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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Driving directions
 
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singlebladecanoe
09/16/2020 04:02PM
  
just mapped out the different routes:


the way gps/google suggest through chicago - 20 hours 12 min 1271 miles
bypass chicago via south - 20 hours 56 minutes 1317 miles
north through UP - 22 hours 25 min 1356 miles
AND if I make a detour to check out Lehman's on the way then up through the UP - 22 hours 31 minutes 1406 miles
 
tumblehome
09/16/2020 06:54PM
  
danbogey:
Just got back 2 days ago. I'm in Pittsburgh and went both ways. The way up, I went through the upper peninsula and came home the Chicago way. If an hour or two is no issue then I'd go through the UP both ways. On my way home I encountered some serious rainy weather from Duluth all the way to Chicago. That weather caused a 20+ mile back up on the highway heading back to Duluth because of an accident. There was no way anyone was getting through that for 4 or 5 hours. .



I drove 18+ hours straight up so I could get out on the water early and took a rest stop (hotel)


I wonder if I met you on a portage. Do you have that beautiful blue solo? You were heading to Malberg? I was with my niece with a dark wood cedarstrip canoe.
Tom

 
Boppasteveg
09/20/2020 08:08PM
  
You can select "Avoid Tolls" on your GPS.
 
johndku
09/16/2020 08:23AM
  
BandanaDan: "We are in Ohio and also like to avoid Chicago. The trip through Michigan is a little longer, but the drive across the UP is something we really look forward to."


Also from Ohio, and agree with Bandana Dan. I'll do anything to avoid going through Chicago, and don't mind an extra hour or two and another hundred miles or so.


You might find the total driving time not that different if you're passing through Chicago in mid-day or rush hour when traffic sucks.
 
singlebladecanoe
09/14/2020 09:34AM
  
I am planning a trip starting this weekend and looking at the driving directions that Google and my GPS is routing me. I am coming from VA and everything is routing me through Chicago and is loaded with tolls in Chicago. I am looking to avoid Chicago at all costs. Anyone from down my neck of the woods ever go up through Michigan and then cut across west once on the UP? Or taken 80 west to 39 north bypassing Chicago to the south?
 
BandanaDan
09/14/2020 10:26AM
  
We are in Ohio and also like to avoid Chicago. The trip through Michigan is a little longer, but the drive across the UP is something we really look forward to.
 
smoke11
09/14/2020 10:32AM
  
When i went up in June from NC the tolls were unmanned we drove straight thru.I just received bill in mail for a little over 12 dollars. It was worth it to us for time saved.
 
joeandali
09/14/2020 10:45AM
  
We come from central Ohio and just drive around the outside a Chicago. Avoid going through the center of the city at all costs, I have had backups on a Sunday afternoon.
 
plander
09/14/2020 11:00AM
  
I'm in Indianapolis. I have driven to the BWCA three times this year and a couple times to Northern Wisconsin. Every time I have gone through Chicago (I-65/I-80/94/I-294/I-290/I-90 route) in both directions. Timing has been in the morning, in the evening, weekdays and weekends. Since COVID-19 and the social distancing thing started all toll booths are closed.

I used to avoid Chicago and head up I-39 but I no longer do that. In my experience, the traffic doesn't seem as bad in the Chicagoland area as compared to previous years, even during the traditional rush hour times... and you can pay the toll online. For paying the toll online wait a week or so after traveling on the toll roads and you can search your license plate number and find what you owe and pay online. Also, if you have I-Pass or EZ-Pass it will bill to them directly (and you get the 50% discount). I have the Indiana EZ-Pass and it works without incident.


For more info on paying Illinois tolls online, click here .
 
danbogey
09/14/2020 11:23AM
  
singlebladecanoe: "I am planning a trip starting this weekend and looking at the driving directions that Google and my GPS is routing me. I am coming from VA and everything is routing me through Chicago and is loaded with tolls in Chicago. I am looking to avoid Chicago at all costs. Anyone from down my neck of the woods ever go up through Michigan and then cut across west once on the UP? Or taken 80 west to 39 north bypassing Chicago to the south?"


Just got back 2 days ago. I'm in Pittsburgh and went both ways. The way up, I went through the upper peninsula and came home the Chicago way. If an hour or two is no issue then I'd go through the UP both ways. On my way home I encountered some serious rainy weather from Duluth all the way to Chicago. That weather caused a 20+ mile back up on the highway heading back to Duluth because of an accident. There was no way anyone was getting through that for 4 or 5 hours. .


If I were to do this again, and I will, I'll go through the UP each time. The only time I think that I'd do the Chicago route is if I could hit it later in the evening (10 pm and beyond). Not only does this alleviate possible traffic but gives me choices on places to stay if I'm too tired.


I drove 18+ hours straight up so I could get out on the water early and took a rest stop (hotel) on the way back in Janesville. I did the trip solo.
 
AmarilloJim
09/14/2020 02:21PM
  
They will schedule construction at night so that isn't a sure bet either.
 
