Seattle to Chicago after x-mas

[Kobus]

Hello All

My Wife and I are moving from Seattle WA to Evanston IL just after X-mas we are planning on driving a total of 4 days. is this doable? we will be driving a Saab, would snow and ground clearance be a problem?

If so where are good stops along the way? How long should we be planning on driving each day?

Thanks for your help

Kobus

[Midwest Michael]

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

If you are sticking to the interstates, ground clearance certainly shouldn't be a problem, although its certainly possible that you'd see snow. There really isn't anyway to avoid that possibility at this time of year.

Assuming good conditions, you shouldn't have any problem covering the distance in 4 days. I will involve 8-10 hours a day on the road. You've got a couple routing options, between I-94, I-90, and I-80. Take a look at the forecast just before you leave, and base your route on which option looks like it will have the clearest conditions.

[glc]

There are a few ways to go - all of which have the potential for rough winter driving conditions. I ran them all through my mapping program, and all are doable in 4 days. You would be looking at about 8 hours of constant driving at the speed limit each day, which will be 10+ hours counting fuel, food, and potty stops.

Route #1 - fastest (under good conditions):

I-90 to Billings MT, I-94 to Madison WI, I-90 to Chicago. 2050 miles, suggested overnights:

Butte, MT
Bismarck, ND
Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN

Route #2:

I-90 all the way. 2100 miles. Suggested overnight stops:

Butte, MT
Rapid City, SD
Albert Lea, MN

Route #3:

I-90 to I-82 to I-84 to I-80 to I-88. 2200 miles. Suggested overnights:

Mountain Home, ID
Rawlins, WY
Lincoln, NE

The best advice is check and monitor weather conditions carefully before making the choice. Anything farther south will not really help you, as the distance will be considerably greater.

If Snoqualmie Pass is having issues, you can choose route #3 but add 100 miles by taking I-5 south to Portland and picking up I-84 there.