Need some travel advice for Cleveland

[mharrison]

The wife is wanting to go to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. We'll be leaving just east of Kansas City, from what I've been told I-70 through Indiana is terrible. Any advice about that route or another route with decent roads? Google maps show a northern route that's longer.

 

[EricM22]

Can confirm, everything from Indianapolis up to the Ohio border on I-70 is AWFUL, bumpiest roads I've ever encountered. Indiana should be ashamed of itself. I felt like my whole rig was going to shake apart.

Just this past May we came back from a trip out west and had to drop our son off in Cleveland for a wedding before returning home, and the GPS had us go I-70 from Indy into Columbus, then up I-71 into Cleveland. I'm unaware of any other good way to do it.

Good news is that our 37 foot super C towing a car was pretty easy to get into the heart of downtown Cleveland with no issues, so you should be fine.

 

[mharrison]

Thanks for the info, I really don't want to destroy our travel trailer and everything in it. I need to check on that northern route and find out if those roads are better.

 

[mharrison]

I wonder how this route would be? About the same distance.

 

[markb5900]

The northern route at the section near the south end of Lake Michigan/Chicago will have you hating life due to traffic. It starts about 4 am with trucks and it stays bad till about 8pm.
I would not take my trailer there, I don’t even like to drive it in a car.
This is coming from someone that isn’t bothered at all by Atlanta. LOL

 

[Bugzilla46310]

Agree with the northern route comments. Can be a nightmare in Chicago and the crime is going through the roof. There are many nice secondary roads that lets you see America. I take them often with our 33RBTS. It will take more time but often worth it for the sights you see. Lafayette to Ft. Wayne is a nice road.

 

[mharrison]

Sounds like I need to put a little more thought into a route. I'm not really interested in going there but my wife wants to go. Parking around the Rock of Fame could be a problem also, my wife has severe arthritis, walks with a cane and due to a doc screwing up a knee replacement one leg is now shorter than the other. She refuses to get handicap plates.

 

[mharrison]

Looking at the map 40hwy runs along I-70, could be a slower but better option than I-70 as a secondary road, then take 71 north. Or I could take 64 out of St. Louis and then 71 north. We're retired so time on the road isn't an issue, just like to have a good route for an enjoyable trip.

 

[KCSA75]

From your map it looks like your out near Grain Valley or Odessa Mo. We're it me, I find my way north and get on U.S. 36 and take it to Indy.

When you hit Indy, you can avoid a lot of traffic by taking I-465 around the north side of the city to I-69. Follow that to Fort Wayne then pick up U.S 24 to Toldedo. I've traveled those roads several times without issue. Lots of corn, but good roads.

After you get to Toldeo you're on your own though. I've never been to Cleveland.

 

[mharrison]

From your map it looks like your out near Grain Valley, Mo. or just beyond. We're it me, I would go north and get on U.S. 36 and take it to Indy, I-69 to Fort Wayne then U.S. 24 to Toledo. I've traveled those roads serveral times without issue. Lots of corn, but good roads. But from Toledo to Cleveland, you're on your own.

Yep, Lexington, Mo. We bought our TT at Trailside RV in Grain Valley. 36 is a good road we've driven it to Hannibal a few times. I'll check that route, thanks.

 

[mharrison]

If I plotted the points right this looks like the route you mentioned. Any campground suggestions along the route?

 

[NEWS4US]

Why not pick up US30 east to 71. Just been prepared from Bucyrus to 71. Cheaper than tool roads.

 

[newsleet]

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[Pauls72]

I-80 from west of I-55 in IL to past I-65 in IN has a fair amount of construction. I-80 from I-294 to I-65 is the area of heavy traffic. If you go through this area on Saturday or Sunday morning or late afternoon/evening traffic isn't bad.Just stay from the middle of the days on weekends and totally avoid weekdays.

If you don't have one, get an EZ-Pass toll transponder. I-80 has tolls in part of IL, IN and OH.

Parts of US30 are 4 lane divided hwy with limited access. Other parts go through shopping areas and residential with lots of traffic lights.

 

[GuanoJuano]

I'm in northern Indiana and travel all these roads quite often. 24 from Fort Wayne to 80 is fine. I don't like the tolls and prefer 30 to 71. 30 is starting to get busier nowadays though. But still more enjoyable to travel. 80 around Chicago is horrible traffic. Get it at a bad time and you will be sitting and barely moving for what could be an hour or more. You looking for campgrounds on your way? Depending on your rig, if you are looking for a place to stay the night around Fort Wayne area you would be welcome to stop by my place for the night. I let people stay here all the time through boondockerswelcome.

 

[GuanoJuano]

Parts of US30 are 4 lane divided hwy with limited access. Other parts go through shopping areas and residential with lots of traffic lights.

US 30 is 4 lane with limited access past Mansfield, OH. Which is where you would catch 71 to Cleveland. Pretty much an interstate highway. Plenty of rest areas. No "shopping areas" or traffic lights.