Recommended Route from MA to Humboldt?

fourleos · Post by **fourleos** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 3:47 pm

Hi, We are taking our 1991 out to the BF factory to have the skylight window replaced with a solid cap. Kim suggested that as we get out past Chicago to take Highway 20, so we plan to do that. I am wondering if anyone has a recommendation for the eastern part of the trip. We are planning to try and make the trip in two days (no side trips this time), but we are still looking forward to our journey. Thank you, Reni

harrisgowing · Post by **harrisgowing** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 9:39 pm

That is a tough trip this time of year because the campgrounds shut down the middle of October. There is a decent casino campground near Joliet, IL that we have used this time of year. If you have more specific details on your route, we can maybe help more as we live in MI and travel in late fall and generally know what is open. Trailer Life is very helpful.

ewagman · Post by **ewagman** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 9:40 pm

Not the most obvious way, but I'd take 84 through Hartford to Scranton, cut down 81 to 80, then 71 down to Columbus, 70 through Indianapolis, up 74 then through Cedar Rapids, west on 20, then up 169. It's about 2+ hours and 120 miles more than the Buffalo, Cleveland, Chicago way, but you are less likely to deal with major city traffic if you time things well, and you will enjoy less costly tolls and gas taxes, and likely less overall traffic. Check construction though, that could be factor too. You would be driving 18 hour days, hopefully one person could drive a few hours, someone else sleep, and everyone alternate, pulling watches like sailing an offshore passage. Three drivers on board would be a nice luxury.

My son & I did the Columbus to Iowa City section last month driving from south central PA to Seattle, and that part of the trip went well. It was a long drive, we did it in 5 long, but not too hard days, even sightseeing in the Badlands and Yellowstone.

tomzleapin · Post by **tomzleapin** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 7:54 am

Most Walmart stores will allow you to park overnight. I've done this many times when on the road. The lots are always well lit and secure. There will be signs posted if parking is not allowed but check with the store to make sure.

Here's a link to a site listing parking status:
http://www.allstays.com/c/wal-mart-locations.htm

Also Cablela's and Cracker Barrel allow parking but I haven't done so.

shilohdad · Post by **shilohdad** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 9:33 am

I will second Ed Wagman's suggestion. When we drove out to pick up our Born Free, we took the more obvious northern route. Even in a sedan it was a b***h of a drive, especially in the Gary/Chicago area. The traffic was bad enough, but there was also a lot of construction.

Whenever we go to the midwest or great plains now, we use Ed's suggested route. As he said, longer by 2 or 3 hours, but much easier on the nerves!

Campgrounds may be hard to find, but there are some that stay open all year. A Trailer Life directory will help here.

Two days will be very ambitious. You may want to do it in 3 if you have the time to spare.

jlef123 · Post by **jlef123** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 6:52 pm

A few years ago we drove from Cleveland to Humboldt through Chicago via I90/I80 and US20. Yes, the traffic and construction through Chicago was a nuisance but with my wife's excellent navigating and Garmin we got through it without a problem. Seems to me that the 120 mile difference will mean at least 12+ gallons of gas which at todays prices will cost you about $45. This should make up for most if not all of the tolls. Looking at the maps it looks like the I90 route out of MA to Cleveland is more level than going through Columbus. Seems to me that it's a coin toss as to which route is better. We had the same modification done this summer that you are having done. We were very pleased with the appearance and have not had a leak in the CO area since. The amazing thing is it took less than one day. There technician is a magician.

fourleos · Post by **fourleos** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 5:29 am

Thank you all for your recommendations. I will be picking up maps at AAA and looking at your suggestions. Mapquest gave me the northern route, but when talking to Kim, it was clear that alternates are often the way to go when driving an RV. This is our first RV, except for a couple of weeks of rentals, so we have a learning curve ahead of us!
I will also check out the magazine and link for stops. I wish we had more time, but our date is 11/12 and the weather will be changing fast, plus work and school committments. I am glad to hear that the cab replacement worked out so well, I am sure we will be glad that we made the trip. The photos were great, a real motivator to get back out West asap! Thanks again, Reni

tomzleapin · Post by **tomzleapin** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 6:51 am

If you have a notebook computer, mapping software is a great asset. I use Microsoft Streets & Trips which you can buy for about $35. For an additional $30 you can get the version with a GPS locator that will track your present location.

jeffcarp · Post by **jeffcarp** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 9:30 pm

There are no campgrounds in Iowa that I am aware of that close in the middle of October. All that I am aware of are open until at least the end of October if not November 15.

There are 4 rest stops along the Ohio Turnpike that have electrical RV hookups for about $15 - $20. They are well done, for a parking lot and the rest stops are clean and well furnished. The Ohio Turnpike website spells out which of the 4 have hookups. Of course you can dry camp in any of them, not just those 4.

Into Indiana, if you can dry camp for one night, look into spending the night in the parking lot of the RV Hall of Fame right on the interstate. I'd also bet that in the Elkhart area some campgrounds would be open all year given that is the RV capital of the US.

A good stopping point west of Chicago is called Hickory Hollow Campground in Utica, IL. Not well advertised but very nice. Not sure if they are open all year or not.

In Iowa you can spend the night in any rest stop. But there are many truck stops along I-80 that might be a better choice. Most Iowa rest stops also have dump stations. You'll find one of the brands Pilot, Flying J and Love's about every 45 minutes along I-80 between Davenport and Des Moines.

Horton · Post by **Horton** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 6:55 pm

We have installed Allstays Camp and RV on our iPad and love it! It will list parks, WalMarts, dumps, truck stops, propane, etc.
Also, we use Waze for 'real time' navigation as it will list accidents, cars on shoulder, police, etc. It has saved us a bundle of time in big cities and even on the interstate.

fourleos · Post by **fourleos** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 11:32 am

Thank you for the great recommendations! I really appreciate this groups willingness to share advice and experiences. I know it will not be a leisurely drive, so every bit of planning that we can do ahead helps a lot and your suggestions are key to that planning. Thanks again! Reni

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Recommended Route from MA to Humboldt?

Recommended Route from MA to Humboldt?

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