I know Detroit is a big city, but why don't you want to just put up with it--since it is obviously the most direct way to get there.

If you want to avoid Detroit, leave 75 in Cincinnati to take 71 through Columbus then south of Cleveland take 271 to 90E. Cross into Canada over the Peace Bridge then follow QEW to Toronto.

The vineyard area of NY and coastal Lake Ontario is beautiful. This includes Niagara Falls as an option.

Immigration at the Peace Bridge rarely backs up. Avoid and business day rush hours to minimize your chances.

I wonder if you are remembering the I75 route through Detroit a few years ago when it seemed to roam through old suburbs and was a bit tricky to negotiate? It is now direct and very easy, so you would have no worries on that score.

IMO avoiding Detroit is still a good idea so I'd second the suggestion of stumpworks73 and go via I-71 and I-90.Would be a nicer drive and the time difference seems minor.

Any opinion or experience on taking 64E from Lexington, Ky to 77N at Charleston, W Va and then 77N to 90E at Cleveland? Also, what about 40/81 from Knoxville to 77N at Wyethville, Va to 90E at Cleveland? Are both of these routes too mountainous and time-consuming? Thanks!

If so (too mountainous & time-consuming) I'll probably take the route stumpworks73 suggested.

Any opinion or experience on taking 64E from Lexington, Ky to 77N at Charleston, W Va and then 77N to 90E at Cleveland? Also, what about 40/81 from Knoxville to 77N at Wyethville, Va to 90E at Cleveland? Are both of these routes too mountainous and time-consuming? Thanks!

There are innumerable ways to go and you asked for the "best" one. These are absolutely terrible ideas. You are going "backwards" on most of them.
I absolutely do not understand taking the two major ones suggested. What do you think will be "lost". You can sit in traffic or immigration or whatever.
Plan your route, plan where to stop if you must make that deliberation, or just do it when you need it, grit your teeth, have water in the car and go. DO NOT got on the I64 route--it is folly.

Since you want to go over the Peace Bridge instead of through the tunnel from Detroit into Windsor, I-77 north (WV Turnpike) is your best option. Once you cross into Ohio, you have no mountains to worry about. In May we stayed at the "America's Best Value Inn in the small town of Dover Ohio. That is a bit more than halfway for you but still in the 8-10 hour range.
Don't forget to take your passport to get back into the US.
The route over the Peace Bridge will take you 1.5 hours more than going through Detroit (85 miles).

Thanks, Gretchen and tomfuller. I think I'll take 81 and 77 through VA and WVA and 90N.

The WVA turnpike is quite a lovely road, and it really isn't "mountainous". Just big sweeping roads.

I absolutely think the best way is Stumpworks's suggestion. It is taking the "hypotenuse" of all the directions, at least always going "toward" your destination.
The 81/77 way is a good bit of lateral movement.
The drive up 75 from Knoxville can't be easier.
You can be in Cincy in 5 hours from Knox.

The area north of Columbus and south of Cleveland on that drive is through some of the Amish country of Ohio.

Thanks again, Gretchen. After looking at the map again, I think I will take the Cincinnati/Columbus/Cleveland route. Where is the Amish area? Might be a great place to stay overnight!

The center is Berlin, Ohio. It is pronounced with the accent on the last syllable.

I-77 north is hardly flat and straight and plenty of hills so just be aware.

No it is certainly not flat--and they aren't going that way now anyway. a lot of it runs along the top of ridges. It's a pretty road and an easy driving road.

Gretchen, so is that pronounciation "o hi O"?...jk jk
Dukey1, Thanks for the info. I figured WVa HAD to be fairly hilly. Might be nice for a vacation, though.
Planning a Sept 14 departure. Thanks. Love Fodors!