Stopover between N. NJ and Chicago

[pete325]

I'm planning for a road trip from Northern NJ to Chicago which is just under 800 miles. I'm going to break it up into a 2-days drive with an overnight layover somewhere in between. I realize Cleveland is sort of in the middle but I would prefer to stay in some small town with great characters instead and is more along the way towards Chicago. I would appreciate if someone here can give me some ideas.

In addition, other the using Rt 80, are there any more picturesque back roads that I can explore? However, I do believe Rt. 80 is the most direct and shortest route between the two points.

TIA,
Pete

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

I admire your desire to try something different, I, too, came to a point having driven the turnpikes one too many times, where I wanted an alternative. The road I found that was relaxing, even bucolic, was US-30 which in many places is the old Lincoln Highway. In your case, you'd still use I-80 across northern Pennsylvania (a great road that doesn't have a time-efficient alternative) and then at Youngstown, continue straight onto I-76 rather than take the exit where I-80 joins the Ohio Turnpike. Continue on to I-71 south to Mansfield, OH and US-30. Mansfield might make a good overnight and in any event would allow you to change gears between your two days of driving. US-30 to Chicago from here is usually a four lane divided highway with portions such as bypasses around small cities being controlled access. The only sizeable city you'll have to deal with is Fort Wayne, and a bit around Chicago until you get back onto the freeway system. Anyway, have a look at that route and see if it doesn't meet your requirements.

AZBuck

[pete325]

Thanks AZBuck. I'll definitely look into the US30 and Mansfield in Ohio as the layover stop. Btw, how long is the US30 on this route?

Pete

[RoadDog]

The Lincoln is the oldest transcontinental highway in the US, dating to 1913, and you will get a lot of Americana using it.

However, it is quite congested once you get near Illinois.

If you want to stay along the northern route along Lake Erie, Port Clinton, is a good stop, and get some Tony Packo sausages in Toledo.