OT - Toronto to Chicago

[Canadave]

I have a curling bonspiel in Chicago in the middle of January...was wondering what's the best way to get there from Toronto. Mapquest says through Sarnia, but I think the Windsor border way would be better. Seems shorter and we wouldn't end up going around the lake in mid-January.

Any suggestions? If anyone has done the drive...how long did it take?

 

[OnMedic]

Run and grab the current DING! on Southwest. $34.00 each way. Probable cheaper then the gas to drive!

 

[pxlbarrel]

I've driven to Chicago and we drove through Sarnia.

I find the stretch between London and Windsor to be weary and awful. The 401 is just chewed up there. Blech.

It's also a very easy drive from Sarnia and the duty free is very easy to access. LOL Sarnia is about an hour or so from the 401 on the 402 so the duty free is a nice place to stop for a rest break.

If you need a place to stop and eat, make sure you pass Flint first or your choices are generally going to be fast food joints like McD's or Burger King. Once you get to the Lansing area, your choice of sit down restaurants improves.

It took us 9 hours. We stopped once for lunch. We ended up in a traffic jam in the south end of Chicago that prolonged our drive time.

 

[Canadave]

Thanks OnMedic...We have all ruled out flying (for various reasons).

pxlbarrel...what time of year did you travel there?...I'm still worried about travelling around the lake in Michigan in January ...we are planning on leaving around 4 or 5 in the afternoon and crashing somewhere once we get over the border.

 

[pxlbarrel]

Thanks OnMedic...We have all ruled out flying (for various reasons).

pxlbarrel...what time of year did you travel there?...I'm still worried about travelling around the lake in Michigan in January ...we are planning on leaving around 4 or 5 in the afternoon and crashing somewhere once we get over the border.

Hmmm...bad choice of words to use for resting, eh?

We drove in August so we didn't have to worry about weather. We took I69 and then I94 across. I think if you cross at Windsor, you still eventually end up on I94 and going around the lake.

I like crossing there mainly because I don't have to go through Detroit or navigate through their freeway system. I hate the traffic in Detroit. I also hate the stretch of 401 between Chatham and Windsor. That being said, you have to be careful of fog and snow on the 402 as well.

 

[Canadave]

lol...I guess 'crashing' wasn't the best word