Chicago, IL to Sandpoint, ID in 2 weeks

Just found this forum today with lots of great info! I am flying out of Orange County in two weeks to pickup a truck from Ford in Detroit. Then, I will head over to Chicago to visit family. From there I am heading to Sandpoint, Idaho to spend time with friends for the fourth of July. I will be driving a 2011 Ford Super Duty F250.

After looking at maps and reading trip reports, I am still unsure of my route. I'd like to make it from Chicago to Idaho in 3 days. I am considering the I90 or I94. I've already been to Yellowstone so I'm not interested in that particularly. Badlands would be cool but I am mostly seeking the safer, quicker route because I've never done this before and will be driving an unknown vehicle. Its new though so don't for see any problems with it.

I've heard the more north I94 offers much more fuel stops? True? Which has better lodging? I don't plan on staying at the Four Seasons the whole way but Holiday Inn Express or something like that would be good over a trashy dump motel.

Any thoughts on the I90 versus I94 would be a huge help and thank you!

Jordan

Welcome!

There are pros and cons to both. I-94 is about 1/2 hour faster according to my mapping software, but that doesn't account for possible delays getting through the Twin Cities in MN.

Either way, 3 days is possible, but it will be 3 pretty long days - 600 miles, which would be somewhere between 10 and 12 hours, depending on how fast you want to drive that brand new truck and how many stops you make.

If you take I-94, my software breaks up the overnights to Fergus Falls MN and Custer MT. However, from a practical standpoint, you would want to make that Fargo ND and Billings MT, both of which have a wide selection of hotels to choose from.

If you take I-90, your first overnight would be Sioux Falls SD (large selection), the second would be Billings.

You won't have any problem finding fuel either way - and as a matter of fact, I-94 is less traveled than I-90.

Which would I choose? I think in this case, it would depend on the river flooding status at the time.

If your new truck is a diesel, make sure you start the trip off with a full DEF tank. The most economical way to do this would be to find a truck stop that has a bulk dispenser, it's a lot cheaper than buying gallon jugs.

GLC,

Thank you and we both are thinking alike. I was thinking about making Fargo and Billings my two stops. I really would like to get to Idaho on Saturday July 2. I am leaving Elgin, IL on June 30th. I could push it to four days but that also means more hotel fees. If I am worn out I will for sure stop and rest and not stretch myself. It will be 3-4 long days behind the wheel.

So you think going through ND or SD is about the same but SD is more traveled via I90? What are your thoughts on people saying they hate the SD drive and they see many long stretches with no fuel stops? Just a myth?

Where can I pay attn to river issues I assume you mean the Miss? Are there highways closed right now?

This is actually my first diesel truck. I am going to need to do a little searching on DEF tanks.

You will have very long legs in that diesel - the reports I'm seeing say that the new 6.7 engine gets at least 20 mpg on the highway. Finding fuel is a very minor concern. It's 340 miles from Sioux City to Rapid City and you will easily make that on a single tank - but I'm betting that there are plenty of truck stops in between - and regular gas stations that have diesel. You will have either a 26 gallon or a 37.5 gallon fuel tank, depending on configuration.

Yes, there are some closed highways due to both the Missouri and Mississippi flooding. Here is a site that has links to each state's DOT site for current road conditions.

DEF = Diesel Exhaust Fluid = urea. Your new truck has it for emission control, it periodically injects fluid into the exhaust to keep the diesel particulate filter and catalysts purged. It has a 5 gallon tank, the filler is right next to the fuel filler. A full tank supposedly will last you between oil changes so you should definitely be able to make the whole trip on a fill. The onboard computer will tell you a miles to empty estimate - and when it does go empty, it will only let the engine idle. Some truck stops have a DEF pump on the truck islands, and buying it that way it's about $3 a gallon. If you have to go into the store and buy it in gallon jugs, it costs considerably more.

