Driving from Lafayette, IN to Minneapolis and I want to avoid Chicago and interstates. (land, cities)

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by popcorn247

Thanks....I would not want to go on I-74.....it is an interstate. Looking for an interesting, scenic route (if this is possible). Speed is not the issue....I want to enjoy the journey, not rush to the destination. I want to avoid interstates the entire trip to Minneapolis.

I-74 goes through farmland in IL, also through Champaign. It's not bad.

[popcorn247]

Originally Posted by jasperhobbs

Head south to Texas and then head west through New Mexico and then head north all the way to North Dakota, then head east and you run smack, dab into Minneapolis. You will certainly avoid Chicago and lot of backroads you can take so you won't be on an interstate.

Hey Jasper, I once went on a road trip from south of Miami to Red Lodge, Montana. We drove the southern route, through Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. We drove on just a few interstates. It was a wonderful trip!

I know that you are joking, or not, but I am an older gal who feels 'pushed' by all the 18 wheelers on interstates. I would rather see some towns, stop in little diners and see America than travel on truck packed fast moving interstates. (I know, interstates don't move.....).

Have you read 'Blue Highways' by William Least Heat Moon? Great book.

[jasperhobbs]

Originally Posted by popcorn247

Hey Jasper, I once went on a road trip from south of Miami to Red Lodge, Montana. We drove the southern route, through Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. We drove on just a few interstates. It was a wonderful trip!

I know that you are joking, or not, but I am an older gal who feels 'pushed' by all the 18 wheelers on interstates. I would rather see some towns, stop in little diners and see America than travel on truck packed fast moving interstates. (I know, interstates don't move.....).

Have you read 'Blue Highways' by William Least Heat Moon? Great book.

I am just messing with you. Seriously a good route is what someone suggested. Make your way to US 20 which goes to Galena, Illinois and then go through southwest Wisconsin or you can take highway 52 from Dubuque, Iowa which will take you right into Minneapolis. A lot of nice scenery and a pleasant drive.

[Curly Q. Bobalink]

Originally Posted by jasperhobbs

I am just messing with you. Seriously a good route is what someone suggested. Make your way to US 20 which goes to Galena, Illinois and then go through southwest Wisconsin or you can take highway 52 from Dubuque, Iowa which will take you right into Minneapolis. A lot of nice scenery and a pleasant drive.

Funny you would say that, I took 20 from the I-90 Marengo/Hampshire exit to Freeport last week. The trip between I90 at Hampshire and west of Rockford was sooo slow due to traffic, many stop lights, and I got to see beautiful downtown Rockford (reminded me of the south side of Chicago). 20 is a nice road once you get past the Chrysler plant, but east of there? Not again for me, you're driving through too many towns.

A lot of "Interstates" are more like two-lane roads when you get out in the country, I-74 and I-39 are two examples. Traveling on them is probably much safer than driving on slower roads due to the lack of cross-traffic. I don't blame the OP for wanting to not drive on 294 and I-90 south of Rockford, especially in bad weather, the heavy traffic can create a lot of white knuckles. There is currently construction on I-355, and they didn't do a good job managing the barrels and plowing, some lanes abruptly "end" where there would normally be an exit - saw more than one accident due to that last week. You are correct about driving up through the west side of Illinois and Wisconsin, some very pretty areas through there from glacial activity - I personally love the view of the Mississippi up around Lacrosse. South central WI around Monroe, New Glarus, etc. is also a pretty area, I would recommend a tour of the New Glarus brewery with a tasting of Moon Man afterward. The Minhaus? brewery in Monroe is also worth a tour and tasting or two.

[Katarina Witt]

I agree about I-74 and I have a lot of experience with it. People like to wax rhapsodic about these "alternative routes" but often it's "slow and go" on them.

[MSchemist80]

Here is the route of Tour of the Mississippi River Valley bike ride from Quad Cities to Dubuque. It is designed for bikes but it is all on roads and goes right through Galena, IL. You could follow it in your car. From there I guess you could just follow the Mississippi river northwest.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/1208743

[popcorn247]

Originally Posted by Katarina Witt

I agree about I-74 and I have a lot of experience with it. People like to wax rhapsodic about these "alternative routes" but often it's "slow and go" on them.

Is there a lot of truck traffic on that section of I-74?

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by popcorn247

Is there a lot of truck traffic on that section of I-74?

Not that I recall but it's been a long time since I lived there (Champaign). I remember driving back from my parents' home in Pittsburgh I was always glad to get to Indianapolis and get off I-70 and onto 74. I-70 is the main arterial.

[scimitar12]

Originally Posted by Count David

US-52 the entire way.

You go through Joliet, but don't hit much of Chicagoland otherwise.

What the Count said. 52 is a very scenic drive.

[smegmatite]

Originally Posted by popcorn247

Thanks....I would not want to go on I-74.....it is an interstate. Looking for an interesting, scenic route (if this is possible). Speed is not the issue....I want to enjoy the journey, not rush to the destination. I want to avoid interstates the entire trip to Minneapolis.

nothing scenic between those two cities to be honest, unless you think soybean and corn fields and flat land are scenic