Is it better to just go up I75 all the way to the UP and back down to Escanaba or brave Chicago?

If you go through Chicago go at the off hours or you will be scarred for life that is a zoo during the rush hours!

Just take 294 around Chicago and you'll be fine. Try to hit it before 7am or after 10am. Mid day might be a little heavy but it isn't bad.

Hey kytrapper, If you have ever drove through Atlanta during rush hour it is WORSE, (even though there are a lot more people in Chicago)...So you can definitely do it, but I have no idea which one of those routes you mention is the best way to go.

ATL and the Dallas metroplex have had the worse traffic I've ever dealt with.

I'll never drive through Atlanta again.

Watch your speed when you get north of Bay City!

I like to go through Michigan. It's a little longer but I like stopping at Northwoods Outlet along i75 then cut over to Jays Sporting goods in Clare.

going across the bridge and down hwy 2 is the way to go

yep..

If you are really not wanting to drive around Chicago you can go take 57 to 39 and go up to Beloit and then 43 all the way to Green Bay and then 41-141 up to the NTA.

Bryce

No doubt about it...once you get north of Lansing and into the country it doesn’t get any better....
Cross the bridge and it’s even better...

Or head to Ludington and take the fairy over to Wisconsin and drive from there to Escanaba Mi.....

go one way there an thee other on way back Chicago its not that bad I have pull fifth trailer wheel thru there a few time if you don't like heavy traffic take 75 to bridge I don't think there is much different in miles you will have lots of traffic from Gary Indiana thru north Milwaukee

From central NC, I went up I77, cut across OH to I75 to the bridge and then over to Escanaba. I came back through WI and zig zagged back home. I will most likely go up and come back through MI on I75 this year. IMO, I75 is a much more pleasant drive than going through WI.

Slight correction......I did take 23 from Toledo until it ran back in to I75. That is the shortest, and fastest way for me according to Google maps.

take 23 up to 75 off of 90

That's the route I take. Easy peasy.

coming from the west take 39 north off 80. 43 north to greenbay then 141 to highway 2.

if going through Chicago is the only way without a lot of extra miles watch the signs. its easy to get in the wrong lane and get off on the wrong road. fill up so you can drive right on through. drive in the left lanes. once you get north of Milwaukee you got it made.

If you go through Chi towm, just don't putter around! Drive with the traffic or you will get run over! Any big city is that way!