Minn to Mich help

[b bob]

We were just invited to spend July 3 - 12 with friends in Durand, MI. We will be leaving from near Rochester, MN on July 2 in our 39"DP (sob) with a toad. We plan on stopping the first night near Rockford, IL. I'm not sure I want to drive too close to Chicago (ever). We're looking for a route that may be less white knuckle without going too far out of the way. Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.

[Wayne Joan]

Go through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

[youroo]

Originally Posted by b bob

We were just invited to spend July 3 - 12 with friends in Durand, MI. We will be leaving from near Rochester, MN on July 2 in our 39"DP (sob) with a toad. We plan on stopping the first night near Rockford, IL. I'm not sure I want to drive too close to Chicago (ever). We're looking for a route that may be less white knuckle without going too far out of the way. Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.

Easy to avoid Chicago,IL from Rochester,MN go to Manitowoc,WI. take the SS Badger across Lake Mi.to Luddington,MI then on to Durand,MI. Nice relaxing Trip! Youroo!!

[b bob]

A couple of interesting suggestions. The UP route looks to add about 140 miles, I would estimate about 3 or four hours. I hadn't thought about floating the moho across the lake. Do you have any idea how that would affect the wallet?

[youroo]

Most Wallets Float but let it dry out for a Day or two! Youroo!!

[b bob]

I should have known... but the wallet will be in the house on wheels!!!

[youroo]

SS Badger 6.00$ per foot one way! Look it up! Check it off your "Bucket List"! Youroo!!

[b bob]

We've been retired for almost two years, and still seem to rush to get places. While the SS Badger would be interesting, this may be a good time to enjoy the UP area for the first time. Thanks for the information on floating across.

[b bob]

Is there a better route to skirt Chicago to the south?

[Kimber45]

Originally Posted by b bob

Is there a better route to skirt Chicago to the south?

There is no easy way around Chicago to get to Michigan. Its all a mess in a car let alone a motorhome or towing an rv. I would look at the badger or U.P.

[dmlranhc]

I take Interstate 39 south from Wisconsin. Drive the Illinois tollway about 12 miles. Stay on I-39 down to Bloomington and east to Champaign Illinois. Continue east into Indiana and north to Michigan. Longer way around but sure avoids Chicago.

[Wayne Joan]

I-39 to I-80 to I-94 is the route we use when coming home from our visits with our son in MN. Do not do it during rush hour. Sunday afternoon isn't too bad but, still mildly white knuckle until you get past I-65. Just came through there a couple of weeks ago pulling the fifth wheel on a Sunday afternoon.

[lablover]

Route 2 thru Wi. and UP and down. You could be stuck in traffic around Chicago, especially on the 4th of July weekend, for 3 or 4 hours.

[Maggiewaggie]

If you go thru the UP, remember there is the very long and high Mackinac Bridge to access lower MI. It can be windy up there. You can pay drivers to drive it for you. The UP is lovely. The big loop down thru IL and IN is flat farm land and wind farms. I've never taken the ferry. Sounds like fun if you are OK being out of sight of land. Enjoy your trip!

[b bob]

Thanks for all the suggestions, we're still debating the options. They all have some advantages.

[SailorSam20500]

Last fall we took the UP route to Frog-tober-fest in Iowa. We started not too far from Durand. Not sure how far you prefer to drive in a day...
Our route had stops at Astico County Park in Wisconsin, Whispering Valley Campground near 3 Rivers in the UP, and Ostego Lake State Park. Astico was nice, we were the only ones there, Whispering Woods was nice enough, we just used it as a base as we explored all the way up to Pictured Rocks. Ostego Lakes was a nice state park. Only Whispering Woods was full hookup.

Our route home went south of Chicago along 80/90. Definitely more traffic, we just stayed in the right lane and went with the flow. Not great, but not horrible either. Spent a night or two in Niles Mi at Spaulding Lake Campground which met our needs.

[navy1064]

Originally Posted by b bob

We were just invited to spend July 3 - 12 with friends in Durand, MI. We will be leaving from near Rochester, MN on July 2 in our 39"DP (sob) with a toad. We plan on stopping the first night near Rockford, IL. I'm not sure I want to drive too close to Chicago (ever). We're looking for a route that may be less white knuckle without going too far out of the way. Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.

The UP is beautiful. You may have "White knuckles" driving over the Mackinaw Bridge...especially if it is windy.

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by b bob

Is there a better route to skirt Chicago to the south?

My wife is from Rochester,,, we live in Michigan between I 94 and I 80,,, don't think there is a great way around Chicago !!!
I would if I were you take I 90 to 39 to I 80/I 90 to I 69 !!!
We stay off I 94 whenever possible !!!

The U P is Great if you have time,,,
Michigan State Parks are a Great place to Camp !!!

[N8MD]

We are in Winona and like to go the UP route. There are two great ST Parks in the UP (J.W. Wells and Indian Lake) we use. The Mac Bridge isn't that bad (been across 4 times) with a trailer (32ft). Take your time and enjoy the views. We'll be going that way again in July to Howell (South of Durand). Have fun!

[Scrapper]

The shortest, less stressful route will be thru the UP across the Mac bridge or the SS Badger from Manitowoc, Wisconsin to Ludington, Michigan. If it was me, I would go the UP route, beautiful country.

The ferry makes 2 trips a day between June 15th & September 3rd. One leaves at 2:00 pm CT and arrives at 7:00 pm ET, the other leaves at 1:30 am CT to 6:30 am ET. You are on the ferry for 4 hours as you cross the time zone while on the lake.

Going from Minnesota thru Illinois, Indiana around the lake into Michigan will take a long time and a lot more fuel.