Late Night Roadtrip Boston to Chicago

[JMWriter]

New to Roadtrip America... looking for help!

I'm a writer, researching an overnight roadtrip from Boston to Chicago. (This is for a work of fiction.) I've driven this route during the day but never at night, and I'm looking for help with some memorable landmark someone might have seen at night or other special considerations for this route at night. The driver would prefer not to be seen (why she's driving at night) but is not on the run. So she can/will stay on I-80 and I-90 for the fastest trip possible.

Any help with rest stops, bridges, buildings, light features, etc., that someone would especially notice at night along this route would be most appreciated!

Thank you,
JM

[Lifemagician]

Hi JM and Welcome to the Great American roadtrip Forum.

Maybe someone will be along to answer your particular question. I have driven that route many times, but never at night, and very rarely on I-90.

There is a strong focus on RTA to encourage roadtrippers not to drive during the night,. There are safety concerns when folk take on a long distance drive at a time when they are normally asleep. Furthermore, there is a culture of avoiding as many tolls as possible. Hence there is a strong focus on routes other than the I-90. Routes which add very little in the way of time or miles. (But possibly not routes to be taken on at night.)

Lifey

[AZBuck]

To add to the points that Lifey made... I used to do quite a bit of nighttime RoadTripping when I was working the graveyard shift in a hospital Emergency Room and those were the hours when I would normally be awake - not to mention the low traffic volume. What I remember from those drives, which all took place in roughly the area of the country you're talking about, is how 'the same' every thing looked in the dark. There were no landmarks, nothing unique, nothing really even to tell you if you were in the mountains, on the plains, or along the coast. I would, from time to time on those drives, actually come to the end of a song on the radio and ask myself 'Where am I?' and not have a clue, but I always assumed that eventually there would be a sign for an exit that would let me know.

AZBuck

[Midwest Michael]

My reaction was very much the same as Buck's - making this drive at night would mean you would see a lot of nothing. Obviously, traveling at night means that's the case most of the time anyway, but nearly the entire route is tollways with even more limited access than a regular interstates. That really means that truck stops and tollway oasis/service plaza/rest areas would be just about it.

I suppose it should be noted that if you're trying to make your story accurate, you can't physically make the drive from Chicago to Boston in a night, and the 1,000 mile/18-20 hour drive can't be done safely without a stop for a full "night" of sleep.

[JMWriter]

That's really helpful, thank you so much! (And I know just what you mean having taken night trips, a great reminder, thank you!)

[JMWriter]

Those are very good points -- thank you. Yes, the story needs to be accurate. Part of the character's issue is that she really can't be out during the daylight (not easily anyway) so "a lot of nothing" is exactly what she would like to see! Thank you!

[JMWriter]

I totally appreciate the real life concerns; I understand. I really appreciate your clarification of the emphasis of the forums. Very helpful, thank you!