Hi, it is about that time to start planning our summer vacation... I probably should have started some time ago, but whatever... *grin*
Anyway, so we are in Saskatchewan Canada and we will be going back 'home' this summer to Ottawa ON. We would like to try taking the 'Southern' route this time to cut out hours and maybe gas prices.
So the way I see it, we have two options. Either we can take Hwy 2 and eventually cross back in to Canada at Sault St. Marie. OR... Take HWY 94, go through Chicago (which I think would be fun to see) and cross over at Sarnia.
So my question is, what are these highways like, are they good to travel, way to windy... Also, any camp ground (family oriented like a KOA would be just fine) suggestions would be fantastic too. There is a good chance that we would take one Hwy one way and the other return. Hard to say.
We are traveling with 3 little girls. (will be 6, 4, and 1 at the time) So if there is a hwy that has maybe a few attractions that would make their ride less dull...
ALSO!! We will be bringing the diesel F350. How 'popular' is diesel along these highways. We ran in to that problem while driving the 'northern' route a few years back. Some of these little towns don't have diesel off the main drive.
Sorry about the 20 questions... but I really have no clue. I don't know anyone who has 'camped' their way through the US like this.
I liked US2 many moons ago. Smaller road, back road America and many farm towns so Diesel should be available. But nothing like on I-94 though.
And, I would do anything to avoid traffic in Chicago but it is a neat town. Closest RV parks are up by Lake Forest north of town. The Wisconsin Dells are supposed to be nice.
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When I go east, I pick up # 2 @ Minot and head east into Michigan. Once there, as stated you can cross back at the Soo (faster route to Ottawa) or continue on #2 & cross the Mackinaw Bridge via I75 to Flint then west on I69 & cross at Sarnia.
Either of these ways are FAR BETTER then going south of the lake thru Chicago.... DID I SAY TO AVOID CHICAGO if you can.
EH!
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When I was a kid we used to travel from Regina, Sask. to Vermont every year. Rt 2 over to Mackinac Straits then down through Michigan across Ohio to New York Thruway. Sometimes, we'd stay on the Canadian side all the way, crossing at 1,000 Islands east of Kingston,Ontario..
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The Hiway 2 route is probably the most scenic and has less traffic. Diesel will be readily available.
Hiway 94 will take you through/around the Twin Cities, MN, which can be a nightmare with traffic and road construction. Also traffic/road construction, toll roads from the IL border through Chicago will really be a nightmare. Gas and diesel in the Chicago area is expensive. I saw diesel for $4.30+ yesterday and gas was averaging $3.49. Also parking in downtown Chicago is limited and expensive. No trucks allowed on North Shore drive. Most of the locals take the train into and out of Chicago.
If it was my choice, I would take the Hiway 2 route as the aggravation and hassle factor would be reduced substantially over Hiway 94.
Definitely take the north route. Not only will you miss Chicago, but Detroit as well. There's really not much to see from Chicago to Port Huron/Sarnia.
Instead of taking US 2 all the way across the UP (Michigan's Upper Peninsula), try taking M-28 from Wakefield all the way to the Soo. Lots and lots of beautiful scenery. Depending on how much time you have, you can see some of the sights along the way - the Porcupine Mountains, Pictured Rocks, Tahquamenon Falls, Da Yoopers Tourist Trap... If you're an old movie fan, you can visit the Mount Shasta Lodge and other places where "Anatomy of a Murder" was filmed. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052561/locations
Plenty of campgrounds along the way. There are state park campgrounds at Lake Gogebic, Van Riper State Park, Tahquamenon Falls, and Brimley, and a boatload of state forest campgrounds. Michigan park map
There's also a fairly new campground in Ishpeming, at the "Country Village", which has more amenities and "stuff to do" within walking distance. l
I hope this helps, and have a great trip no matter which way you decide to go.
* This post was
edited 04/05/08 09:33pm by ethierbach *
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