I just looked at the Pilot/Flying J locator, and the Pilot at I-94 exit 167 in Dexter MI has bulk DEF at $2.59 a gallon. If your truck is not delivered with a full DEF tank, I'd stop there and fill it up. That's just west of Ann Arbor.

When your trip is done, please post back and tell me what kind of fuel mileage you got - I'm quite curious.

I drive a F-150, and I have no problem knocking out three 600 mile days in a row just to get from point A to point B. I get up early and try to be on the road no later than 8am, and I generally get off the road around dinnertime. I check into a hotel, go get dinner, go back to the room, and kick back for a while and get a good 8 hours of sleep. I avoid driving after dark or before dawn. Leaving from Elgin, you won't have Chicago morning rush hour issues, you will be going the opposite direction.

Appreciate all your help. I just did some more research as well on DEF. I'm making notes of all the info and will check the links. I plan on doing a full trip report with photos when I'm done. Thanks again!

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Originally Posted by Lostmanifesto

What are your thoughts on people saying they hate the SD drive and they see many long stretches ...

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Yes, you will hear that... also about NE amd MT, but it all depends on what you see. For me, I see the hardworking folk making a living in remote areas. I see the tiny towns which service them. I think of the pioneers who would have gone there with great hopes but little support. I think of the early explorers who opened up that land. And I think of the native dwellers who lived there for thousands of years before European settlement. And then try to reconcile them all.

Others just see one long stretch of bitumen with a line down the centre.

So what do you see?

Maybe between now and then you might like to pick up a book or two which focuses on the history of these areas, so that you will be able to appreciate it more as you pass through.

Lifey

Hey Lifey.

The above post sums up exactly how I feel on a road trip, yet I have been unable to express/describe it in such a perfect way !

Dave.

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Originally Posted by Lifemagician

Yes, you will hear that... also about NE amd MT, but it all depends on what you see. For me, I see the hardworking folk making a living in remote areas. I see the tiny towns which service them. I think of the pioneers who would have gone there with great hopes but little support. I think of the early explorers who opened up that land. And I think of the native dwellers who lived there for thousands of years before European settlement. And then try to reconcile them all.

Others just see one long stretch of bitumen with a line down the centre.

So what do you see?

Maybe between now and then you might like to pick up a book or two which focuses on the history of these areas, so that you will be able to appreciate it more as you pass through.

Lifey

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You don't know me yet you're quick to judge and form opinions. I did not form an opinion on what I said about people saying they hate SD and the long stretches, did I? Nope. I merely asked someone else their opinion who had been through those areas. You should probably read what people write before jumping to conclusions. I was raised in the heartland and much of family still lives in very remote areas living off what our farms produce.

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You don't know me yet you're quick to judge and form opinions. I did not form an opinion on what I said about people saying they hate SD and the long stretches, did I? Nope. I merely asked someone else their opinion who had been through those areas. You should probably read what people write before jumping to conclusions.

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I don't see any judgements or opinions about you in Lifeys post, just a response to your question.

"What are your thoughts on people saying they hate the SD drive and they see many long stretches".

The response was pretty much along the lines of "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," no judgement or opinion, just sharing her thoughts. She actually asked "what do you see? " which doesn't sound judgemental to me. Please re-read the post carefully and you will see that it was not what you think. The suggestion of reading material was aimed to get more out of the trip for you, the same as we all research National parks etc, she wasn't to know you already had a knowledge of the workings/history of this area.

Misunderstandings can happen on forums or in the 'real world', but you have quickly jumped to your own opinion about someone who gives up a lot of her free time to help other members.

Ok, Let's move past this and keep things nice !

A couple of tips here for that new diesel:

If you're a new diesel owner, pick up a Fuel Advantage card upon your first visit to a Flying J/Pilot Travel Center. It gives you .02 off every gallon of fuel!

