Cleveland: fly or drive?
 

Planning a mid-week trip from Washington, DC to Cleveland, mostly for the R&R Museum (probably a day and a half) but also have an interest in maritime shipping. Any opinions on whether I should fly in (is it time-consuming to get from the airport to downtown? would a rental car be convenient?) or drive?

Any suggestions on how I should structure my time in Cleveland?

Thanks!

I would check the cost of flights and make the determination based on the cost. The drive time would be about 6-7 hours. At the airport you can hop on the rapid transit train and take it to downtown. It takes just 20 minutes or so and last time I rode the train it was $1.50. It may have gone up since then. If you then stay downtown, the Rock Hall is downtown as well as the William G. Mather ship museum. They are right next to each other. There is a Hampton Inn on 9th St. that is about 2-3 blocks from the Rock Hall. If all you want to see is the Rock Hall and maritime, you would not need a rental car, just take the train. Of course, if you wanted to venture out, a rental car would be advisable for at least a day.

Drive! We were going to recently, and estimated a 5 hour trip (from what others had told us).

I believe a car is necessary for this area. There are not a lot of cabs, and you may want to explore areas outside of Cleveland were public transport does not reach (our public transport is very weak).

I think it depends on your budget. Flying is a lot easier and quicker. I live in DC and regularly fly to/from Ohio as I'm from there, and it varies what I do. If I'm going to be there a while and want a car, I drive, but for a short weekend, I fly.

It takes me 7-8 hours, although I go to an area in-between Cleveland and Columbus. It's about 400 miles from DC to Cleveland, so I don't know how in the world you could do that in five hours.

Re: of the route you choose, you will need (& want) a car. The Airport is well South of town + you'll be able to see much more w/some wheels.

Per google maps: Washington,DC to Cleveland, OH 374 miles 6.25 hours drive time.

what about Amtrack? i know there is a train that goes from DC to Chicago and makes stops in northern ohio along the way.

I recently drove from New York to Cleveland. It's supposed to take less than 8 hours, but there was so much road work on Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania, it took 10 instead. It took me over one hour to drive 8 miles at one point. I've driven long distances all over the US and this might be anecdotal, but I've never had such a bad driving experience until I drove in Pennsylvania.

I would still drive, but check the interstates for road work.

nstevey
Ohhh. We are driving to Cleveland from CT next week. What would be a better route since 80 is under construction. (or is it only part of it and if so which section[s])
Thanks

The traffic started a little after I got into PA from NJ. There were a couple of stoppages but midway into PA, traffic was fine.

If you're coming from CT, I84, I don't think you'll run into what I did.

I took I76 and I78 back to NYC and only experienced minor delays, but that was expected since it was during rush hour.

Hi, I'm a native Clevelander and have gone to college in Washington D.C. so I know the routes well! Amtrak is about a 12 hour trip from Washington to Cleveland. There are many stops along the way. Driving takes about 6 hours. The rapid transit train goes straight from the airport in Cleveland to the downtown Terminal Tower. I believe it's $2 per person, and takes about 1/2 hour. I would recommend flying, if you don't mind spending the extra money. My 2nd pick would be to drive.

Drive, you will need a car in Cleveland. Besides it would take about as much time to fly. A rental would be an extra added expense. Enjoy the drive.

I just drove Chi to NJ and back last week via Rt 80. No problem. Minimal roadwork. They are putting up snow fences in PA. Foliage in peak colors.