Boston to Seattle via US 20 and US 2

[Paolo99]

Aug 26 - Sep 10.

Mostly planned (is planning one of the best parts of roadtripping?).

But need a little advice on a couple of specifics.

Is Niagara Falls really all that? Or is it too touristy?

What's US20 like from Buffalo to Toledo? Is it worth - car hire permitting - heading into Canada to get to Detroit?

Mackinac Island - similar issue to Niagara Falls. Is it worth staying overnight? Or will we gag on the fudginess of it all?

Finally, even Jamie Jenson suggests that the drive across North Dakota is a little dull. Now, I'm a fan of Kansas but not a fan of Iowa (as driving states, you understand). How does ND compare?

Any fabulous, little known downtown hotels along the way that you might recommend? Already booked into the Grand Union in Fort Benton, MT and am trying to contact the Fort Peck Hotel, MT without much success.

Thanks in advance....P

[Midwest Michael]

I actually just got back to a trip over some of this country.

I would recommend Niagara Falls. The towns surrounding the falls are certainly touristy and overdeveloped - especially on the Canadian side. The Canadian side also known for providing the best views of both Horseshoe and the American Falls, however during this trip, I stopped on the New York Side for the first time. While the angles for viewing might now be quite as good, the areas immediately around the falls is a State Park and as such I liked the way things were set up there much more than my previous visits to Falls.

If you do head into Canada, and you are thinking of heading across US, I'd actually go up and over Lake Huron. The area between Niagara and Toronto has a lot of wineries and that sort of thing which could be worth checking out. Then, as you work up and around Georgian Bay there are many many great parks with things to see and explore.

Back into Michigan, I've never gone out to Mackinac Island because it has seemed too touristy and expensive for my tastes. However, I very much enjoy traveling in the UP, and would really recommend checking out Pictured Rocks as well as the Apostle Islands in Wisconsin.

As far as the plains go, I've always liked the drive across ND, but then again, I like the drive across Iowa more than the one across Kansas - what about each of those states do you like?

[Gerald Thurman]

Like you, I enjoy driving through Kansas. I've done US Highway 2 from Malta MT to Rugby ND and I wished I could have done more. If you opt for to stay north, then be sure to visit the Culbertson (MT) Museum and get your picture taken at the geographical center of North America in Rugby (ND). We enjoyed the Fort Buford Historic Site located in ND along the ND/MT border.

[Paolo99]

I actually just got back to a trip over some of this country.

Back into Michigan, I've never gone out to Mackinac Island because it has seemed too touristy and expensive for my tastes. However, I very much enjoy traveling in the UP, and would really recommend checking out Pictured Rocks as well as the Apostle Islands in Wisconsin.

As far as the plains go, I've always liked the drive across ND, but then again, I like the drive across Iowa more than the one across Kansas - what about each of those states do you like?

I like Kansas because it's so flat. Iowa reminds me a little of driving through England - rolling countryside is fine but we've got our own thanks! That said, I imagine ND is pretty desolate and I'm a big fan of desolate.

I may well give Mackinac a miss, if my wife allows me. Thanks for the advice on Niagara - much appreciated. Does it add much time to the experience to cross into Canada?

[Paolo99]

Like you, I enjoy driving through Kansas. I've done US Highway 2 from Malta MT to Rugby ND and I wished I could have done more. If you opt for to stay north, then be sure to visit the Culbertson (MT) Museum and get your picture taken at the geographical center of North America in Rugby (ND). We enjoyed the Fort Buford Historic Site located in ND along the ND/MT border.

That's great, Gerald, thanks. Really looking forward to it now.

[Paolo99]

Hello all. Long time no post. We did embark on this US 2 cross-country trip in September 2010 but only made it as far as Grand Junction in ND before my girlfriend suffered a serious head injury (she fainted and smashed her head on the road).

We were turned away by two hospitals before a third in Kalispell, MT, took her in. They estimated she had 24 hours left to live unless she was treated straight away. They saved her. She stayed there for 8 weeks before we finally flew back home to the UK.

Donna's road to recovery was long and the next autumn, instead of the US, we tried a roadtrip around Scandinavia, which was lovely.

Long story short, as a result of the roadtrip we moved to northern Sweden in 2012, had twins (our first and only kids) in 2013 and are now settled in the north.

We've already told the twins that they we'll take them on a US50 roadtrip when they hit their teens. I'll be back then for advice, I imagine.

[Midwest Michael]

Wow! Welcome back and thanks for sharing your story. I'm a little confused about how you were turned away by 2 hospitals - despite all the issues with access to health care in the US, hospitals in the US can't refuse to accept patients in need of emergency care. Regardless, we're thankful that she recovered and pleased that your accident hasn't kept you from continuing to enjoy the road, wherever that road may be.

[Paolo99]

Hi Michael. Not so much turned away as misdiagnosed. One thought she was inebriated (!) and wouldn't treat her and the other thought she was dehydrated, put her on a drip and then sent us on our way. Thanks for your kind words.

[Southwest Dave]

That must have been awful for you, I'm so glad it all worked out in the end and that now you will have chance to share a US roadtrip with your Kids in the future.

Dave.

[Midwest Michael]

Not so much turned away as misdiagnosed.

That makes more sense, as horrific and inexcusable as it is, and it certainly would be even worse being in such a rural area with limited medical option.