Before you embark on your trip, stop in at a good bookstore or at AAA and try to find a copy of "The Next Exit" or a similar book. This book, and its competitive sister books, give listings for what's at every exit off every interstate in the USA (with the exception of most belt loops). Fuel stations that carry diesel are marked as such, though I don't think DEF is marked at this time (or at least it wasn't in the 2010 The Next Exit). It's difficult to use these books when you are traveling by yourself, but you could carry it along and look at it when at a rest area. Restaurants, motels, and fuel stations are listed, plus places like grocery stores, Wal-Mart and Target, etc. We buy a new one every 2 or 3 years - we find it just as invaluable a resource as paper maps!


Donna

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Originally Posted by DonnaR57

A couple of tips here for that new diesel:

If you're a new diesel owner, pick up a Fuel Advantage card upon your first visit to a Flying J/Pilot Travel Center. It gives you .02 off every gallon of fuel!

Before you embark on your trip, stop in at a good bookstore or at AAA and try to find a copy of "The Next Exit" or a similar book. This book, and its competitive sister books, give listings for what's at every exit off every interstate in the USA (with the exception of most belt loops). Fuel stations that carry diesel are marked as such, though I don't think DEF is marked at this time (or at least it wasn't in the 2010 The Next Exit). It's difficult to use these books when you are traveling by yourself, but you could carry it along and look at it when at a rest area. Restaurants, motels, and fuel stations are listed, plus places like grocery stores, Wal-Mart and Target, etc. We buy a new one every 2 or 3 years - we find it just as invaluable a resource as paper maps!


Donna

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Thank you Donna! I have AAA and will grab a copy.

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Originally Posted by Southwest Dave

I don't see any judgements or opinions about you in Lifeys post, just a response to your question.

"What are your thoughts on people saying they hate the SD drive and they see many long stretches".

The response was pretty much along the lines of "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," no judgement or opinion, just sharing her thoughts. She actually asked "what do you see? " which doesn't sound judgemental to me. Please re-read the post carefully and you will see that it was not what you think. The suggestion of reading material was aimed to get more out of the trip for you, the same as we all research National parks etc, she wasn't to know you already had a knowledge of the workings/history of this area.

Misunderstandings can happen on forums or in the 'real world', but you have quickly jumped to your own opinion about someone who gives up a lot of her free time to help other members.

Ok, Let's move past this and keep things nice !

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All I want is nice :) moving fwd

Well my friends looks like my trip may have made and big change due to some family problems and I may head to salt lake city from Chicago. Any tips on this new route? I was looking at the 80 pretty much the entire way. What I am wondering is when the 80 hits Colorado would it be better to take the 76 down through Denver and then the 70 through Utah into the 15 north or stay on the 80 through Wyoming to SLC? Thoughts?

On the side of the I-80/I-70/I-15/I-80 thought: Just west of Denver you climb into the mountains (a nice test for your diesel's climbing ability), and will go through Vail, Aspen, Glenwood Canyon and into Glenwood Springs. My husband and I love this part of that highway! Then we also love the section of I-70 in Utah between Green River and Salina. There is no fuel for 108 miles in that section, but there's diesel in both of those towns. We particularly like that section eastbound in the early morning hours, but we'll take it at any time! Then jumping up to I-80 at Salt Lake City - I personally haven't done that in years, but hubby used to love that road as a long-haul trucker. The section between Reno and Sacramento is one I've been on and just loved.

Diesel stations that we've used: we usually find a truck stop near Denver when we were towing, then went through to Fruita CO. Exit 26 has a Conoco with diesel. It has an A&W (I think) but next door there's a place called Otto's that does a great breakfast. Then we'd go all the way into Richfield UT on a tank. There's a Flying J there at Exit 40 as well as another station (Shell??) with diesel.


Donna

If you need to get to SLC quickly, take I-80 all the way. Out of Elgin, take Randall Rd south, and south of Batavia, turn right on Orchard Rd to I-88. Take that to I-80. You will have a 50 cent exact change toll to get on, then two $1.90 cash tolls on I-88. This will be a 2.5 day drive, suggested overnights are York NE and Rawlins WY.

