I Noticed A Few Years Back... (Minneapolis, Duluth: live, land, golf)

[formeromaharesident]

I noticed that there's no freeway that goes from Minneapolis to St. Louis. Perhaps there should be? It could be Interstate 51. Yes, it would violate the numbering rules since it would be west of I-39 and I-43.

The route could follow US 61 from St. Louis to Keokuk, IA (right on the Mississippi river), then US 281 from there. In Iowa, I-51 could serve Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and Waterloo. Then follow US 63 to Rochester, MN, then US 52 up to Minneapolis.

Just a thought.

[golfgal]

No, there is no direct freeway but if you take 35 to Mason City take 27 to 61 to 70 it is 4 lane highways all the way. Taking 52 to 63 to 27 to 61 is mostly 4 lane highways and about 30 minutes faster then going town 35. We have driven the route many times and the roads are in good shape and not an issue.

[audadvnc]

When going via superhighways, I usually take 94/90 to Rockford IL, then south to Bloomington on 39, over to St Louis on 55.

Or I take the scenic route, south 52 to Rochester MN, thru Waterloo, Iowa City, Hannibal, to StL. Essentially the same way you described.

[formeromaharesident]

Originally Posted by golfgal

No, there is no direct freeway but if you take 35 to Mason City take 27 to 61 to 70 it is 4 lane highways all the way. Taking 52 to 63 to 27 to 61 is mostly 4 lane highways and about 30 minutes faster then going town 35. We have driven the route many times and the roads are in good shape and not an issue.

I suppose it's better than nothing.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by formeromaharesident

I noticed that there's no freeway that goes from Minneapolis to St. Louis. Perhaps there should be? It could be Interstate 51. Yes, it would violate the numbering rules since it would be west of I-39 and I-43.

The route could follow US 61 from St. Louis to Keokuk, IA (right on the Mississippi river), then US 281 from there. In Iowa, I-51 could serve Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and Waterloo. Then follow US 63 to Rochester, MN, then US 52 up to Minneapolis.

Just a thought.

My parents took a route from the Twin Cities to St. Louis that I guess is supposed to be a scenic route of sorts. It's called the Avenue of the Saints:

Avenue of the Saints - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Route 61/27 Avenue of the Saints
High Priority Corridors @ AARoads: Avenue of the Saints (Corridor 2)

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

My parents took a route from the Twin Cities to St. Louis that I guess is supposed to be a scenic route of sorts. It's called the Avenue of the Saints:

Avenue of the Saints - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Route 61/27 Avenue of the Saints
High Priority Corridors @ AARoads: Avenue of the Saints (Corridor 2)

The route south of Cedar Rapids into Missouri is beautiful. There are a lot of valleys that are full of trees and if you hit it during peak fall colors they go for miles. North of Cedar Rapids to Southern MN is pretty flat and boring.

[fromupthere]

Originally Posted by golfgal

North of Cedar Rapids to Southern MN is pretty flat and boring.

This way of thinking always makes me feel sad that people can't appreciate the beauty in all of nature - flat or otherwise. I think even the flat parts of the country are beautiful!! (and I grew up in Duluth - at the top of the hill.)

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by fromupthere

This way of thinking always makes me feel sad that people can't appreciate the beauty in all of nature - flat or otherwise. I think even the flat parts of the country are beautiful!! (and I grew up in Duluth - at the top of the hill.)

Having lived in SW MN for 15+ years I can certainly appreciate the beauty of flat land but the reality is that from Cedar Rapids north to Southern MN is is literally corn field after corn field and flatter than flat. It is just too much of the same.

[BillWallace]

I don't know why but when I first read the topic I thought it said there was no highway from Minneapolis to St. Louis Park.

Never mind.