Community Forums

lkin · 09-17-2015, 11:14 PM

Looking for a route to avoid 90, and the chicago area.

Arch Hoagland · 09-17-2015, 11:46 PM

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Rapi...45.7774987!3e0

Put your cursor on the route and drag it...the map will change with a new route.

mojoracing · 09-18-2015, 05:14 AM

Come into wisconsin through lacrosse. Off the top of my head, head north on 51 through wausau, minocqua and all the way north to the u.p. then whatever hwy it is east and to mak island

mojoracing · 09-18-2015, 05:15 AM

Taking this route you'll cross into Michigan in hurley.

mojoracing · 09-18-2015, 05:19 AM

Okay I looked at the map. It's a bit out of the way. You could always take another highway north and east through Wisconsin and into the Upper Peninsula but taking 51 you do go to the western part of the Upper Peninsula but you get to see the nicest parts of Wisconsin and this time of year the colors in northern Wisconsin and the u.p. are just gorgeous

Gheidbrink · 09-18-2015, 06:11 AM

The trip across US2 in Michigan UP is worth going out of you way. Beautiful drive and good roads.

Arch Hoagland · 09-18-2015, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gheidbrink

The trip across US2 in Michigan UP is worth going out of you way. Beautiful drive and good roads.

I agree. We crossed the whole country on 2 and enjoyed it.

georgio744 · 09-18-2015, 10:18 AM

Or you could board the Badger at Manitowoc WI and get off in Ludington, MI. I've done it a few times to avoid Chicago.
-George

JMonroe · 09-18-2015, 11:07 AM

Can't imagine a route from Rapid City to Mackinac including Chicago. Take 90 into Wisconsin and turn left!

While in Wisconsin head straight across from Tomah on Highway 21 to 41 at Oshkosh, up to Green Bay and onto the Door Peninsula. From there you can head back around the bay and head up into the U-P and over to Mackinac. Alternately you could turn north when you hit 51, maybe stop in the Minocqua / Woodruff area for a bit and then up and over.

Lots of very pleasant opportunities that will come no where near the windy city.

twogypsies · 09-18-2015, 01:23 PM

Hwy 2 is how you want to go.

skigramp · 09-18-2015, 01:51 PM

You said you wanted to avoid I-90 and Chicago.

I have travelled some of this route, but not all ... and they are all good two lane roads ... and lots of great scenery.

If you go to Google Maps (or any other mapping program you have access to) and enter this route:

Rapid City, SD ...
Pierre, SD ...
Superior, WI and
Sault St. Marie, MI

you will find a nice route that satisfies your requirements.

I have stayed at nice public campgrounds in Pierre, Duluth (across from Superior) and several in the UP of Michigan.

If you would like a little "detour" for more great scenery travel along the North Shore of Lake Superior from Duluth to Split Rock Lighthouse. And in Michigan The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Park is pretty spectacular ... and while in the vicinity make sure you enjoy a local specialty "pasties" ( pronounced Past -tees) ...

ahicks · 09-18-2015, 07:19 PM

If you are going to take the scenic route and go across the UP, there are 2 options for crossing the UP. I think 2 can be boring myself (when you've seen trees for so long, they all look alike?). M28 might be a better option in my opinion. That's just a little further north and runs parallel w/2. If you have the time, this lets you pick from a lot of pretty popular places people talk about for a long time after returning home.

Porcupine Mountain State Park (Lake of the Clouds)
Copper Harbor (Brockway Mountain Drive is breathtaking in clear weather!)
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (between Munising and Grand Marias)
Tahquamenan Falls/Paradise/Whitefish Point
Aunne Osborne Park in the Soo (lake freighter watching!)
Lots of waterfalls, and plenty of lighthouses everywhere.

Then go down the Lake Michigan side of the lower on the way back (another long list of must see's!). By time you get to Chicago, you'll be so relaxed you won't mind that part of the drive at all!

If you are leaving soon, please don't eat all the fudge in Mackinac. If it will be a couple of weeks or more, be warned I'm already fasting so I have room for as much as possible when we come through. I'll try to leave some behind though.... -Al

Gheidbrink · 09-18-2015, 07:36 PM

Highway 28 is a great road but does not compare to highway 2, wich will follow Lake Michigan shore from Esganaba to the bridge. Is isome of the most scenic highway in Michigan, next to following the west coast down the lower peninsula!

lkin · 09-18-2015, 08:43 PM

Thanks all for the routing advice. We may have to take 90 all the way to oshkosh, as I am having trouble finding campgrounds that are open this late in the season. Many more along 90. But great advice, especially for when we turn north.