If you want to see some scenery, you have a few options. You can take I-76 off I-80 toward Denver and pick up I-70. In Utah you can take US-191 and US-6 to SLC or stay on I-70 to Salina, then US-50 to I-15. You would probably want to look at someplace between Vail and Glenwood Springs for the second overnight. Either way, no problem making SLC on the 3rd day.

Any other detours - such as going through Rocky Mountain National Park - would add a 4th day.

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Originally Posted by glc

If you need to get to SLC quickly, take I-80 all the way. Out of Elgin, take Randall Rd south, and south of Batavia, turn right on Orchard Rd to I-88. Take that to I-80. You will have a 50 cent exact change toll to get on, then two $1.90 cash tolls on I-88. This will be a 2.5 day drive, suggested overnights are York NE and Rawlins WY.

If you want to see some scenery, you have a few options. You can take I-76 off I-80 toward Denver and pick up I-70. In Utah you can take US-191 and US-6 to SLC or stay on I-70 to Salina, then US-50 to I-15. You would probably want to look at someplace between Vail and Glenwood Springs for the second overnight. Either way, no problem making SLC on the 3rd day.

Any other detours - such as going through Rocky Mountain National Park - would add a 4th day.

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GLC - all good advice. So many variables really. I may end up solo now my SLC partner may be passing now. So I will most likely take your route i80 to i76 through Denver to i70 and hit 191 to visit Moab for a night and shoot some pictures. Then back to the i70 to i15 and home. As of now im thinking of stopping in Lincoln and Denver and Moab and Vegas then home. I have friends in Denver I can see but not sure what to see coming through Iowa and Nebraska. Anything you suggest off the i80 through there you recommend stopping for not too far off the beaten path? Thanks again for all the help.

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Originally Posted by DonnaR57

On the side of the I-80/I-70/I-15/I-80 thought: Just west of Denver you climb into the mountains (a nice test for your diesel's climbing ability), and will go through Vail, Aspen, Glenwood Canyon and into Glenwood Springs. My husband and I love this part of that highway! Then we also love the section of I-70 in Utah between Green River and Salina. There is no fuel for 108 miles in that section, but there's diesel in both of those towns. We particularly like that section eastbound in the early morning hours, but we'll take it at any time! Then jumping up to I-80 at Salt Lake City - I personally haven't done that in years, but hubby used to love that road as a long-haul trucker. The section between Reno and Sacramento is one I've been on and just loved.

Diesel stations that we've used: we usually find a truck stop near Denver when we were towing, then went through to Fruita CO. Exit 26 has a Conoco with diesel. It has an A&W (I think) but next door there's a place called Otto's that does a great breakfast. Then we'd go all the way into Richfield UT on a tank. There's a Flying J there at Exit 40 as well as another station (Shell??) with diesel.


Donna

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Thanks again Donna my iPad is now loaded with your suggestions marked down.

You have your stops very reasonably planned. CHI-DEN is 2 days. DEN to Moab is 6 to 7 hours and Moab to LV is about 7 hours.

Make sure you take UT-128 into Moab instead of US-191. It's Exit 212 off I-70 - old US-6 to UT-128.

Sorry, but I can't personally recommend anything real close to I-80.

Now - something to consider if you want a spectacular scenic drive - leave Moab bright and early, get on I-70 and get off at UT-24, take that to Torrey via Hanksville and Capitol Reef. Then take UT-12 to Bryce Canyon and US-89, take that south to UT-14 and take that to Cedar City for the night. You may have time to take a quick trip through Capitol Reef or Bryce Canyon. I don't know where your final destination is, but it takes less than 3 hours to get from Cedar City to LV.

If anyone is curious how my road trip is going please check my journal! http://www.jordanmay.com/category/journal/

545 degrees at the Pikes Peak brake checkpoint? Yikes - mine were 82 last time I went down. Gotta love manual transmissions.

It doesn't look like you took 128 into Moab - too bad, unless you have driven it before.