To avoid I80 across the NW Indiana and south side of Chicago, you need to go quite a ways south. US30 goes smack through suburbs, so is not going to be fun driving - unless you like stop lights. US24 is the next federal highway south. By then you are half way I74.
In the past when we drove from South Bend to Chicago, and were too cheap to take the tollway, we would take IN 2 and US20 across to I94. Now with the US31/US20 bypass extending past the tollway, that alternative does not make as much sense. It's so much simpler to just hop on the tollway and sail all the way to Gary.
It's one thing to take 2 lane highways in Idaho and west Texas. Taking them through all the little towns and farm land of Indiana and Illinois is not nearly as fun - unless you want to check out small town museums and cafes. And where the states have upgraded those routes to divided status you loose the virtuous feeling of driving something historic.
* This post was
edited 05/20/12 07:47pm by paulj *
Bob a.k.a. The Texan ... When leaving Elkhart, head North on SR19 to US 12 just North of the MI state line, then East to US131 at White Pigeon. At White Pigeon turn North on US131, continue North until US2 after the "Bridge". TURN LEFT or West on US2. This will take you to Idaho via 2 lanes, without going across the southern end of Lake Michigan, or detouring out of your way south, to US20 to IN2 to IL17 to IL47 to I80 or way down south to US24.
When are you coming through Elkhart? We'll be here again before jumping off on our Alaska trip next May.
* This post was
edited 05/21/12 04:03am by Teacher's Pet *
'06 Phaeton 40' QSH
'03 Ford Sport Trac Toad
'04 R-Vision Trail-Lite 213
Scottiemom's Pet or husband to Dale
RV.net Rallies 13, Other Rallies 16, Escapades 6
Fulltimers since 2005, Where are we? Our Travel Blog
Teacher's Pet wrote: Bob a.k.a. The Texan ... When leaving Elkhart, head North on SR19 to US 12 just North of the MI state line, then East to US131 at White Pigeon. At White Pigeon turn North on US131, continue North until US2 after the "Bridge". TURN LEFT or West on US2. This will take you to Idaho via 2 lanes, without going across the southern end of Lake Michigan, or detouring out of your way south, to US20 to IN2 to IL17 to IL47 to I80 or way down south to US24.
When are you coming through Elkhart? We'll be here again before jumping off on our Alaska trip next May.
Thanks Terry for the directions. I did US-2 years ago from MI to WA and loved the trip, so sounds like a plan and some new country for Betsy.
We plan on being there at All-4-One around the last week of April, or the 1st week of May. Hopefully we can hook up and have some good old true Amish food.
Bob & Betsy(FishNFanatic) - USN Aviation Ret'd '78 & LEO Ret'd '03 & "Oath Keeper Forever" '05 HR Endeavor 40PRQ, 400 Cummins-Pulling our '11 Silverado LT, Ex Cab 6.2L NHT 4x4, w/2010 Rzr or 01 V Star in back. Where the wheels are stopped today
Road destruction on I-80 starting in PA through IL. No shoulders, two-lane/two way traffic. On the way back from MT, took I-65S to I-70E verry bumpy. Of it all the Tappen Zee was the roughest patch we hit! I will be willing to bet the wife will want to spring for an air-ride pinbox before next outting. The jarring of frost heaves and the expansion joints in the bridges and overpasses really take a toll on her. I don't think that the next trip will be as far, and more time will be in camp.
MikeH
talonhead wrote: Road destruction on I-80 starting in PA through IL. No shoulders, two-lane/two way traffic. ...
Is that a current construction report, or what was going on when you last drove the route? 2 lane/2 way traffic generally only occurs in 10-30mile stretches. Location differs from year to year in each state. But that is a potential issue on any freeway, not just I80.
I-80 from Cleveland to IL border was good in April.
I-80 from IL border to I-39 in IL had a small section of roadwork last fall. IDK currently.
Never been on I-80 from I-39, west to Iowa, so that is unknown from me.
I-80 from Iowa City IA to Laramie WY was good in March.
Thats all Ive traveled on I-80 in the last few years.
You might check out US route six western IL to 80. In and IL on 80 are not bad roads if you pick your times.
Joan and Bruce
05 Excursion 39L
powered by 350 KittyCATS on a Spartan
2010 Traverse LT toad (Blue Ox & Breakbuddy)
...and a "road dog" named Max and his gabby sister, Abby.
"May the wind be always at your back and your destination the one you chose"
Offline
.jpg)
