I think after leaving Chicago you could go to Detroit, swing over to Ford HQ for a couple photos, then enter Canada and spend some time in Toronto. Huge and wonderful city but lots to see and do. You could then go through Niagara Falls area back into the US.
Cinncinati has become a very nice city from what I remembered. Get some Graeters icecream, jack in the box, some fascinating parks.
Air Force Museum x2 very nice.
If your route is going to take you through northern Indiana after leaving Chicago, then the Aubrun/Cord/Duesenberg museum is worth a stop.
If you end up making the trip in early May, and you want to stop by Indianapolis they'll have the Indycars on track for the Indy Grand Prix road race (which includes a bunch of smaller series too) as well as practice on the oval for the Indy 500. IMS in May should be a bucket list item for any gearhead. There's a museum, and the Dallara factory is across the street and does a pretty cool tour fom what I hear.
If you find yourself driving I-70 through Columbia, MO there are a bunch of good restaurants for a town of ~120,000 people. If you want any recommendations, I can make a list.
Auburn, Cord, Duesenburg Museum in Auburn, IN (30 minutes south of I-80/90 on I-69) is worth a couple of hours. Lots of beautiful 1930's luxury automobiles.
If you've got even more time, visit the National Automotive & Truck Museum that is literally right behind the ACD museum. Among other intereting things it has a restored GM Futureliner.
There are 5? other automotive museums in the same town that you can go see too if you hang out a while. (WWII Victory Museum, Monster Truck Hall of Fame, etc...) But the ACD is definitely my favorite. It's built in the original factory and sales floor.
So much great info here, thank you! Bumping this back up just in case anyone else wants to chime in :). Booked my plane ticket this week; flying into Denver the evening of 4/19 & hitting the road from there.
Other developments… I reconnected with an old friend on Facebook, who just happens to live 10 mins from Pikes Peak these days! If the weather cooperates I’m considering spending my first night on her couch & driving up the mountain the following morning, before I head East.
The more I read the more I hear about how boring I70 in KS is. To avoid this I’m considering crossing KS on either US36 or US24 (or some combination) instead… any insight on these highways? In general I’m reading slightly slower speed limits, BUT with far less traffic & plenty of cool old towns for inevitable meal/bathroom/etc. breaks. Any other major pluses/minuses?
If I stick with Kansas City that will put me far enough south to drive the IL section of US66 as suggested, which seems worth doing. Who knows if/when I’ll be close enough to drive that road in the future? I do have another stop to make just west of Chicago to pick up some parts from a GRM’er, figure I can kill a little time there if I arrive at an inopportune time to try & enter the city.
After Chicago, I really liked the suggestion to visit Detroit, southern Ontario, Niagara falls, etc. I have a friend in Paris,ON I may be able to stay with… plus someone in Albany if I need/want to make an extra overnight stop & break up the final leg of the trip.
stuart in mn said:So tell us about the car and the engine swap.
It’s a ‘94 Escort Wagon with a bone stock Escort GT drivetrain (working cruise, a/c, etc.). That’s about all there is to it… it’s a GT Wagon like Ford could/should have built themselves! It’ll be my backup daily driver, and will possibly (probably) see Rallycross duty in the future.
I like Hwy 36 cross Kansas better than 70. You will enter MO farther north of KC, at St Joe. 36 across northern MO is about my favorite roadway. Full of rolling hills and gentle curves.
I am biased as I am from northern MO.
Peel out of Denver on I76 turn right onto I80 and keep the hammer down until you hit Chicago. It's a horrendously boring but easy drive.
It's like peeling off a bandaid; get it over as fast as you can.
therieldeal said:
… plus someone in Albany if I need/want to make an extra overnight stop & break up the final leg of the trip.
Hulk (from our Chump team) is in Corning, if you need a couch near there let me know and I'll get you in touch with him if you're going near by.
As you say, 24/36 will be lighter traffic with small towns to slow down for.
I live less than 20 minutes from 24 just west of KC. Happy to host or point you toward good food in the area if you come this way.
pinchvalve said:After Chicago, head South to take pictures at the Brickyard and then on to Dayton and visit the Air Force Museum. Amazing and free. Then jump south off I-70 and find some nice back roads to enjoy. You could stretch your legs by hiking the gorge at Hocking Hills. Amazing and free. The bonus is that you miss Cleveland. With West Newton not so far out of the way now, you'll have time to stop at Ohiopyle and visit Fallingwater. Then it's pretty boring until...oh jeez 80 and 84? Snoozefest.
I will 2nd the Indianapolis Motor Speedway if you have not been there. Take the bus tour that drives you around our famed oval here in Indy. And the USAF Museum in Dayton. ....The AFM is outstanding!!!!
ThurdFerguson said:I like Hwy 36 cross Kansas better than 70. You will enter MO farther north of KC, at St Joe. 36 across northern MO is about my favorite roadway. Full of rolling hills and gentle curves.
I am biased as I am from northern MO.
36 is such a nice road, my grandmother lives in Chillicothe (I was born there) and that’s a really good drive with plenty to see.
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