Community Forums

rving4us · 08-17-2016, 01:47 PM

Anyone have any thoughts on the best route from Cody, WY. to Middlebury, IN. and away to avoid Chicago.
Thanks in advance.

BFlinn181 · 08-17-2016, 03:09 PM

If you REALLY hate Chicago and must avoid it, you could Leave Cody on US 14 to US 20 to Shoshoni,WY, then US 26 to Casper. I-25 to I-80 at Cheyenne. At Omaha, NE south on I-29 to Kansas City MO. East on I-70 to Indianapolis, then North on US 31 until it intersects US 20, East to Middlebury, IN. 1,729 miles, 26 hrs.

Alternate would be to use US 14 to US 16, through the Bighorn Mtns, to I-90, to Middlebury is 1,410 miles, 22 hr.

If you tune to traffic reports near Chicago, you can try alternate routes US 6 or US 30, but if I-90 is a traffic mess, those alternates usually are too. You could also time your travel through Chicago area at an off hour.

oldsman41 · 08-17-2016, 08:19 PM

over the road trucker 35 years i understand the discontent with chi traffic. you can plan the trip and do i80 all the way just plan on hitting chi on 80 around 1am. still isnt great but not horrible. during the week isnt bad dont try it friday or saturday drunk crazies are out.by the time you bypass it you will waste more time than if you go through.

mrboyer · 08-20-2016, 09:59 AM

I suggest that you take I-80 to I-39 in Illinois turn south about 40 miles to turn east onto US-24 to US-31 in Indiana, turn north to US-20 just south of South Bend, and turn east to Indiana 13 turn north to get to Middlebury.

Suggest eating at the Essenhaus and the Blue Gate.

jacwjames · 08-20-2016, 03:10 PM

Can understand your feeling on Chicago driving. I've driven the motorhome straight through without issue and also have been stuck in traffic for hours but it has gotten worse.

Agree that I80 is your best option and get south of Chicago, it reality when you are driving that distance the extra mileage won't add too much to the trip.

CC Driver · 08-20-2016, 06:44 PM

Just drove that last week, or close to it. US 20 across to I380 to I80 to I74 to Indianapolis, and then where ever you want. Nice park in Atkinson Ne. Or you can drop down US275 at Oneil, another nice ride. Lots of construction in Iowa on 20, but manageable. We liked not having to deal with all the truckers and idiot 4wheelers that think you can stop a 32K MH on a dime.. Some rough road in both NE and IA, it same on the interstate system also.