<p>We are driving from Ann Arbor, MI to Rochester, NY next week and have received a variety of routes from Mapquest, AAA, Yahoo. Could someone who travels this way frequently offer some advice?
Thanks for your help.</p>
<p>A few years ago I had to drive from Buffalo to Ann Arbor. I found the easiest way was to drive through Canada. Go through Windsor Canada and head down towards Ft Erie/Niagara Falls. Eventually you will get on the QEW and that will take you straight to Buffalo. Cross back into the States via the Peace Bridge. From Buffalo, get back onto I-90 and head to Rochester. It is about a 90 minute drive from Buffalo to Rochester. I think it took me about 5-6 hrs to get to Ann Arbor from Buffalo. Most people that I know that travel up to Michigan, take the route through Canada. Just try to avoid border crossings over a weekend, especially Sundays. Customs can get quite backed-up with the back-ups usually on the Canadian side. </p>
<p>If you want to make a stop at Niagara Falls, you can cross back into the States at the Rainbow Bridge (or Lewiston-Queens Bridge).</p>
<p>If you are determined to stay in the States, head towards Toledo and get on I-90. Stay on I-90 all the way through to Rochester. You will have to drive through both Cleveland and Buffalo but there really isn’t a way to avoid that.</p>
<p>Don’t worry about needing a passport to cross through Canada and get back to the States. Right now that provision is on hold. Carry birth certificates for everyone though, especially for the kids.</p>
<p>If you want to go in the US, Cleveland and Buffalo, you’ll be on I-90 and I don’t think that’s a bad drive. I drove through Buffalo recently during rush hour and it really wasn’t all that long or difficult. I have gone through Cleveland at other times and it wasn’t terrible either. There’s a scenic view of the city!</p>
<p>Thanks diskobox and mom2boys I appreciate the info. I have taken the Canadian route, but felt customs slowed us down a bit. This time we will be picking up a son in Oberlin, so we have to go through Cleveland, but thought I’d check for any sage advice to find the best route.</p>
<p>We drive from Chicago to Syracuse several times a year, and have done both routes. If the border at the Canadian-US crossing is busy, it can add time that might make that route a tad bit longer. Someone actually told me one time that one bridge is preferable than the other for passenger cars to get through more quickly. But yes, you will need birth certificates.</p>
<p>I’d say the majority of times we’ve gone the Toledo, Cleveland, Buffalo, Rochester route. It is a much more scenic drive, especially the parts between Erie, PA and Buffalo as you travel along Lake Erie - lots of grape vineyards on rolling hills. I-90 is a good thoroughfare as long as there is no construction going on. You might check each states transportation website to see if there is construction anywhere along I-90, and if it’s bad, go through Canada. I agree with diskobox that I-90 through Cleveland is kind of scenic, and also runs right next to Lake Erie for a few miles. It certainly wasn’t what I expected Cleveland to be the first time we drove through. My husband still wants to stop sometime and go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Cleveland is actually the 1/2 way point for us between Chicago and Syracuse, so we’re always glad to get there!</p>
<p>If it makes you feel better, in two weeks I’ll be driving the Chicago/Syracuse route to drop off D1 (after I drop her off, I’ll probably take the train back - it’s kind of relaxing); then a day and a half after I return, we’ll be driving the Chicago to Allentown, PA for D2, round trip. We’ve never made that trip, and like your trip, different resources recommend different routes. I’m not sure if we’ll take I-90/80 to I-476, or take I-80 east of Cleveland to I-76, to I-70, to I-76, to I-71, to I-78. If anyone has any preferences of the two routes we have options with, I’d appreciate feedback.</p>
<p>Last weekend I drove Buffalo/Cleveland round trip via I-90. There is some construction (east bound lanes being redone) on I-90 just east of Cleveland for about 8 miles, but the traffic moved quite well both ways. While in PA, as I headed towards Cleveland, I did notice that the east bound traffic was backed up for several miles as they were doing road repairs in the east bound lanes. This was soon after the Pennsylvania border. Heading west on I-90 through PA was fine. Roads are fine in NY and there is no construction going on between the state border and Buffalo. Not sure how it is between Rochester and Buffalo though but I haven’t heard of anyone complaining.</p>
<p>Have a safe trip. I drive this route frequently and yes, it is scenic especially the last half of PA and in NY. Takes about 3hrs to get from downtown Cleveland to Buffalo.</p>
<p>Travel veterans- How long do you think it will take us to drive from Syracuse to Ann Arbor, going the US route? 9 - 10 hours?</p>
<p>Stop for a meal at Tony Packos in Toledo -
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<p>BreatheEasy, not that long at all. We make it from the northern Chicago suburbs (so we have to drive through downtown Chicago proper) to Syracuse in about 10 1/2 to 11 hours, including very brief stops for gas, food, potty, etc. But I do realize that once you get to Ohio, you do have to head north to get into the Detroit area, so, it’s probably more like 8 hours.</p>