My husband and I are wanting to drive( driving an SUV) from Ottawa, Ont, Canada to Tuscan, AZ the last week of January. We are in no hurry but have a vacation rental waiting for us for Feb. 1. It will be our first road trip in the US. Having looked at Mapquest I realize we could go across Canada and head down from Alberta, or head straight south following the Appalachians and then turn west or a third route has us following just south of the Lake Erie and Lake Ontario and then moving south-west. Considering the time of year ( snow and freezing ice) which route would be the best.