Bypass Chicago traffic driving cross country?

[aragx6]

Dec. 1, 2007 was when Columbia MO got 17 inches of snow -- a 24-hour record, that is until last winter when they got 20 and they had to close the University for an unheard of 3 days. The point being, you never can know, but just hope for the best and be prepared for the possibility of delay.

[SonySegaTendo617]

Originally Posted by il_blguy87

You could also take 80 all the way down to i-39 north and from there take i-90. But you will probably end up driving more since you will go in circle.

If I were the OP, I'd just go with the 80 to 355 to 90 route, and time it to avoid peak travel times(though the traffic won't be as bad as Kennedy or Dan Ryan obviously). Taking I-80 to I-39, if you were trying to get to Madison, would just put you well out of your way. I-39 is better to use, if say you were starting in Rockford or Wisconsin, and trying to get south to say Bloomington-Normal, Springfield, Saint Louis, etc., or vice versa.

[dmacchiato]

I am overwhelmed here - fantastic help! I couldn't remember where I posted this & it wasn't until today that a msg showed up in my inbox saying I had responses, otherwise I would have replied earlier.
Looks like we'll be going very late Jan. - to Seattle, sorry I left that out. Looks like one key is to avoid the Chicago area during rush hour - makes sense & we'll try to do that. And we're waffling on the more n. or s. route, but I think we can look at 5 day weather predictions when we get closer to the date plus utilize the state DOT sites to make the decision about 80 vs. 90.
Pisgah, I appreciate your point, and btw, are you in NC?
Thank you all again - the links are great.
Any ideas on how to sneak a cat into a hotel along the way? It seems there aren't many that accept pets, and when they do, you may pay extra. It's just a cat! Or does anyone have helpful traveling tips to avoid the equation, car + cat = trouble? I'm sure we'll be begging the vet for tranquilizers.

[knitgirl]

Try taking the cat for some longer car rides before you try to drive cross country.

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by dmacchiato

I am overwhelmed here - fantastic help! I couldn't remember where I posted this & it wasn't until today that a msg showed up in my inbox saying I had responses, otherwise I would have replied earlier.
Looks like we'll be going very late Jan. - to Seattle, sorry I left that out. Looks like one key is to avoid the Chicago area during rush hour - makes sense & we'll try to do that. And we're waffling on the more n. or s. route, but I think we can look at 5 day weather predictions when we get closer to the date plus utilize the state DOT sites to make the decision about 80 vs. 90.
Pisgah, I appreciate your point, and btw, are you in NC?
Thank you all again - the links are great.
Any ideas on how to sneak a cat into a hotel along the way? It seems there aren't many that accept pets, and when they do, you may pay extra. It's just a cat! Or does anyone have helpful traveling tips to avoid the equation, car + cat = trouble? I'm sure we'll be begging the vet for tranquilizers.

I think cat urine is far stronger and the odor harder to remove than dog urine. And male cats have a tendency to mark, even indoors. You could find stops that correspond to pet hotels or places to board the cat over night. I know that's not optimal and I too would worry about stressing the cat out even more by doing this. But if it's your only option....

[Chicago76]

I'm late to this. If you're set on going through Madison across the northern plains to Seattle, then I agree that 294 around the city is the way to go. That said, if I were you I'd keep an alternate route in the back of your mind if the weather breaks bad up there:

Take 70 to Indy and make a break NW from either there or further west depending upon what the weather is like in the Northern Plains. This would keep you away from the snow belt in north central PA, and away from any lake effect stuff you might pick up around Lake Erie or NW Indiana...not to mention nasty stuff in part of the Dakotas and MN.

There aren't any guarantees it won't be bad going more southerly through Nebraska, but you'll know one way or the other a few days before your trip. It might tack on 8 hours if both routes were clear, but I'd take an extra 8 hrs over having to stay in a HS gym on a cot for 2 days while the roads were closed. I've done that by myself and it wasn't fun. Couldn't imagine what it would be like w/ a cat.

[dmacchiato]

We're re-thinking the whole thing now - between unpredictable weather, a cat who hates the car, & the cost of gas and lodging for 6 or more days, shipping our cars is looking like it may work better.
Does anyone happen to have any experience with auto shipping? Maybe I need to start a new thread?

[cubssoxfan]

Are you planning a trip back to NYC in the next few months? Here's why I ask. See if someone can watch the cat for a while. Drive the cars out and when the weather is warmer fly back and bring the cat back with you. Do they allow pets in the passenger compartment? If not check and see if they fly pets year round or only during warmer weather in the cargo hold.

[dmacchiato]

We do not have plans to return, and I don't think the plane trip would be THAT difficult - they do allow cats in a carrier, the pet becomes like your carry-on. Luckily he's hoarse so no one would hear him if he cries, but he pees sometimes when he travels...oh boy! We could even purchase a seat for him if we had to, because one way JetBlue fares aren't too bad for NY/Seattle. I see they make special absorbent pads for cat carriers...So it looks like we'll fly out with him and send the cars. thanks again -

[Chicago76]

Seems like a much more hassle free way to go. If I were you and doing this in the summer, I'd go for it. Jan-Feb just seems like a major pain though.