I-70 Through Indiana

[ElCamino Man]

Hey guys! I just wanna throw a bit of info in here for all you travelers. I picked up my Airstream a few days ago and drove from Illinois, across Indiana, and ended up in northern Ohio. About 7 hours worth... Anyways, if your planning on traveling across Interstate 70 through Indiana, YOUVE BEEN WARNED. It is the roughest road I have EVER been on! And I live in a rural area down a gravel road!!! You cant miss the bumps because both lanes are trash. Theyve got potholes bigger than iv seen on gravel. But the good/bad part is: not much construction. The road department definitly isnt doin its job! If you can take an alternate route, I highly suggest it. Other wise, youll be cursing that road the entire way through. I did goin east, and comin back west! Everything in the ol AS was josseled around by the time I got home. If you HAVE to take it, BE CAREFUL.

PS: Its JUST Indiana. The 30 miles I was in Illinois was ok and Ohio was a dream!

[av8or]

I-74 isn't much better. Taxpayer dollars hard at work, but at least we have a lot of windmills. I just drove from Jackson Center back to Idaho a few weeks ago, and Indiana & Iowa were the worst parts of the trip.

[Airtandem]

This could get political-----JOBS

[noreen&sal]

Originally Posted by Airtandem

This could get political-----JOBS

Those 2 last words need to be in the Forbidden Words department. Sal.

[av8or]

Originally Posted by Airtandem

This could get political-----JOBS

What? It was just an observation!

[dkottum]

Thanks for the tip, we are planning on heading that way soon. Been looking at other routes, anyone used US 30 ILL-IN-OH ?

doug k

[polarlyse]

Hey. Get off those "I" roads and try some of the state highways. I drove west from Indianapolis using Rt. 36 and it was a very pleasant drive. Especially in Missouri. And we found Rt. 34 in Iowa just about as nice. Maybe a tad slower but all good roads. Not this year though but in the past I also enjoyed Rt. 36 across Kansas. It's a shame but many of the interstates will just beat you up.

Enjoy the ride. See ya on the road sometime

[dkottum]

You're right Roger, we travel almost exclusively off the interstates whenever we can. There is little to see on them, they are dominated by big trucks (where are the railroads), and they are getting beat to crap by this heavy traffic.

doug k

[Ridgerunner3]

Originally Posted by polarlyse

Hey. Get off those "I" roads and try some of the state roads

Amen X2

[ElCamino Man]

I actually was on 36 for some of the trip. A very nice road! Took 36 west accross to I-75 south, then to I-70 west. Never again!!!!

[tlavergne]

Originally Posted by dkottum

Thanks for the tip, we are planning on heading that way soon. Been looking at other routes, anyone used US 30 ILL-IN-OH ?

doug k

US 30 in Ohio is very good. Four lane most of the way but not busy like an interstate. Takes you through Amish country and within 5 or 6 miles of Lehman Hardware in Kidron. Would highly recommend it.
Tom

[Airtandem]

30, not too bad. I've taken as far as Sugar Grove. I see that you are coming from Mn, where are you picking up 30? 30 from Mt Vernon to DeWitt is ROUGH. DeWitt to Clinton is 4 lanes. 6 is also a good 2 lane. 2 good campgrounds in Il.; on 30, Shabonna and Starved Rock on 6.

[polarlyse]

Hey Doug. We saw lots of rail activity on our recent trip out west. Just got back 2 days ago. I guess they just can't handle all the crap coming in from China by themselves. Through North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and Colorado the rails are smoking with cargo and coal trains. As you come eastbound though the rail usage drops off and you don't see much at all.

[dkottum]

Thanks for the road updates guys! Air Forums working at its best. My back, my wife, and the Airstream like good roads.

We'll use the US 30 advice with a stop at Jax Center on the way to D.C. Then a scenic/historic route to NM, AZ, CA for the winter months. Always open to info/advice.

doug k

[SilverRanger]

Originally Posted by ElCamino Man

... Anyways, if your planning on traveling across Interstate 70 through Indiana, YOUVE BEEN WARNED. It is the roughest road I have EVER been on! ...
... PS: Its JUST Indiana. The 30 miles I was in Illinois was ok and Ohio was a dream!

Having just traveled the same route to Kansas City just two weeks ago, I fully concur. I've been on some better maintained roads in parts of the Yukon Territory.

[Gene]

You may have noticed that neither the states or feds are spending enough money on infrastructure. Bad roads are one result and this will get worse, I fear.

Last time, a couple of years ago, Indiana was ok on I-70, but western Ill. was bad on the way to the Miss. R. crossing just north of St. Louis. We prefer 2 laners, but when you have to go cross country fast to get to destinations, interstates and some other limited access roads are necessary.

The worst road for a distance was the W. Va. Turnpike—and you have to pay for it too.

Gene

[LawChick]

70 through Indiana really is the worst, most potholed, bumpy road we've been on in the whole country. Stay off it!

[Gene]

Originally Posted by LawChick

70 through Indiana really is the worst, most potholed, bumpy road we've been on in the whole country. Stay off it!

We were on that highway 3 years ago and it was fine. It shows how fast an interstate can deteriorate without proper maintenance.

Gene

[ljsigman]

Can you tell us where you began your trip across Illinois through Indiana? We are planning to travel to St. Louis from Jackson Center in October. May need to change our plans accordingly!

[damonbeals]

I-70 from Indianapolis to Terre Haute is under construction currently, they are patching many of the worse areas. So it's getting better. We took I-70 in May and it was very bad in several areas.

Damon
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