Helpful Americans Please:)

[Westy]

Originally Posted by Hurrikane

Hi, I need a bit of travel advice.

Firstly, a story...

Myself and my soon to be wife Zoe are taking a 6-month honeymoon/break from it all starting early July, the bulk of which will involve driving around the USA and Canada in a $1k kinda vehicle (most likely an 80's Camaro or an Astro Van lol).

We have to split the trip into 2 legs, because the USA customs rules say you can't start a trip in the USA and stay more than 90 days at a time, but if you then fly to somewhere that's not Mexico, Canada, or anywhere bordering on the Caribbean (Jesus), you can then return and start another 90 days afresh. What the heck, we thought (or words to that effect)... we'll have a month in Peru to break it up.

I did think what, does it take 91 days to become a terrorist threat or something?

Sooo... the first leg is more than planned; We land in Salt Lake City, hooking up with Loki and YourMom for some shootin' can's offa fences, buy a car then head to San Francisco, up the coast to Vancouver, then Alaska, back to Calgary, through Montana and Wyoming, back to Salt Lake City... then Peru

When we come back though, picking up the car again, the route is this:

Salt Lake City-Chicago-Toronto-Boston-New York. (Yes, I do know the total trip is just over 10k miles... did I mention I just love to drive?)

It's the Salt Lake to Chicago bit we have issues with. Colorado's a given, but we could drive through Kansas-Missouri-Illinois, or Nebraska-Iowa-Wisconsin; and sorry for my ignorance, but none of those States have featured too heavily on any Holiday programs (on UK TV at least).

What we could do with is an American's opinion of what would be the most interesting driving route from Salt Lake to Chicago, and why. Not much to ask, I know, but what's the use of being a member of an international community if you can't ask your neighbours some tips

Thanks for any help,

Hurrikane

Did you watch the Top Gear episode where they do exactly (well sort of) what your trying to do. Just don't write 'manlove rules' in pink down the side of a white Dodge Ram and drive through Alabama. There ain't no revive terminals there. Hammond nearly got his head kicked in. Cameraman got a few rocks on him. I was pissing myself that episode. What great rules too. You can only survive on Roadkill. So he gets a farmer to crane a dead bull on coupe. hahah. that was so f$%&ng funny.

[Tamn]

Originally Posted by Lhava

happy travels, watch out for the rednecks

*peers out from behind his bomb shelter*
*grunts*

[thoreau]

Nebraska-Iowa is a very boring drive. Very, very boring.

[ZippO]

oooooh cool man! Sounds like you are going to have an awesome trip!

If you do end up getting up here to Alaska i can show you the sights and it shoudl be easy enough to find me as where i live is the exact end of the alaska highway. Just look me up when you are in the area! I am in Delta Junction btw which is on the way to Fairbanks

[boborod]

This proud redneck would like to dispel rumors of horror and danger in the great American Southeast. I'm from Atlanta, Georgia, home of Gone With the Wind, Coca-Cola, the world's largest aquarium, the Centennial Olympic Games, and the Atlanta Braves, Hawks, Falcons, and Thrashers. Now granted, a trip through Georgia in summer makes A/C an absolute necessity, but more beautiful country, nicer people you will not find in the USA.

Besides, if you're going to Florida from the Eastern US, you pretty much have to go through Georgia.

Oh, also home of the world's busiest airport.

Old joke. If you die and are on the way to hell, you have to change planes in Atlanta.

Gratz on your nups, good luck in the future.


Bobo

[Joser]

My trip might look something like this:


Click to enlarge

[dataspice]

Originally Posted by Sirhc

Ohhhh yeah another thing to keep an eye on is the weather reports. If you are driving through middle America during the summer there is a chance of running into big thunderstorms which can mean a lot of hail and on the rare chance you might get into a tornado situation.

Of the many times I have gone through Oklahoma, Texas, and Missouri I have ran into big storms and seen funnel clouds every time, luckily no true tornados but we did get held up in Amarillo Texas once because of Tornados in that area. My last trip from Boston I always ended the night watching the Weather Channel to make sure we were not driving into a big mess. It helped out until we hit Texas then there was no getting out of the way when a storm popped up.

I'm live in a state that borders Texas, Oklahoma, AND Missouri. Fortunately, most of the severe weather season will have ended by July. Springtime is the the busiest tornado weather.

I'll also go along with the recommendation that Route 66 is the more interesting choice. Here's a link with more information: http://www.national66.com/

Enjoy your visit!

Signed,

Kiddoe: From America where we all believe that if you let visitors stay longer than 90 consecutive days, the terrorists win.

[Centech]

Originally Posted by Hurrikane

What we could do with is an American's opinion of what would be the most interesting driving route from Salt Lake to Chicago

Drive to the airport in Salt Lake City.. Fly to O'hare.. Drive to downtown Chicago.

ED: Just noticed the topic of the post. Clearly I shouldnt have replied. lol

When you get to NYC look me up.

[Kay-T]

well since i never been any farther east than sevier utah i cant help you on your west-east part of your trip.

if your passing through portland oregon on your way north i can help subsidize you getting pissed at one of our local brewpubs, probably can help with free lodging if ya dont mind a couch or floor.
Also since my roomies are breaking up, they are gonna have to sell their jeep grand Cherokee for less than they owe on it.
It's not a V8 but it is american and has room for you 2 crash out in the back, i think it still has recent tags so you might not even have to get it formally registered.

[Pant]

Route 66 is the way to go.... until Illinois... then you need to take the Great River Road...

When you Cross form St. Louis Into Illinois at Alton, make sure you stop at Fast Eddies http://www.fasteddiesbonair.com/index.cfm

Cheap good Food.


Then head down 100 towards Grafton and check out a cool river town. Make Sure to stop at the White Pelican Art Gallery while you are there.


You will pass Elsah on the way, very cool town tucked into a crack in the bluffs http://www.elsah.org/ worth the 15 min it takes to drive through the town.

100 is the Great River Road and very very cool driving.

Maybe stay in Pere Marquette State Park... they have a lodge and camping.
http://www.greatriverroad.com/Pere/PereIndex.htm


You can take a free Ferry across the Illinois near the park also.... interesting if you have never done it before. There are a couple.. just don't take the one in Grafton, it won't link up with the north bound roads.

Keep going north on either side of the river... you will pass through lots of small towns and have good views of the river bottoms....you will get to Route 100/106

At this point you can stay on 106 to head east towards Springfield.... passing through some small towns on the way....

Call me when you hit 106 and I can arrange for some free lodging in the area....

Once you Hit Springfield, you will be back on the route 66 path and can take 55 all the way to Chicago.... 3-4 hours on the highway.

I am rambling.... pm me and I can give you some contact info....