Quetico!  Who put it sooooo very in the way!?!

That said, I'm looking for advice about the best way to go.  If plans hold, I'll be going thru about 2pm on a Tuesday (Jun 26).  The constants I'm used to are:
--> Enter Chicago area via I-65;
  ... go really slow for a while & hit a lot of tolls booths...
--> Exit Chicago area via I-90;

- I've considered buying an I-pass loaded w/$50 for quick tolls.
- I've considered a bypass using I-74 thru Bloomington, IL.
- I've skipped the whole thing via Sault Ste Marie (I'm doing that on the way back this time, so I don't want to do it on the way up).
- I've looked at the ferry across Lake Michigan (bad idea from a speed standpoint)

Other thoughts & what do others consider best?
Thanks in advance!!
-Tom

PS: Just added for any 1st time readers:
I'm most likely buying an I-PASS & going thru Chicago, so...
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!!!

How about driving to Mackinaw Bridge, going West into Wisconsin and around that way?
Not much scenery to see on I-75 from Detroit area to Bridge, but the scenery west thru the UP is nice and you can stop at get a fresh Pastie along the way

Avoiding the traffic around Chicago and making good time from Detroit area to Mackinaw City might be the better way to go.

I've looked at the UP before and concluded it would be too slow -- but it sounds like you guys who've done it say it's the same as going thru Chicago!  I'll have to look at that one again.  Thanks.

(PS: Making good time is the primary goal on the way North for me.)

-Tom

Tom,

Not sure where you're coming from, but I live between Cincinnati and Dayton for 8 years now.  I've found going I70 to Indy and I74 to Bloomington and then up to Madison is quickest although a few more miles.  The only part I hate is the dang toll from Rockford to Wisconsin (I despise tolls).  If heading to Ely, I'll go west from Eau Claire to Mnpls, up 35 to Cloquet and then hook north to 53.  If I'm heading to Gunflint, I'll head north from Eau Claire to Superior and then to 35/61.

I've gone through Chicago a couple times.  If traffic's moving, not bad, but when it's crawling it really sucks.

Columbus... I.74 out of indy sounds viable; I'll check the new ferry too!
Thanks. Tom

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....

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.

Mk631 wrote on May 30^th, 2012 at 2:08pm:

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

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

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!

When you say Google, I presume you mean Map Quest right?
I did it both ways from St. Ignace to Duluth, shortest time/shortest mileage.

Not much difference, they both take you up to 28 from St. Ignace, then West on 28 to Wisconsin and up.

I think there's better route that avoids going thru the major cities along Superior and would be my choice.
IF you can get a physical road map of the UP, I think my alternative has some merit.
Might be a few miles farther, but you save the time not going thru the cities.

From St. Ignace, I'd take 2 WEST, to Rapid River, jog south on 2 and pick up 35N in Gladstone.
That takes you up to 28, west of Marquette.

I think you can probably average 60-65 on 2, the same on 35N and on 28, I'd just go with the flow, not the fastest/slowest.
Check it out and see what you think?

hey,paddle guy, Did the Badger (Ludington to Manitowoc)survive to run this year? I love that thing. I'ts like a cruze.

Badger is still alive and kicking, but the environmentalists are doing their best to shut her down.  Apparently, burning coal is a bit offensive to some.  There has been talk about retrofitting her with new engines, but with competition and increased fuel costs, it will be a rough sell. 

Could be the end of an Era.  Personally, I'd hate to see that old boat go. 

Regarding average speed across the UP...I guess I've never really timed it. Based on the length I travel, I know that I will be staying at in Superior or Duluth on the first night.  I don't really care if I get there at 6pm or 8pm or 10pm for that matter.  I'd rather have a relaxed trip and avoid congestion.  After all, that is one of my main purposes in taking a vacation, to get away from crowds and congestion.  I would just as soon start my vacation the day I leave home, not the day I get to the BW.  The road is mostly two lane highway with passing lanes.  Posted speed is 55mph, but it is wide open highway and if you actually drive that slow, you will not make any friends. 

Perhaps, the average speed is a result of the frequent stops to "smell the roses," and skip stones in Lake Michigan and Superior on the same day and/or breath in the moist air while standing underneath a waterfall. 

Have agreat trip!

I hate driving through Chicago more than is rational or healthy. When I do it I just bite the bullet and use the toll road of 294. It is by far the fastest way through and it is worth the insane tolls that they charge now (even taking into consideration how much I retch at paying tolls to IL).

The route over the Mackinaw and through da U-P is a very scenic drive, but VERY slow. Hwy 2 will take you right across to Superior/Duluth but is very winding and slow with a lot of small towns. Very enjoyable for a drive, but slow. Did I mention it's slow?

If you do take I90 to I94, I'd suggest taking Hwy 53 North @ Eau Claire instead of over to MN and up I35. It's basically an interstate @65 MPH but more direct and more scenic. The first time you come over a hill and see Lake Superior is memorable.

However you get there, may the breezes be gentle on your back.

631, You know the I-Pass tolls are half the manual tolls?? Plus you don't have to slow down to get through them. Once you get one you'll like it IMO.
Think of Chicago as a portage. Slower and a pain, but not really as long as it seems. It's all your state of mind. Sometimes traffic seems to creep forever. But if you stop to eat and relax, it's moving again and you're on your way.
Enjoy your return trip. North shore of the big lake is longer but good. It'll extend your post tripping mood a bit too.

This has been an amusing discussion for me.  We have children who live in the Chicago area, so we drive through Chicago a lot more than just to get to the canoe country. And now that our granddaughter goes with us each year, we have to go that way to pick her up en route.  I guess if you do it often, you just get used to it.   

We were there Memorial Day weekend.  (Park Ridge, Illinois)

For those who are interested, (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)  I punched in some quick numbers for July 6 and it would cost about $275.00 for two adults and one car with no trailer.  It's up to an eye-popping $435.00 if you're bringing an 18' trailer loaded with canoes.  Suddenly the tolls in my home state of IL don't seem so bad!

-Michael