Illinois/Indiana natives: need trip advice

[Chevy454]

I'm headed to Martin, Michigan for a race in a few weeks, and I'm debating just how to get there. I've gone to Stanton through both Chicago and Indy, but I am undecided which is better. I always go to St. Louis and over, it's just a matter of where I go from there. From St. Louis, Mapquest said 456 miles (7 1/2 hours) to Martin through Chicago, or 511 miles (8 1/2 hours) to Martin through Indy.

So, any of you Illinois or Indiana natives got any tips? My main worry is that I will be rolling into Chicago about 5pm or so, right in the middle of rush hour, in a crew cab TopKick with a 46ft 5th wheel...not exactly the perfect commuter vehicle.

So, is there an easy way through or around Chicago other than Indy? Is 31N out of Indy decent?

How would YOU go?

[Belair62]

Rob...go thru Indy if you want to keep your sanity...coming thru here at 5pm will cost you the extra hour anyway I bet.

[JChlupsa]

Indy is the way. Got my first driving lesson from my dad during rush hour traffic on a friday afternoon on the Chicago Loop. Not fun when your only 15 at the time and have a old PLY S/Wagon to get around in. All he did was laugh the whole trip home to Freeport.

Or adjust your times to miss all the traffic but when does Chicago not have traffic.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

I'd go through Indy as well, I have tried to get through both cities during rush hour traffic during various business trips - Indy was much easier. Indy has that nice beltway, and puts you back on Rt. 31 which takes you straight North!

[John Brown]

Rob, If you go thru Indy and north on 31, you'll go right thru South Bend. If you were to get here a day early Terry and I could help you make your Yenko a little....... "more stock". [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif[/img]

[COPO PETE]

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Rob, If you go thru Indy and north on 31, you'll go right thru South Bend. If you were to get here a day early Terry and I could help you make your Yenko a little....... "more stock". [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif[/img]

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[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]
Peter

[John Brown]

Rob, No B/S this time. I checked on your pump & bracket last night. I'll be delivering it to Martin myself, unless it jumps of the truck and and can find its way to Missouri sooner.

As for your trip route, I'd go I-55 north to I-80 east, staying south of Chi-town then following I-94 east all the way to Kalamazoo, then US 131 North to Martin.

You don't get into Chicago proper this way, you stay south of town. It doesn't guarantee you won't have any traffic grief, just be sure NOT to take I-94 NORTH into town [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]. Besides, you'll look like another Semi and the cars will try to stay away from you.

US 31 north of Indy to South bend is a 4-lane money machine for the state, plus there are way too many stop lights, both on US31 in Indiana and US131 in Michigan. John

[moparts]

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Besides, you'll look like another Semi and the cars will try to stay away from you.


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Hey Rob they have seen you drive!!!!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif[/img]

[MotownMadman]

Rob,
Martin is too far south for this to work, but next time you go to Stanton head straight up into Wisconsin and follow the lake, you can take yourself and your vehicles across on the ferry that crosses lake Michigan and lands in Ludington which is due west of Stanton. Really beautiful trip. When you head to Martin Rob get in touch with me and I will shoot down and meet you since it is rather close to my home.
Thanks,
Motown [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif[/img]

[Chevy454]

Thanks for the replies, fellas...I was actually leaning toward Indy, and you guys sealed the deal. I've been up and back both ways, but except for some truck trouble EVERY TIME I've been through Terra Haute (changing rear wheel studs on my dually beside I-70 @ 9pm sucked!), the Indy route seemed smoother!

John:
That's a thought, and an EXTREMELY generous offer, but it may not be possible...I'm picking SmallHurst's car up somewhere along the way, and I'm not sure when he can leave work-wise. It would make for a nice "free day", though! Think you or "the Pennington gang" could manage to get my 3116 pump/bracket to the track from your buddy up there?

Motown:
We're racing on May 23rd, and I think the gates open @ 9am. We gotta be out of there by 5pm, so it should be a full day. Look for the big, black truck/trailer combo with Missouri tags...