Michigan to Badlands

[mortsciAndy]

First time travel trailer owner. Recently upgraded from a pop up. In July we will be taking a trip out to the Badlands. What is the easiest way to get around the Chicago area?

[rk911]

assuming you’re in lower michigan i’d come down to I-80; take that west to I-39; north to where it meets up with I-90 and then just follow 90 to the badlands.

if you’re in northermln MI or the UP you might consider I-75 north then cross the bridge; pick up US 2/US 41/I-41/US 10 to I-90 at Tomah.

[twogypsies]

I hope you won't have to end your trip at the Badlands. You can basically do an easy drive through the park unless you want to do a lot of hiking. There is a campground at the park. If you have time at least get over to Custer State Park area.

[mortsciAndy]

Originally Posted by rk911

assuming you’re in lower michigan i’d come down to I-80; take that west to I-39; north to where it meets up with I-90 and then just follow 90 to the badlands.

if you’re in northermln MI or the UP you might consider I-75 north then cross the bridge; pick up US 2/US 41/I-41/US 10 to I-90 at Tomah.

We live in Battle Creek so I can take I69 down to 80.

[mortsciAndy]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

I hope you won't have to end your trip at the Badlands. You can basically do an easy drive through the park unless you want to do a lot of hiking. There is a campground at the park. If you have time at least get over to Custer State Park area.

We are actually staying 2 nights at the Badlands. Figure we can do the majority of the hikes and scenic turn off areas. After that we are staying at Blue Bell Campground at Custer and doing some things in that area.

[Cooperhawk]

Originally Posted by rk911

assuming you’re in lower michigan i’d come down to I-80; take that west to I-39; north to where it meets up with I-90 and then just follow 90 to the badlands.

We do just the opposite going east to see our daughter. I will not go through downtown Chicago! I-80 will still get you into enough traffic. I-90 will set you back quite a bit in tolls alone.

[Warmrock]

Hey all, I am kinda doing the same thing in reverse coming down from Minneapolis to Holland. Sounds like the recommendation is to take I90 all the way to I80 and avoid the 294 bypass all together. Correct?

Thanks!

[Cooperhawk]

Originally Posted by Warmrock

Hey all, I am kinda doing the same thing in reverse coming down from Minneapolis to Holland. Sounds like the recommendation is to take I90 all the way to I80 and avoid the 294 bypass all together. Correct?
Thanks!

Not me! Take I-90 to I-39 at Rockford, then south on I-39 to I-80. The 210 bypass is just as bad as going through the city.

It is a bit further, but with a lot less traffic.

[Cooperhawk]

If I was going further south I would even go further south to I-70.

We have family in Chicago but when we visit there we drive our car and stay in a hotel. A lot more fun.