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View Full Version : Driving from Chicago to Portland

10-4
03-14-2015, 01:07 PM
About 2100 miles. Shooting to do it in 3 days so I'm not exhausted.

Where should I plan stops? Which route would you take? I'm thinking heading straight west through Iowo/Nebraska, 80 to 84.
FlashUNC
03-14-2015, 01:28 PM
If you can do the detour, the Dinosaur National Monument right at the Utah/Colorado border is a fantastic little National Park.

Its south off 80 a bit (when we came west we went north from 70), but I totally thought it was worth the stop.

http://www.nps.gov/dino/index.htm
Cicli
03-14-2015, 01:32 PM
If you can do the detour, the Dinosaur National Monument right at the Utah/Colorado border is a fantastic little National Park.

Its south off 80 a bit (when we came west we went north from 70), but I totally thought it was worth the stop.

http://www.nps.gov/dino/index.htm

I was there Thursday. I think. Is that the park off of US 6? Anyway, it was on my way from Moab back to SLC. Definitely worth the stop.
10-4
03-14-2015, 02:45 PM
Ah man, I wish I could! Would be a great way to break up day 2 of the drive. But it looks like it'll add at least 200 mi to the trip. I have to be in Portland Thursday work-ready. :bike:
JAllen
03-14-2015, 07:24 PM
About 2100 miles. Shooting to do it in 3 days so I'm not exhausted.

Where should I plan stops? Which route would you take? I'm thinking heading straight west through Iowo/Nebraska, 80 to 84.
That's the way I would take. Should be a fun drive. Out here to work, eh? That's quite the relocation. Do you have an area in mind to call home?
robin3mj
03-14-2015, 07:36 PM
Don't leave town without a dozen donuts from Lou Mitchell's and a couple bags of Intelligentsia.
Ken Robb
03-14-2015, 08:06 PM
700 miles times 3 days is no pleasure trip.
10-4
03-14-2015, 08:50 PM
That's the way I would take. Should be a fun drive. Out here to work, eh? That's quite the relocation. Do you have an area in mind to call home?

Looking at Beaverton. Pricing we can afford, quick enough to downtown.

Any other suggestions? Family is renting short-term, but looking to buy once we get the lay of the land.
10-4
03-14-2015, 08:50 PM
700 miles times 3 days is no pleasure trip.

Not a breeze, but I drove from Austin to Chicago after CX Nots straight through. That was rough, but 1200 miles or something knocked out. I survived. Solo.
likebikes
03-14-2015, 08:56 PM
If you want company, check the craigslist rideshare section- see if anyone needs a ride going west. And post an ad of your own too!
10-4
03-14-2015, 09:05 PM
If you want company, check the craigslist rideshare section- see if anyone needs a ride going west. And post an ad of your own too!

Man, wouldn't be a bad plan! Except my car is small, I'm taking a ton of my crap, and my dog already called shotgun!
MattTuck
03-14-2015, 09:14 PM
I drove cross country on Rt 90, Boston to Seattle.

Wasn't a bad trip. Have no idea what the conditions are in various places, but if you like wine, I'd do that trip and stop in Yakima Valley.

Other stuff to do along the way would be Badlands and Devil's Tower, both of which can be done pretty quickly along the way. I'd suggest Yellowstone, but that is a bigger detour to do it right.
JAllen
03-14-2015, 10:37 PM
Looking at Beaverton. Pricing we can afford, quick enough to downtown.

Any other suggestions? Family is renting short-term, but looking to buy once we get the lay of the land.

Eh hwy 26 in and out for downtown can be a bear same with 217 if you're on that for any length of time. I would consider the Milwaukie/ Gladstone/ Clackamas/ happy valley areas. Honestly, traffic here is pretty annoying no matter where you're at.