Boston to Chicago

[Susie's]

Hi I am new to the site and a Brit planning a road trip and in need of advice. We are going to US in June 2014 to surprise a friend for her 65 birthday, but want to add a holiday into the equation we have about 8-10 days to play with. We thought about flying into Boston and then to make our way to Chicago before 20 June 2014 we are planning to fly out on 12 June 2014 from London and back to London on 26th June but will be spending the latter part of the trip with friends near Chicago so help with a route and places to visit would be much appreciated .

Thank you

Sue

[Mark Sedenquist]

Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum. Sounds like a grand holiday. By the most direct route, it's about 1000 miles from Boston to Chicago and so it would require a minimum of two full days of travel (8-10 hours per day) to cover this distance. I wasn't sure from your introduction how many days you are planning to spend on the road trip. Also, what sorts of things most intrigue you? Shopping, fancy restaurants, scenic drives, hiking, boating, ballooning, etc.

Once we know know a bit more about your goals we can share some ideas. As a way of getting started -- you might want to look at some of they routes we've published in this area. The overview page is here.

Mark

[Lifemagician]

This is a trip I do several times, each time I visit the US, as I travel between Boston and St Paul MN. Check out some detailed maps, or an atlas such as the Rand McNally. You will see the routes which are marked scenic.

There are two which I have found particularly and scenic. US20 out of Boston, through Albany to the Fingers Lake area. Slow going, but ever so much history along the way. Close enough to I-90, if you want a break and hit the highway for a while. You'd be close enough to Niagara Falls to make a visit there. Highway 219 to Allegeny State Park and Allegheny National Forest and on to Route 6 west. Accross OH you could skirt the lake shore, or take the Interstate. Continue on the toll road in IN, or take route 20 through small town, America. Near Middlebury IN this will take you through Amish country.

A quicker way is to take I-84 and I-81, both a pleasant drive, to I-80. There are several detours off I-80, one which comes to mind is the Elk Scenic Drive in PA. It's a slow drive, but a lovely one, with lots of accommodation along the way. All of which appeared to be private accommodation, rather than hotel chains.

Lifey