mrwunrfl

A coworker is planning to drive from northern Virginia to northern Wisconsin by driving through the Michigan mitt and across the upper peninsula. He figures that this would be better than contending with traffic around Chicago. I am dubious. What do you think?

rkkwan

How north in WI are we talking about?

Going through Chicago will mostly likely to be faster unless you're talking way north. But of course, the faster route isn't necessarily "better", whatver that means.

Intrepid1

Why are you "dubious" and what do you know that the co-worker doesn't?

Keith

I have gone to great lengths to avoid the Chicago congestion.

Coming from Virgina would make yor friend sweep around and up running through it even longer.

But if they are going to southern Wisconsin, I would gut it out and go by way of Chicago.

Keith

Keith

Just noticed the "northern." In that case I would encourage them to go through Michigan. They will see some beautiful country.

Keith

mrwunrfl

It's somewhere around Rhinelander. My impression of northern MI and the upper pen. was that it was a vacationland and that it might be jammed for the holiday. It is longer, but may be better.

rkkwan

My impression of the Upper Peninsula is forest, forest, and mines. Two-lane roads, logging trucks and heavy ore trucks.

Anyways, from Toledo, OH to Rhineland - via MI is about 610 miles; via Chicago is 584. Not much a difference. I think it'll take about 11 hours via MI and 10 via IL.

Unless your coworker must take the fastest route, I think the MI route is fine.

rkkwan

Oh, and one factor that affects drive times on two-lane road is how comfortable is the driver with passing on oncoming lane. I know plenty of people who're too afraid to do that, and they may get stuck behind an RV or heavy truck for hours.

If one's okay with passing, and drives a relatively powerful vehicle, then no problem.

SuzieTrue

Concerning passing on 2 lane roads in the UP, on US 2 they have quite a few passing lanes. This has helped tremendously. You won't be passing trucks but RV's and boat trailers most likely. The biggest reminder is to avoid going north on a Friday, it can be brutal.

mrwunrfl

Thanks, I just showed him all of your replies. He was encouraged towards going via Michigan, except for the last sentence from Suzie True. He will be going north on Friday and staying over night in northern Michigan, continuing on to, and across, the UP on Saturday morning.

Thanks again for the input and have a happy and safe Independence Day weekend!

placeu2

I dissent.

If your friend takes the I-74 route out of Cincinnati or I-65 to Indy to I-74 to Bloomington, IL and goes straight North on I-39, they will drive right into Rhinelander. Won't even be close to Chicago traffic.

That would be interstate high speed driving the whole way if that is the goal.

rkkwan

placeu2 is right. Thanks for pointing that out. Fastest and easiest way, definitely.

mrwunrfl

thanks, placeu2, I will pass that on

ronkala

We will be approaching the Chicago area from IN about 9:00 a.m. two weeks from Saturday.
I was thinking of taking I-294 north from I-80/90, into I-290 and then getting back on I-90. Should that be too bad traffic wise that time of day on a Saturday?

Coming back we will reach the area early afternoon so I'll take I-39 down to I-80 and head east that way. Maybe an hour longer, but I'll miss Chicago.

ronkala

How bad would traffic be on I-290 and I-294 southbound about 11:00 a.m. on a thursday morning? If I can save that hour I will.

placeu2

ronkala:

290 to 294 at 11am should be a piece of cake. I would definately do that.

On your Northbound trek on Saturday, that should be very good as well.

ronkala

Thanks placeu2, I'll do that in both directions. Two years ago returning from Yellowstone to VA, DW didn't want any part of Chicago so went home via Indianapolis. This year she is willing to try this routing.