I've made the trip from CT to Michigan several times, but always during the summer. During the summer, I've noted that I-80 through PA is not the most confidence inspiring interstate, and I-90 is quite the comfortable drive. However, I intend to make this drive mid December and again early January. Is there a better route than I-90 in terms of safety? That's my primary concern. I'll have my van on Blizzaks after Thanksgiving, and I'm assuming it'll be very difficult to pre-plan hotel bookings if a lake effect snowstorm shuts the road down for the day.
Going further south to I-76 through Allentown and Pittsburgh PA doesn't seem to add any significant time to the trip, so maybe even further south through Baltimore, to Columbus and then Lansing? At a bit of a loss.
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ive never done it but why not go thru canada?
I guess I could, never gone through though. I just googled it and my kids don't need passports, just birth certificates if that's right.
Been doing some more reading and there is no better route than I-90 unless I take a massive detour even farther south than Maryland. Been reading about pretty bad ice on the roads as far down as I-76 and I-70. Car is all prepped and a new pair of wheel/winter tire set will take me on the trip, short stuff in buffalo for the night so kids wont drive me insane, doesn't seem half bad unless a storm happens.
i guess the canada route doesn't fully avoid lake effect regions but maybe more of a break than the whole of lake erie's belt
Looks like its a no brainer then, significantly less risk just going through Canada.
I-80 is sketch even in the summer, really not a fan.
I already booked with free cancelations up to the 15th. Even with that, worst I ever paid was $280 for a room last minute last summer, and it wasn't the end of the world. I am very picky, but in the worst case yeah I'll just crash anywhere safe.
Thanks guys.
gas
Gas shouldn't be an issue unless you're driving a Hummer, lol.
I'm from Michigan, but my family's all in Western Massachusetts. We've been driving between Lansing and the Deerfield area since I was too young young to remember. It's only about three hours between the Blue Water Bridge and Niagara, and it doesn't even take a full tank.
I'd strongly recommend going through Canada, provided that you leave EARLY on the return. I've rarely had issues entering Canada through Michigan, or entering the U.S. at the Niagara Falls crossing (or whichever is farthest north--can't remember the name). But going back into Michigan can be an absolute b***h.
Also, kek, you live ~15-20 minutes from my parents' place.
Also, there's no significant advantage to one route over the other (aside from Canada + NYS Thruway being the fastest by a large margin). I-80 through Pennsylvania is pretty in parts, but there's more traffic and higher tolls--you also have to spend 2.5-3 hours in Ohio, which is flat and boring until you're on the PA border.
I-69 and the QEW are also boring AF, as is pretty much all of I-90 west of ~Utica. But the advantage ıs that there's barely any traffic between Rochester and Albany, and the tolls are very reasonable compared to the PA Turnpike.
If you insist on going through PA, get an EZ-Pass and you'll save like 50%.
>, as is pretty much all of I-90 west of ~Utica.
All of I-90 is boring except maybe a few somewhat OK views of the Mohawk river valley and Castleton-on-Hudson (where you shouldn't be taking your eyes off the road to take in views anyway). But it's a good well-maintained road and rarely congested.
I grew up in Michigan, which is a very flat state, and have always enjoyed moving into the more mountainous regions of Eastern New York. Plus, our destination was always Western Massachusetts, and seeing the hills was a sign that we only had a few more hours to go.
I will say that I-90 in Massachusetts is pretty fricking scenic--especially the section between the New York state border and Springfield.
>I will say that I-90 in Massachusetts is pretty fricking scenic--especially the section between the New York state border and Springfield.
That I'll grant, especially given those impressive digits. Berkshires area is really nice.
Guess I'm spoiled never having lived in the midwest.
>Guess I'm spoiled never having lived in the midwest.
It's a blessing, isn't it? I spent my entire life wanting to live somewhere else. Ended up abroad for several years, recently relocated back to the U.S.
I'm on the East Coast, but in Northern Virginia. So it's not what I'd call a big victory, kek.
If you can make it through Canada without having to stop for fuel in Canada and the border crossing doesn't take too long it would be worth it.
I-80 in PA is boring and very rural for the East, but it will steer you clear of the Snow Belt
>I'll have my van on Blizzaks after Thanksgiving, and I'm assuming it'll be very difficult to pre-plan hotel bookings if a lake effect snowstorm shuts the road down for the day.
Probably not so long as you don't have especially high standards. There should be cheap shitty hotels with capacity in the small towns all along that route. I got snowed in one year in Lee, MA. Road wasn't technically closed but a reckless semi going 60mph ran me off the road onto the shoulder so I decided to spend the night rather than wind up in a ditch or worse. Stayed in some shit red roof inn with no notice or anything.