1000 mile trip: Springfield, MA -> Chicago, IL: feasible?

[Wutputt]

During the second weekend of October I have to move my ass from Springfield, Massachusetts to Chicago. The obvious conservative way would be to book a flight and fly over. But why not make it interesting, rent a car and drive all the way up to Chicago? It isn't THAT far. So maybe it’s feasible to do this during a weekend. And it would be a good way to experience the American way of driving and enjoying the scenery.

The only thing is, I've never been to the US before. So I don't have any clue what kind of challenge I'm facing. That's why I need some help, so I can assess the different aspects of this crazy trip and can conclude if this is feasible for me to do.

First of all, would it be doable to drive those 1000 miles in 1,5 day?
What are the speed limits on the highways in the states I will cross?
And what point of perspective do the cops have regarding to foreigners speeding on the highways?
Does one have to pay toll on some highways?
What's the weather like in October in this area?
How about the scenery, is it any interesting?

And on a side note, I’ll prolly be in L.A. the last weekend of October. So when are these Crystal Cove meetings held? :D

[nthfinity]

1.
doable, but by yourself? hmm tougher. We make 2 day trips to Florida from Michigan which is 2000 miles... but that is with 2 people taking turns driving.
2. 70 mph on most highways... but its safe to drive the flow of traffic pretty much everywhere. the roads will all be marked thier various speed limits periodically.
3. bribes aren't a thing here. if you are pulled over, tell the cop that an American friend in law enforcement told you to keep your hands on the wheel while he walks up to you. cops like feeling safe, and if they see your hands, that means a lot.
4. some are, some arent.... all turnpikes are... it will be cleaerly visible
5. Nice, the leaves begin turning in october, and there are beer fests all over the nation in October (Oktober fests) bring a light coat, long pants as a general rule of thumb for October weather here.
6. I've not been to Massachussates; but the drive through the alpine/bluegrass mountains is quite nice.... hitting Michigan seems to be a possible route; if you choose to do that, let me know; and we'll get together :)

[sameerrao]

I have done a few 1000 mile trips solo - it will take about 14-15 hours. But this basically means you spend all the time driving without really seeing anything on the way.

Keep about $20 max in small change $5 or small to take care of tolls. They dont take credit cards.

Breaking it up into 2 or 3 days will give adequate time to sightsee - Niagara is on the way. There must be some nice places up in Michigan a couple miles north of your route. I assume you would have seen New Hampshire or Vermont if you are in Springfield. If not these states are an absolute must visit during this period. Upstate NY is really beautiful in the fall season. October is a fantastic time to be in the NE US.

[nthfinity]

There must be some nice places up in Michigan a couple miles north of your route

LMAO

people from outside of michigan keep thinking its nothing but flat farmland

[graywolf624]

One thing to look into is the price of the rental car. Going one way with a rental car can sometimes cost quite a bit more.

[TNT]

yeah its possible but you better sleep very well. and don't push it. if you are tired pull over even a 30 min. nap. Plan your way smart not fast. make it were you will have some traffic and some twists. i will keep you up. video tape it for us. :mrgreen:

[nthfinity]

I hated driving from Chicago, IL to Dallas, TX. Its such a drag on the Oklahoma Turnpike, miles and miles of boring farmland and you get road hypnosis and all that junk. If your willing to make it a long trip by stopping to eat and rest and so on then I guess you should go for it. Also ILLINOIS roads are the worst ever and our speed limit is 65 even out on the open stretch roads.


east coast --> mid west has much less farm land ;) still highways can all hypnotise... but hell.... haven't we all done 1000 mile road trips? i've done only one so far.... but it was great, with some of the greatest roads i've ever been on.

[ae86_16v]

1. First of all, would it be doable to drive those 1000 miles in 1,5 day?
That's a lot of driving. You probably won't get to enjoy much of it at that rate.

2. What are the speed limits on the highways in the states I will cross?
Usually the flow of traffic, if not 70mph is safe

3. And what point of perspective do the cops have regarding to foreigners speeding on the highways?
Depends on if you are lucky or not.

4. Does one have to pay toll on some highways?
Again depends.

5. What's the weather like in October in this area?
Should be perfect fall weather in the Midwest

6. How about the scenery, is it any interesting?
Not sure haven't been there. But America is nice in general.


And on a side note, I’ll prolly be in L.A. the last weekend of October. So when are these Crystal Cove meetings held? Very Happy

Give me a buzz if you get down here. I will go with you.

