Hi Everybody-
We have been doing trips up to the BW/Q since the mid-80s. We have driven and flown up there, every which way. This year we are going to enter thru Atikokan rather than Crane Lake/Ely. I saw that the route thru Michigan into Canada is about the same mileage as going thru Minnesota and crossing at International Falls. We will be leaving northern Virginia around noon so I guess hitting Chicago after midnight wouldn't be too bad?

Chicago is a great town, but can be tough to drive thru at the wrong time! Does anybody have any input on the relative merits or drawbacks of going up thru Canada? New scenery is always a cool thing, but we will be doing most of the back half of this drive in the dark anyway. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

The drive through lower Michigan is freeway, so no issues there. You'll cross the Mackinac Bridge (one of the world's largest suspension bridges) to get over to the UP, which is super cool. It can be closed down from time to time in bad weather. Once you cross over into Canada in Sault St. Marie, the East side of Lake Superior has some nice spots to check out the lake or camp (but it sounds like you are driving straight through). The trip around Lake Superior seems long because between the Soo and Thunder Bay is pretty much just wilderness, but if you aren't sight-seeing, it doesn't pose any real travel issues either.

If it were me, I'd take the Michigan route.

I often drive from DC to Michigan's UP. You can make good time on the interstate up thru Michigan.

Tripping since the 80s and not a board member... Welcome anyway!

Canada route gets my vote , beautiful drive...

Just having been driving around Chicago and then home (upstate NY) from the cancelled Canoecopia, do the Michigan/UP route IMHO.

Absoutely take the Michigan/Canada route!! I drive up to Canada from MN to visit family and since we started taking the northern route instead of south through Chicago I actually look forward to the drive rather than dreading it even though it takes us an hour longer than the south route. The Drive through upper Michigan, Mackinaw, and around the great lakes will enhance your whole experience and make it feel like an enjoyable part of the trip rather than something to endure. So many scenic places to stop and stretch, stunning forest and lake views. No traffic. It's a beautiful thing.

djwillco: "Absoutely take the Michigan/Canada route!! I drive up to Canada from MN to visit family and since we started taking the northern route instead of south through Chicago I actually look forward to the drive rather than dreading it even though it takes us an hour longer than the south route. The Drive through upper Michigan, Mackinaw, and around the great lakes will enhance your whole experience and make it feel like an enjoyable part of the trip rather than something to endure. So many scenic places to stop and stretch, stunning forest and lake views. No traffic. It's a beautiful thing."

Totally agree. :-)

Cananada for sure.

That drive across the top of Superior is exceptional, and is well worth the extra time.

One thing to note - if you need a hotel for the night during the summer in that stretch before Thunder Bay, the options are very limited (so reserve ahead of time). We got the last room in Marathon and saw many folks turned away just after us. Their problem then being that they had to drive another 2-3 hours to find a room...dismay would understate their reactions.

sns: "Cananada for sure.


That drive across the top of Superior is exceptional, and is well worth the extra time.


One thing to note - if you need a hotel for the night during the summer in that stretch before Thunder Bay, the options are very limited (so reserve ahead of time). We got the last room in Marathon and saw many folks turned away just after us. Their problem then being that they had to drive another 2-3 hours to find a room...dismay would understate their reactions."

Excellent suggestion...

I've driven from the Minneapolis to the east coast several times over the years. It's 14 hours roughly from say Pittsburgh to the Twin Cities (YMMV) -- that's with a few stops and traffic. I've also done the Canada route up and over the Great Lakes, entering Canada via Buffalo. The Canadian route is definitely more scenic but a couple hours longer. Gas is obviously more expensive and lodging can get challenging but there are places to stop on the north side of L. Huron (Perry Sound KOA, hometown of Bobby Orr :).

I think you'll enjoy the road trip no matter which route you choose. Happy Trails!

I've been driving from north central WV to the BW for quite a few years. I went via Chicago until I went through Mi and the UP; never went back by Chicago. It's much easier, way more relaxed and scenic. I have gone back home from Grand Marais through Canada, which is maybe 50 miles longer than through the UP. I would definitely go through MI and the UP. Same caveats about services across CA, so fill up in Sault Ste. Marie.

You stated that you'll be driving in the dark during the route in question. So being scenic isn't really a factor. I would go the route with the most available services in case they're needed

Chicago route has improved in past few years with total rebuild of 90 to Rockford and 39/90 north to Madison. Much better, but also tolls and higher gas prices.

I'll make a pitch for a third option - maybe one way - and that's the USS Badger Ludington MI to Mantiwoc WI. I did it last fall and wonderful trip. I was in Door county and heading east and felt like about same time. A little expensive perhaps. At IRS business mileage, it was about equal for me to going around Lake Michigan.

Michigan is beautiful and I suggest that too, but whenever I had the chance to skirt Chicago or drive through it, I also went through it because I love it, from the gritty industry in the south and that great, deep quarry to its mighty skyscrapers.

billconner: "I'll make a pitch for a third option - maybe one way - and that's the USS Badger Ludington MI to Mantiwoc WI. I did it last fall and wonderful trip. "

Geez Bill... you were in the neighborhood and didn't even call?

North of Superior - the very first IMAX film from 1971. The link has a video where the film begins at about the 32 minute mark. Just watch the opening few minutes before you decide your route.

http://povmagazine.com/blog/view/watch-tiffs-special-presentation-of-north-of-superior

Hey guys, thanks! Sounds nearly unanimous to me, hard to do nowadays!

Bobbernumber3- I have been on here for awhile, I am not great with this stuff, I typed out my question and it would not let me post it, I guess I had to be logged-in, so I made up a name as a shout-out to my Minn./Norwegian roots in S. Minn. My Ma was born in Delavan, and the farm was in a town called Good Thunder. My actual name here is "Allfish".

Blatz- Thank for the tip, I guess all we really need at that point in the drive is a Timmy's and some gas!

Billconnor- Roger that on the road improvements up on the Ill./Wisc. line, we drove thru there a few years back when it was in progress, and we didn't know where the heck we were going!

Thanks again everybody, I hope your portages are short, and the bugs aren't too bad! BWCA.com ROCKS!!!

Best,

Allfish

One more suggestion. We LOVED the Serendipity Gardens Cafe in Rockport, ONT. They also have some rooms in a guest house that looks like it is wonderful, but I am sure you would need an advance reservation. The cafe has a relaxed atmosphere and very fresh, tasty food.

I would like to be able to go that route again just to stop there, but because we take our granddaughter with us and she lives in a northern Chicago suburb, it would not be possible.

Thanks to all!