Summer Trip-- PA to WI, and back

[aeropilot]

Guys and Gals, need some trip planning thoughts and sights to see along the way. I am going to make it to EAA's AirVenture 2012 this year, finally, after having it on my list of places to get to since becoming a private pilot years ago. Well, can't afford to go by General Aviation, don't feel like flying in a Commercial mailing tube, and it's just me,... so... taking the Nomad is the plan. I've done a few 250-320 mile day trips / rides lately, and the bike and I are quite comfortable, so I figure two days each way is a good plan.

I'll be traveling from SouthEast PA to near Dayton OH on day 1, and then from Dayton OH to Oshkosh WI on day 2. about 530 miles each day and a wide open schedule. After attending the airshow and camping with friends for a few days, I'll be leaving mid-week to begin the trip home, again in a 2 day stretch. Of course, things may change due to any heavy summer storm weather, but I have some days buffer before I have to get back to work.

So attached are my current route plans, decent amount of highway pounding, but I don't mind getting off of them for a little while to see something of Roadside Americana as they call it. It will be quite a few years till I get to do any trip of this scale again on the bike.

Any places of interest to stop and sight see that you can recommend? Even if it is just a leg stretch and a photo op, it would be great to get to if it is close to my intended direction of travel. something like the largest bottle of catsup comes to mind, but that is to far west from my path to get to this time around.

[fish]

I envy you. I would like to go to Ely Mn.

[mobandy78]

When I first opened your pictures to see your route, my first thought was "Why don't you go through South Bend and along the lake?", but then I saw your return route and that's what you're doing. Looks like fun.

I'm not sure the distance, but you could run up to Lansing, MI and then over to Ann Arbor and check out the school stadiums... that could be some photo ops. I think college football stadiums are always a sight to see... but then again, I'm a college football junkie, so I like that kind of stuff.

OH, BTW... enjoy Oshkosh! I want to go there one of these days. Getting my pilot's license and going there is on my bucket list too.

[Sin City Stan]

No excursion recommendations but a warning. Make sure when you go up the gut on I94 through Chicago that you do it mid day. I can't begin to explain trying during morning or evening rush. Ugly in a car. Life threatening on a bike.

[jendesigner]

I agree with the above post 1000 percent. Hate that area, I avoid it on every trip. Also more then likely there will be construction, check IDOT before your trip, should let you know what areas will be under construction.

[aeropilot]

Originally Posted by Sin City Stan

No excursion recommendations but a warning. Make sure when you go up the gut on I94 through Chicago that you do it mid day. I can't begin to explain trying during morning or evening rush. Ugly in a car. Life threatening on a bike.

Goal being to take the 294 around downtown, hopefully around 10:30-11 am on SUNDAY. Hopefully some lighter traffic at that time. That is also why my route home (expected to leave on a Thursday from OSH, is taking me west of the chicagoland area and then east on 80. I figured it would be much worse during the week.

[Sin City Stan]

Originally Posted by aeropilot

Goal being to take the 294 around downtown, hopefully around 10:30-11 am on SUNDAY. Hopefully some lighter traffic at that time.

Check the baseball schedules to see if the Cubs or Sox are in town that Sunday. You might want to get through there a bit earlier if they are. Both stadiums are off of I90 but I294 crosses I90 on the North and I55 on the South. Both are choke points if both teams are in town. If you want to see chaos try and get through that town when the Sox, Cubs and Bears all play on a Sunday.

You might want to check the Brewers schedule also although, Milwaukee traffic doesn't hold a candle to Chicago.

[aeropilot]

Good tips, thanks. I wouldn't have thought of checking the sports schedules.

[glwilson]

I'll report back with suggestions.

Lived in the area most all my life and have been on about every route. There are a few things to avoid for certain no matter what time of day.

[bibendum]

My advice is don't spend a penny unless you have to in thay god forsaken liberal cespool that is IL.

[glwilson]

If you have never been through Chicago... I would not ride a motorcycle there. Certainly not on the interstates going through and around the city. It is simply far too dangerous. There are plenty that do, and I know of at least one here that does, but those people live around the city and are used to it... but I would bet not a single one would recommend anyone not from the area do it. That is my bottom-line on recommendations regarding the Gary and Chicago area -- avoid it!

Instead I would ride further west on I-74 out of Indianapolis, IN to Bloomington, IL to pickup I-55N and then I-39N (on north side of Bloomington, IL).

Take I-39 to Rockford, IL to merge with I-90W (at Rockford) up to Madison, WI... split-off on SR-151N, then to SR-41N to Oshkosh, WI. (41 takes you right by Wittman Field / Airport.)

This route is entirely on a slab. Non-stop from your location is around 18 hours total drive time. On a motorcycle it will be longer (you be the judge). However, this route helps you avoid being killed by avoiding Chicago.

Second idea is to ride to Muskegon, Michigan and take the Lake Express Ferry across Lake Michigan to Milwaukee. Getting out of Milwaukee isn't all that bad if you take the morning ferry that arrives at 11:45AM in Milwaukee. The ferry ride is about 1 hour 15 minutes, and is nice. Costs about $47.50 or so one-way for a motorcycle. You avoid Chicago doing this; get a ferry ride on the lake; and I believe it is far less mileage in total.

Send me a PM if you have questions.

You'll love the Oshkosh air-show. I have attended many times, and have flown my own plane into Wittman Field twice to the show (that was an experience to fly double-breasted into the field... landing side-by-side with other planes at the same time. World's busiest airport on the Saturday of the show. Great experience.) Wear comfortable shoes!!

Good luck, and enjoy the show...

[bibendum]

I like the ferry idea, ferrys are awesome. $50 seems steep, but when you weigh the cost of gas to ride around the lake, sure looks more appealing. I rode from Washington dc to Detroit in 7hrs, so about 10 I think to ride to the ferry. I think your starting point gives you about an hour jump on that... Could stay overnight in mi, and take the ferry over.

[aeropilot]

gwilson, thanks for the great tips. I often run the 95 corridor thru Phili down to DC, but, I've heard Chicago can put that traffic to shame. A few years ago my wife and I traveled to the Twin Cities and went thru Gary and out to Rockford like you mentioned. I was going to go that route on the way home to avoid chicago during the week, but I like your Ferry Idea too.

On the way west, I have free lodging at a friends house which is about half way, so I modified my west route to incorporate your comments.

Going back east, I think I'll pick up the Ferry and then head east thru Michigan. I sent some emails to some other pilot friends that are up that way which I may be able to find a couch to say at. My wife will be up at her families Cabin with the kids (stop C) on the way home, so that will break up the trip nicely.

Attached are some revised maps. I also found this website, www.roadsideamerica.com that has oddities and tourist type places to find along a route or in a state. Definitely some places to grab some photos while stretching the legs and filling up the gas tank.

[bibendum]

So, how many miles doess the ferry save?

[glwilson]

I'll bet the ferry saves some miles just by looking at the map. As far as saving time... not so sure.

But for certain these routes avoids Chicago; which is a good thing.

Glad to see you rearranged your trip... have fun!