[Wutputt]

Thanks for all your input guys. I'll carefully think everything through and I'll decide next week.

If there's a change in getting together with you during may stay in the US, I'll be glad to do so. It's always nice to meet each other IRL. This way we can see who's behind the avatar and get to know each other better.



how long are you going to be in the states for?? but def bring a jacket, dont need heavy clothing just yet.

Well, I'll be in the states for a business purposes during the whole month of October. First week will be in the neighbourhood of Springfield, MA. Second week will be in Chicago, third week in Houston, and the last week in California (Sacramento and LA). My weeks will be pretty well booked, but I do have spare time during the weekends :)

[Wutputt]

do you have mappoint?? if not I would say get the program, heck maybe I can get it up and you can dl it from my server. you will be able to plot the best route possible with tolls or without tolls, scenery route if you want.

No I don't. Is it really helpful, I'm always interested ;)




And on a side note, I’ll prolly be in L.A. the last weekend of October. So when are these Crystal Cove meetings held? Very Happy

Give me a buzz if you get down here. I will go with you.

I'll sure do that. At this moment I don't know exactly when I'll be there. But I'll let you know something.

[Zot09]

And on a side note, I’ll prolly be in L.A. the last weekend of October. So when are these Crystal Cove meetings held? :D

Every Saturday, from around 6AM to 9AM. Give me a ring(well, PM) if you're interested in meeting up! It is a good hour and a half drive from LA though.

[stmoritzer]

never been driving in this part of the US, Chicago fot sure is very nice.

My experiencies of US road is:
no stress, so you can drive for a long time (but IMO take time for some sightseeing).
follow the speed of the others and your're fine... or slightly above, there are no real overtaking manouvers like in Europe :wink:
as said before, if stopped by police, leave your hands on the steering wheel
Very often, they have "little villages" with restaurants, motels, shops along the highway - very convenient to stay overnight... basically you can cross the whole country staying on the highway, but that's not what you want :wink:


Anyway enjoy the trip and try to see as much as you can during WE

[TT]

Dude, like most european guys, I dream about a coast to coast in the states :D I'd say: do it and don't worry, it will be epic even if just 1000 miles :D
(never did it myself but you know I am right)

[farrbar]

So maybe it’s feasible to do this during a weekend. And it would be a good way to experience the American way of driving and enjoying the scenery.

:D

I have done the drive from Chicago to Boston in one day.... it was very long, but with a hotel stay in the middle it is very doable. If you want to see some interesting sights along the way, you may want to consider going the northern route and cross through into canada in Buffalo New York, and then cross back into the US in Detroit (not sure what customs issues you may have). Going this route is not much longer, and you could see Niagra falls and stop off at a car museum or plant in detroit (I might suggest the Connor Ave. Assembly plant, home of the dodge viper). If you are looking for a good stopping point for the overnight, I might suggest windsor (Ontario canada), it will make it so that you have less than 6 hours to drive on the final day. Also, it has casinos and clubs that can be great fun.

[Wutputt]

Thanks for all the advise! Next week I should have a better insight how my visit to the States will look like.



I'm not familiar with belgium, but drove in France and Spain this summer ... 100mph was a minimum (yay!) ... do not expect this over here! No auto radars (that I know of), but the cops are on the lookout, all the time! Speed limit is usually between 55 and 70mph.
Belgium is about the same as France, though no toll on highwats, roads are in worse condition, and the distance between highway exits is shorter in general. As a foreinger you can idd really floor it in light traffic, without worrying too much about being stopped for speeding.



And on a side note, I’ll prolly be in L.A. the last weekend of October. So when are these Crystal Cove meetings held? :D

Every Saturday, from around 6AM to 9AM. Give me a ring(well, PM) if you're interested in meeting up! It is a good hour and a half drive from LA though.

6 AM, :shock: , that's early :D But it's worth it by looking at all the pics I saw of these meetings.

[ZfrkS62]

1000 miles in 1.5 days? that's nothing :D

Watch it in the cities between 7 and 8 am, lunchtime, and around 5pm...these are rush hour times on the weekdays and will slow your trip down considerably.

Just make sure you don't pass a gas station when your gauge shows you're sub 1/4 tank.