Husband wants to go to the big air show in July. The closest hotel I can find is a Fairfield in Green Bay. How long would the drive be to Oshkosh from there? Thanks/

It's about 50 miles from Green Bay to Oshkosh. A very "easy" drive. You'll take Hwy 41--speed limit is 65. EAA grounds is right off the highway.
Length of the trip will depend in part on the EAA traffic--I've seen it backed up for miles on some dates and at other times there is almost no traffic at all.
I'm sure you'll have a great time!
Have you contacted EAA about housing? There are many people who rent their homes for this week.

We went to Oshkosh for the first time last year. We stayed in Green Bay at Country Inn, I believe. We drove down early when the grounds opened on a couple of the weekdays, parked on the grounds, and stayed through the airshows each afternoon. Speed limit drive down. Didn't rush out after the airshow, so traffic had dissipated. Careful leaving the grounds that you are in the correct lane(s) to get onto the highway going north.

I'm sure the traffic is worse getting in on the weekend and midmorning on weekdays as well as leaving just after the airshow.

I think it might have been fun to stay in the evening for the outdoor movie with the campers. Harrison Ford introduced his movie one night, but I missed it so just had to glimpse him after his jet flight.

If I'm in-country I'm sure we will go again. It was very educational and fun.

If you need a rental car, be sure to reserve it well in advance as well.

You reminded me to check for us a place to stay--we just don't plan this far in advance for anything.

There are accommodations closer than Green Bay still available according to the website, though they are Mom and Pop motels, conference centers, etc.

www.oshkoshcvb.org/eaa-hotel.cfm

Thanks everyone. I saw some "mom and pop" lodging places on the oshkosh website but I'm kind of hesitant to book one of those. At least the Fairfield is part of the Marriott chain so they're usually ok. Thanks for the reminder to rent a car. I usually tend to wait till the last minute for car rentals; I better not do that for this trip!

I just spoke to a co-worker who owns a B&B in Fond du Lac. She suggests that you call the Convention & Visitors Bureau's in area cities for lodging. She thought that there is "nice" lodging still available closer to Oshkosh.
Her B&B is rented a year in advance--as are many places.

Unfortunately my husband won't stay in a b&b. I've been on the Oshkosh website and am not crazy about the looks of the mom and pop places, and since a b&b is out, guess it will be the Fairfield in Green Bay.

I understand your husbands concerns. Enjoy EAA!

Your post did prompt me to start making plans. We will probably stay in GB because that is where we will fly into rather than join the crowd flying into Oshkosh. That way we are close to hotel on evening of arrival and morning of departure and the drive to Oshkosh was OK as stated above.

While I haven't stayed at these, my online check indicated motels available closer than Green Bay--in Appleton the Country Inn and Days Inn. Also closer from another direction was Waupaca with Comfort Suites and Best Western. Plus miscellaneous other motels and conference centers as stated before.

Kay2, I'm going to check out the hotels you mentioned to see availability. Thanks.