Michwall2
09/14/2020 02:22PM
  
The UP is lovely and should be experienced at least once, but it is also not the quickest drive.


How about the I-70 west all the way to Indianapolis? Then I-74 to Bloomington, IL where you pick up I-39 at it's southern terminus.


Since I don't know where in Virginia you are, I did a quick comparison from Columbus, OH to Duluth, MN


Through Chicago it is 12:26. Through Bloomington, IL it is 13:15. It appears to add about 45 min. I am certain that is less than through Michigan. I-90 has a short section of toll from Rockford to the Wisconsin state line. A car is $1.90 without I-Pass (or similar)


There was some construction in the south Rockford area, but I think that is done now. There is some construction in the Beloit to Madison, WI corridor of I-90/I-39. Usually is not a problem. The new 3 lane sections are wonderful!


Hope you have a great trip!
 
hexnymph
09/14/2020 02:56PM
  
Fall colors are starting here in the U.P....


Speed limits were increased on most of the main drags....


If you follow US2 you will pass Kitch iti kipi, and there you should stop, you will not regret it....


Chicago pasties are terrible!


Oh, and Chicago traffic.... Holy Wha!


Just sayin


Hex
 
blutofish1
09/18/2020 06:38AM
  
Michwall2: "The UP is lovely and should be experienced at least once, but it is also not the quickest drive.



How about the I-70 west all the way to Indianapolis? Then I-74 to Bloomington, IL where you pick up I-39 at it's southern terminus.



Since I don't know where in Virginia you are, I did a quick comparison from Columbus, OH to Duluth, MN



Through Chicago it is 12:26. Through Bloomington, IL it is 13:15. It appears to add about 45 min. I am certain that is less than through Michigan. I-90 has a short section of toll from Rockford to the Wisconsin state line. A car is $1.90 without I-Pass (or similar)



There was some construction in the south Rockford area, but I think that is done now. There is some construction in the Beloit to Madison, WI corridor of I-90/I-39. Usually is not a problem. The new 3 lane sections are wonderful!



Hope you have a great trip!" +1 Don't like driving thru Chicago at all
 
JATFOMike
09/15/2020 09:10AM
  
Michwall2: "The UP is lovely and should be experienced at least once, but it is also not the quickest drive.



How about the I-70 west all the way to Indianapolis? Then I-74 to Bloomington, IL where you pick up I-39 at it's southern terminus.



Since I don't know where in Virginia you are, I did a quick comparison from Columbus, OH to Duluth, MN



Through Chicago it is 12:26. Through Bloomington, IL it is 13:15. It appears to add about 45 min. I am certain that is less than through Michigan. I-90 has a short section of toll from Rockford to the Wisconsin state line. A car is $1.90 without I-Pass (or similar)



There was some construction in the south Rockford area, but I think that is done now. There is some construction in the Beloit to Madison, WI corridor of I-90/I-39. Usually is not a problem. The new 3 lane sections are wonderful!



Hope you have a great trip!"


I am heading up in two days and agree with Michwall2 as to his recommendations.....I have to drive up to Chicago every other month or so for work from Southern Ohio and dread the drive...between the tolls, traffic, and just poor condition of the roads, I try to avoid at all costs.......I enjoy the UP drive, but from my experience it adds about 3 hours drive time and if you hit it late, you could have trouble finding a gas station open....when we run the UP route, we usually take two days.....


Mike
 
singlebladecanoe
09/15/2020 04:02PM
  
Thanks everyone. Gives me some things to think about. Plan is to leave Friday morning and allow for 2 days travel there from my place in the western part of VA ( just over the mountains from Charlottesville). My permit does not start till Sunday so figured 2 days would be good for the 20 hour drive.
 
Podunk
09/15/2020 04:41PM
  
I'm just south of Indy. It's been a few years but for me it was always I74 to Bloomington then 39 north. Less traffic and construction, less confusion as to exits, etc. Seems like for years the Chicago interstates were under construction.
 
Canoeinggal
09/15/2020 09:17PM
  
We have traveled from Nashville , Tn to Michigan through UP to Boundary Waters because we have relatives in Cairo, MI and Mercer, WI. Yes, MI is out of way. But LOVED the drive and pasties. We usually go straight through on 39 north. ( 51 back in the day) Pay your electronic toll within the month or they’ll charge you a fee. Hope this helps!
 
Fearlessleader
09/16/2020 10:33AM
  
We are also from central Ohio. Yes it’s a little longer going through the UP , but after doing this trip for almost 50 years we will go through Michigan 9 out of 10 times. Both routes 2 and 28 are largely 65 mph and much better scenery.
If you must go the other way, skirt Chicago to the south.
 
gymcoachdon
09/16/2020 11:44AM
  
Indianapolis area here, and I would recommend the I-74 to I-39 as well. I have gone through Chicago on these trips, and all it takes is one minor fender bender to turn that 45 minute gain into a frustrating 1:30 loss.