Portland, OR to Traverse City, MI

[JacxClark]

Hello! I am going to be driving from Portland, OR to Traverse City, MI on June 1st. I have a Mazda CX-5 with a 5x8' trailer in tow. I am debating between driving on I-90 E and I-94 E or taking I-84 E and I-80 E. My husband has some experience driving with a trailer this size, but I do not and want to be able to help him whenever he gets tired. Any recommendations or thoughts on these two routes? Thank you in advanced, hope everyone is doing well out there!

[Agesilaus]

A 5X8 trailer should hardly be noticeable, just be careful driving in tight areas and parking.

[450Donn]

I84/80 is boring, but probably your best choice. Cabbage hill out of Pendelton is a climb, but probably doable even towing a trailer. From there on its fairly flat to the Rockies.

[rk911]

90/94 will take you thru chicago while 80 will skirt the far southern suburbs which makes it my choice. 90E to 39S to 80E around the bottom of the lake. then 94E/196. from there it’s your choice.

[twogypsies]

As stated, you won't even notice the trailer behind you.

2255 miles - I'd recommend taking 84/82/90/94 to Fargo ND and pick up 10/34 into Walker, MN then 200/2 across the Upper Peninsula. Hwy 2 is gorgeous. This way you're coming in from the north and will avoid all of Chicago area traffic and southern Michigan's lake traffic.

2423 mi - 84/80 to Chicago

[pduggs]

I’m a life long Michiganian, but also worked in Chicago for awhile. We’ve camped the entire state. If you like the wilderness and dislike big city traffic, I suggest you take the route through the UP and then over the Mackinac Bridge.

Don’t forget to check out Mackinac Island, Petoskey, and the Glen Lake area. All are very beautiful. Hopefully everything is open for your enjoyment.

[rk911]

Originally Posted by pduggs

I’m a life long Michiganian, but also worked in Chicago for awhile. We’ve camped the entire state. If you like the wilderness and dislike big city traffic, I suggest you take the route through the UP and then over the Mackinac Bridge.

Don’t forget to check out Mackinac Island, Petoskey, and the Glen Lake area. All are very beautiful. Hopefully everything is open for your enjoyment.

i'll second that idea...much, much better than my route idea. Munising, MI and Sault Ste Mari, MI. if you stop at SSM consider the city owned Aune Osborn RV park.

[beaverfever]

be careful how you load the trailer,don't overload it or have the weight to far back.
be very careful with the cross winds especially across Wyoming

[Bob_C]

Short cut......I-84 into Idaho.....to I-86 to Pocatello.....south on I-15 to McCammon, south on state hwy 30 to I-8o in Wyoming.......