Ladies and Gentlemen,


I will be driving to Chicago from Toronto (874 KMs, 9 hours) for the first time with infant + spouse. I am planning to leave around 7:00 PM (due to time scarcity) after finishing my job. I am thinking of taking break mid-way in motels for 4/5 hours. I don’t think so I will be able to drive continuously on working day considering my maiden road trip.

Please let me know any suggestion or place (motel) where I can stay with my family for 4/5 hour sleep.

Need your valuable suggestions

I drive to Chicago almost every year. In fact I was there earlier this month. This time I let around 7pm, and made a night halt after around 4 1/2 hrs.

I stayed at http://www.sleepinn.com/hotel-flint-michigan-MI706?ienc=UTF-8&optional=false&chain=A&brand_segment=&areaid=&areatype=Hotel&type=&latitude=42.99325&longitude=-83.740939&state=MI&country=US&js=true&radius=80&map=n&placename=MI706+-+Sleep+Inn+Airport%2C+MI%2C+US&arrivalDate=mm%2Fdd%2Fyy&dateFormat=mm%2Fdd%2Fyy&departureDate=mm%2Fdd%2Fyy&nroom=1&nadult1=1&nchild1=0&srp=RACK&find=" target="_blank">Sleep Inn . I generally pick a hotel that has breakfast included, so that way we can eat and get on the road. Ensure that you get enough sleep not just 4/5 hrs

I picked this hotel, 'cause it is close to Birch Run Outlet Mall, so I got some shopping done before I got to Chicago, and I can book it online, and being a CAA member, I get the discounted rate.


Few things to keep in mind:

Gas was cheap around the Sleep Inn that I stayed in. Generally gas is cheap in Indiana and Michigan (around the Indiana border). Gas is generally cheaper at stations which are a little away from the highway. Not all gas stations accept Canadian credit cards

As you get to Indiana, the speed drops to around 55 miles, but cars will be zooming at 70 miles and in between you'll have cop cars, so keep an eye. (You're doomed if you speed and your're doomed if you don't). Go with the flow. Don't slow down abruptly if you see a cop car, it's too late by then anyways, and it'll draw the cops attention immediately.

Chicago has toll highways. If you do not have a transponder, ensure that you have change (it just makes it easier). Some exits are automated, so you need either a transponder or exact cash to exit. When approaching a toll booth, keep to the far right. They generally have 2-3 cash booths, all the other lanes are open lane tolling, which means you keep driving at 60 miles. Cash toll rates are double of transponder toll rates.

If you have a transponder, don't use it on the Chicago Skyway. The Skyway comes in Indiana and they charge you a service charge to use the Illinois transponder.

I-294 has construction going on. The lanes are narrow and there are a lot of trucks. I was caught in the left most lane, driving at 60 miles and a trucker right besides me doing 62 miles with barely 3 inches between the 2 of us. My heart almost popped out at that point.

Get the Chicago City Pass, if you plan on visiting attractions. The cheapest will be to get it from CAA (online).

The route I generally take is 401 - 402 - Blue Water Bridge (Sarnia - Port Huron) - I69 - I94 - I90. Keep in mind that Hwy 402 (London to Sarnia) does not have any service centre. So if you need gas or restrooms services, you have to exit the highway. As soon as you cross into Michigan, you can pick up gas.

Good luck with your trip.

PS: On Choicehotels or Sleepinn website search for MI706

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SS
Reiki Grand Master

Thank you Sudesingh for detailed information. very useful and appreciate it. I will keep in mind the speed limit and exact change for toll. Non acceptance of CAD credit card at gas station is news for me !

Only some gas stations that insist on US credit cards. Besides if you use a Canadian CC, ensure that it's a US$ card, else you'll pay a service charge to your bank for the exchange and the exchange rate too is not that great

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SS
Reiki Grand Master

Is it only my computer or is anyone else having problems with reading this thread? On my computer, the AD panel which is normally to extreme right is appearing in the middle and I cannot read the valuable information from SS.

MODS, if you can let me know how to overcome this, it will be appreciated.

Thanks.
Hiren

me too having this problem, Hiren.

It is because of the hyperlink in SS's email.

SS- could you please put a link tag or truncate the link?

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