NJ To Chicago trip in Winter

[imsally]

Hello All,

My husband and myself are planning to drive from New Jersey to Chicago, in fourth week of Feb 06, in 2 days.

We found the weather conditions and road map from the internet (mapquest and weather.com).

I still have some more queries for this forum.

Since this is our first long trip (about 820 miles), we would appreciate all expert's comments.

1) I found that the weather is becoming bad (it will snow in some places) in Ohio and Indiana during the weekends. I would like to know what precautions we should take, especially as first time travelers?

2) We are thinking to take a night stop somewhere in between (after about 400 miles) and complete the journey next day. Can you please suggest us any safe place/hotel?

3) How safe is this journey from NJ-Chicago, crossing 3/4 states? Has anybody have bad experience on this route? If anyone knows of any gas station/hotel that should be avoided, it would be great to know.


We have never driven so long in US before, and your opinion and tips will be very useful to us.

Thanks and Regards

[Midwest Michael]

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

1) I found that the weather is becoming bad (it will snow in some places) in Ohio and Indiana during the weekends. I would like to know what precautions we should take, especially as first time travelers?

First, I wouldn't put much stock into weather forecasts for a trip that's still a week or two away. Keep checking the weather, but any forecast thats more than 3-4 days out is generally pretty unreliable. You could see snow, you could see perfect conditions.

Having said that you should always be prepared for winter driving. Check out RTA's Winter Driving Tips for some ideas about what you should do before leaving and what you should bring with you

2) We are thinking to take a night stop somewhere in between (after about 400 miles) and complete the journey next day. Can you please suggest us any safe place/hotel?

I'd guess Cleveland will probably be pretty close to the half way point. Something in that area would probably suit you pretty well.

3) How safe is this journey from NJ-Chicago, crossing 3/4 states? Has anybody have bad experience on this route? If anyone knows of any gas station/hotel that should be avoided, it would be great to know.

Traveling in the U.S. is very safe, as long as you use some common sense. Keep your doors locked, Don't flash money around or do things that could make you a target, and if for some reason you're in a situation where you are concerned about your safety, then leave.

Millions of people travel the U.S. every day, and only a tiny fraction ever have any safety problems, as long as you use common sense, its unlikely you're trip would be any different.