We left Missouri on June 23, 2008 headed to the Rochester, NY area. We left early enough and made good enough time to somewhat avoid traffic snarls in most major cities. We always take the 270 South (to Memphis) loop around St. Louis ~ this turns into the 255 Loop in Illinois and then allows you to get back on I-55, I-70 or I-64, depending on where you're heading. Traffic is usually a little tight when you first get on the loop, but after a few miles it thins out greatly, making travel a little less hectic. Just FYI, you can take the 270 North (to Chicago) loop, too, but traffic is always heavy that way for several miles as you're heading toward the airport, etc.
There was a little bit of flooding on the Mississippi along the loop, but not near as bad as it could have been. The levees breaking north of St. Louis has alleviated some of the flooding that would have otherwise left St. Louis in quite a mess. Not at all good for towns like Winfield, MO, but since that's the way it happened, it was actually a help for the St. Louis area.
We did notice a LOT of people pulled over by state troopers in Illinois as we went across. Caution to travelers, speed limits are lower, even on the interstates in Illinois ~ and if you're pulling a trailer, RV, 5th wheel, etc., they're even lower. Heed the signs as it looks like, at least on that day, that they are cracking down.
We also almost always take the 465 loop around Indianapolis ~ and once again, going south seems to be less traffic than going north. We got there around 3:30 or so with the time change at the Illinois/Indiana border. Traffic wasn't too bad, but this is another city where traffic seems to be heavy no matter when you go through.
Are they ever going to get done with construction on I-70 through Dayton, OH???? GEEZ! We've been going through there for years, and there is always ALWAYS 20 miles of road construction. Now that I mention it, Ohio seems to have road construction everywhere. If Dayton doesn't slow you down, the construction on the 271 loop around Cleveland surely will. Lord help you if you're heading south. Patience. Patience. Patience. (but, boy don't we love those express lanes on 271!!!)
We did stop to eat at Texas Roadhouse on Hilliard Road in Columbus, OH. We hadn't ever been to this Texas Roadhouse and the food and service were both good. Click here for more info.
We made it all the way to Erie, PA and slept in the truck at a TA truck stop. Okay, we usually like to stay at Flying J's, but there wasn't one in the area when we got ready to stop. I don't know, they just seem safer and cleaner for the most part.
We made it into the Rochester area on Tuesday and made our stops. Rochester traffic wasn't bad at all, even in the middle of the day and even heading right into downtown. One thing that probably wasn't as clear as it should of been for us 'out of towners' is how to get on and stay on the Inner Loop. We got on the Inner Loop and should have stayed left to get on it again ~ kinda sorta. Instead we took the exit for the Inner Loop and then stayed right and ended up on a side street and had to figure out how to get back on the loop. No big deal, just when you're not from places, sometimes the directions aren't as clear as they should be. C'mon Mapquest!
We truly do like upstate New York! If they could cut out their winters, it would be a great place to live. LOL It is beautiful country up there and it's pretty rural, but always with a bigger city nearby.
We made it back to the Buffalo area that afternoon and decided to get a room. Me, being ME, tried for a Motel 6 or a Super 8 ~ Chris, being CHRIS, decided to treat us to a special night. I know, isn't he sweet? We ended up staying at The Garden Palace Hotel in Williamsville, NY and got a king bed with a jacuzzi ~ ahhhh, that's what I'm talkin' 'bout! The cost was right at $145.00, which is way more than we normally spend for a room, but it was early enough that we could enjoy it. We ordered room service, which comes from Salvatore's Italian Garden ~ click here for more info.
We left the Buffalo area on Wednesday morning and headed home to Missouri. We did stop and eat at Macaroni Grill in Dublin, OH (right outside of Columbus). Next door was a Chipolte's Mexican Grill and people were lined up out the door and around the building ~ what was that all about??? Turns out all the Chipolte Mexican Grills ~ at least in that area ~ were giving away a free burrito. Not sure what the marketing goal was on that, but people were lined up to get them, so it must have been working. Click here for our review of Macaroni Grill.
We made it to Brazil, Indiana that night and again, slept in the truck. (good thing we have the truck set up to sleep in, huh? lol). I don't remember the truck stop, but I definitely prefer a Flying J.
We made it home Thursday afternoon and needless to say, we were exhausted! That's roughly 1885 miles, with stops, in three and a half days.
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