NJ to Chicago and back in 10 days

[kaul]

I am planning a trip from Summit , NJ to Chicago on July 12th. I have booked 13th ,14th and 15th for local downtown Chicago. I am open thereafter. I have thought of making a trip to Pontiac,IL, to check on Route 66. On my way back,I want to stop 2 days in Detroit ,MI and Cleveland,OH.I hope to back by the next weekend., making it about 10 days round trip.
I need advice as to where we can break for the night on way to Chicago and what is the best route we should take in and out and is there and interesting place we can add to the trip.
Thanks,
Kaul

[Charlie H]

If you take I-80, you will pass right through the Cuyahoga Valley Nat'l Park which is the site of the old Ohio & Erie Canal.

Just north of I-80 Exit 31 in Indiana are Indiana Dunes Nat'l Lakeshore and Indiana Dunes State Park. Both are worth a stop if you've never seen the sand dunes of Lake Michigan's south and east shores.

[AZBuck]

Although it is true that old US Route 66 started in Chicago and headed out south to St Louis on its way to Los Angeles, it is also true that it was de-commissioned about 25 years ago after it had been completely replaced by I-55 (in the Chicago area), I-44 and I-40. The old right-of-way is still out there, even occasionally marked as 'Historic Route 66' of something similar, but it will take considerable research to find and follow it today. For some general resources on the Mother Road, check here, and for a short report on the Illinois portions check here.

The 'best' route between New Jersey and Cleveland depends on several things, not the least of which are where in New Jersey you're going to/coming from, and what sort of roads you're looking for - freeways, scenic byways, or seriously off the grid.

AZBuck

[glc]

From Summit, I'd probably base the route to Cleveland on the I-80 corridor rather than going south and taking the turnpikes. You would save considerably on tolls that way and I-80 through PA is quite scenic.

[kaul]

If you take I-80, you will pass right through the Cuyahoga Valley Nat'l Park which is the site of the old Ohio & Erie Canal.

Just north of I-80 Exit 31 in Indiana are Indiana Dunes Nat'l Lakeshore and Indiana Dunes State Park. Both are worth a stop if you've never seen the sand dunes of Lake Michigan's south and east shores.

Thanks for the info,I shall look at it .

[kaul]

Dear AZBucks,
I have gone through the links to the mother road and realized that there is only a museum , in the name of Route 66 out there in Pontiac. So I might leave that part.
I am traveling along the I-80 corridor , being close up there in Summit,NJ. I am also planning to visit Detroit area for 2 nights on the way back. I am traveling with my wife and 2 daughters and am considering a brief stopover at Cleveland,OH on my way back.
Can we club in a small detour on the way back?
As always, appreciate your advice.
Kaul

[kaul]

Can I do the Floyd Water House in PA on this trip.

[Mayelli]

The house (which is called Fallingwater) isn't along 80 if that's where you're planning to drive. However, PA isn't that big, so if you have some extra time you certainly could go there.

[AZBuck]

I believe that you're referring to the Frank Lloyd Wright designed home, Fallingwater, which is southeast of Pittsburgh near the PA/WV/MD common point and thus well off your route. The same is true of the few other Wright designed home in Pennsylvania which are either near there or outside Philadelphia. A couple of places that you might want to consider adding to your trip are the Drake Well Museum in Titusville PA for a bit of history or the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania (Pine Creek Gorge). If you're looking for an alternative to traveling Route 66, try US-6 across northern Pennsylvania instead.

AZBuck

[Charlie H]

Although it would be roughly 60 miles further than the I-80 Route across Pennsylvania, I would second AZBuck's suggestion of taking US 6 across northern Pennsylvania - it's a great drive.

If you should decide on this, try to hit Wellsboro. PA about noon for two reasons. There's a great little restaurant in Wellsboro called the Wellsboro Diner. It's a 1930's vintage manufactured diner made entirely of porcelain. It's not only interesting but has great food. Secondly, just west of Wellsboro is the Grand Canyon Of Pennsylvania and if you're going to be taking some pictures, it is best to be there when the sun is high in the sky. Later or earlier, one side of the canyon will be in shadows. Further west, the Kinzua Bridge is an interesting stop even though the bridge was taken down by a tornado in 2003.