I-70 vs I-80/I-90 across Ohio and Indiana (Columbus, Cleveland: construction, calculated)

[Danny K]

I will be driving from philadelphia to chicago this summer, and I want to know the best route here.

Here are my options:

Option 1: I-76 W < I-70 W < I-65 N < I-90 W < Chicago

Option 2: I-476 N < I-80 W < I-80/I-90 W < I-90 W < Chicago

I know both routes will have some tolls, option 1 for the PA Turnpike, and Option 2 has tolls on I-80/I-90 through ohio and indiana and I-476. I have calculated the tolls, and they all equal about the same. I want to know which route should I take?

I am looking for less traffic route, and a route that has a lot of rest stops and restaurants on the way, because I usually need to stop for at least a snack every 2 hours.

What are your thoughts? I thought the ohio forum would be the best to post this on.

[wrightflyer]

The southern route. That northern route's I-80 stretch through northern PA is bare. The toll service plazas on the PA Turnpike are nice (though still in remodel at some). There are more cities spaced out along the southern route too.

Also, all rural interstates in Ohio are now 70mph. You should only hit snags going into and out of Columbus (where it will be 70 -> 65 -> 55 -> 65 -> 70) and Dayton from OH-235 to Brookville (70 -> 65 -> 70). Keep in mind that construction zones in Ohio are always at the posted speed limit. Indiana at least allows regular speeds unless the work lights are flashing. Also, many, many more unmarked state patrol cars in Indiana. Watch out for those too.

[TheYO]

I'd suggest combining the two routes. Take 76 all the way through PA and into Ohio. Then get on 80 near Youngstown and take that to 90 into Chicago. You'll pay more in tolls, but it's the fastest route as you'd avoid any traffic near Columbus. I've driven from Columbus to Chicago using 70, 65 & 90 and from Youngstown to Chicago using 80 & 90. The northern route is definitely better. But 80 in PA is bare, so just stick to the Turnpike there.

If you don't have an EZ Pass, get one now. You'll save a ton this trip alone.

[wrightflyer]

Curious, is Ohio as far east as the EZ Pass system goes? I know Indiana and Illinois have separate state toll transponders, but wasn't sure if EZ Pass works on them as well.

Here we go. Not sure how current this map is. http://www.ezpassde.com/where_use_ezpass.shtml

[TheYO]

I've used my Pennsylvania EZ Pass on the Indiana turnpike, as well as the Chicago Skyway without any problems. I think Indiana's is called I-Pass and Illinois I-Zoom (or the other way around), but they are all interconnected and accept EZ Pass.

[Danny K]

Originally Posted by TheYO

I'd suggest combining the two routes. Take 76 all the way through PA and into Ohio. Then get on 80 near Youngstown and take that to 90 into Chicago. You'll pay more in tolls, but it's the fastest route as you'd avoid any traffic near Columbus. I've driven from Columbus to Chicago using 70, 65 & 90 and from Youngstown to Chicago using 80 & 90. The northern route is definitely better. But 80 in PA is bare, so just stick to the Turnpike there.

If you don't have an EZ Pass, get one now. You'll save a ton this trip alone.

Thanks, but to be honest that would kill me. There is a reason why I left that option out and that reason is because I will be paying around $55 in tolls. I have driven I-80 across PA many times and it does have a lack of rest stops and restaurants, but its ok though. So is the northern route better?

[TheYO]

Originally Posted by Danny K

Thanks, but to be honest that would kill me. There is a reason why I left that option out and that reason is because I will be paying around $55 in tolls. I have driven I-80 across PA many times and it does have a lack of rest stops and restaurants, but its ok though. So is the northern route better?

Then I'd definitely pick the northern route. It's far enough away from Cleveland that you won't hit any traffic passing through NE Ohio. The southern route runs right through Columbus and Indianapolis, so you could run into some traffic delays there. Plus, driving through Indiana is so boring and the entire state is basically a speed trap, so the faster you can get through that state the better.

There's a good amount of rest stops on the Ohio Turnpike. Most, if not all of them, have been renovated in the past couple years, so they are nice (well as nice as turnpike rest stops can be). The Indiana Turnpike has a few rest stops as well, but they are older and don't offer as much as Ohio ones. I don't remember much in terms of amenities on 65 in Indiana

[Meemur]

Check the construction before you go and then decide.

Ohio Construction:

http://www.pavingtheway.org/

A lot of Ohio areas rec'd grant money, and it seems like half the state's freeways are torn up.

[ram2]

Originally Posted by TheYO

Plus, driving through Indiana is so boring and the entire state is basically a speed trap, so the faster you can get through that state the better.

Ohio is the speed trap state.

[maxmodder]

Originally Posted by ram2

Ohio is the speed trap state.

The whole Midwest is.