Portland OR to New York City, first time roadtrip :)

[Midwest Michael]

I-80 to Gary IN. Then take I-65 south just a few miles to US-30, take that east to Fort Wayne IN. Use the marked bypass, which is I-69 north to I-469 back to US-30. Take I-71 north to I-76 east through Akron to Youngstown and get back on I-80 east to NYC. All these are Interstate quality highways except US-30 through IN, which is multilane divided with a few traffic lights and primarily a 60 mph speed limit.

No one likes paying tolls, but avoiding them also has a cost.

Getting off I-80 at Gary and taking that route to avoid tolls adds about 30 miles, but with the lower speed limits and stoplights, it's also going to add at least an hour to your drive.

To me, that's not worth it to save $25 in tolls ($20 with an EZPass).

I'd just take I-80 from Utah all the way to NYC.

[glc]

If you take the toll roads, replace Mansfield with Youngstown for the last overnight. Right after you get off the toll road to stay on I-80, there are a few hotels at the OH-46 Niles exit.

Indiana toll is $8.50 and Ohio toll is $17.00.

If you can tell us where in NYC you will be going, we can advise you the best way to get there from I-80.