<p>My friend and I are driving to Flint, Michigan from around Allentown PA. We could go the northern route across the top tier (route 80) of PA or take the mid-route on the turnpike (route 76) and go through Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. Driving wise, the northern route makes more sense and it’s a pretty drive, but we’re not driving the whole way in one day so could take the Southern route and spend the night in Pittsburgh. If we take the Nothern route it looks like Youngstown, Ohio or maybe Cleveland would be the stopping point.</p>
<p>If we do the Southern route we could maybe visit Fallingwater. If we do the Northern route, we could perhaps stop at the Rock and Roll hall of fame in Cleveland. </p>
<p>We’re open for suggestions for places to stay or stops on the way. Not looking for multiple day things to do, more like up to three hours on the way or slightly off the highway.</p>
<p>If you want to head south to 76 past Johnstown, etc., you could stop at Horseshoe Curve or visit the Johnstown Flood museum. Of those, Horseshoe Curve is actually pretty cool and isn’t far off the highway. </p>
<p>The problem with the southern route is you then need to head north on something like 75. It’s a lot longer, as you know, and not much to see. </p>
<p>You could check out Ft. Erie.</p>
<p>There isn’t much between there and Cleveland. And there isn’t much between Cleveland and Michigan, unless you count an amusement park. </p>
<p>There are some interesting choices near Detroit, notably Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. Either or both - they’re connected - is definitely worth a trip.</p>
<p>Either way you’ll end up on 80 - the Ohio Turnpike so that you could stop at Rock and Roll hall of fame. You’ll then catch I-280 (a slight shortcut) or I-75 to I-75 North probably. </p>
<p>In April we had to travel to New Jersey from Northwest Ohio via either one of the routes you spoke of - we opted to take I-76 - it was a little less time (maybe an hour?) but had steep tolls - $25 or so. To us, it was worth it to save the hour. </p>
<p>Anything in PA is more scenic than the drive once you get west of Cleveland. (knocking my own area, but it’s a fact!!!)</p>
<p>Edited to say, if you want to do any shopping, there is a huge outlet mall near Flint:</p>
<p>Guess you are right about the end point abasket. According to Google maps, the time for either route is within half an hour, but having done both routes, I’ve found that the turnpike has a bit more traffic. Of course highway construction season has started here in PA so that can make any trip longer then whatever google map says!</p>
<p>Johnstown is an interesting idea Lergnmom. I’ve wanted to see that area too.</p>
<p>IMO, Fallingwater is really worth seeing, Ohiopyle State Park nearby is also a nice stopping place.</p>
<p>I found the Johnstown Flood Museum interesting, the Horseshoe Curve not as much. There is also a Railroad Museum near the Curve if trains are your thing.</p>
<p>We drive this route often. D went to school in the area and we live in Michigan. How long do you want to drive in one day. Youngstown is about 5 hours and Toledo, 8. We always take 80 across PA, it’s the easist way. Once you get to Toledo it’s a little over 2 hours to Flint. </p>
<p>If you want to stop in Detroit it’s only an hour and a half to Flint. If you want to stop in Cleveland, it will be an hour or so from the turnpike to downtown. The turnpike runs to the south of the city. </p>
<p>So it depends on how much you want to drive each day and what you want to do. We drive through if we have 2 drivers, if I’m by myself I stop in Cleveland but I have relatives there.</p>
<p>Personally, I’d take the northern route and stop in Cleveland if you aren’t driving it straight in one day.More to do in and around Cleveland. It’s a longer first day around 7 hours to Cleveland depending on where you stop, but less than 4 to Flint so you could see a few things at night in Cleveland and in the AM before heading north.</p>
<p>Get gas more often than you think you need to; pack some healthy snacks (fruit, crackers, and extra water); and bring an in-car charger for your cell phone. Be aware that there may be some spots in which you do not get reception.</p>
<p>Unless you have a life insurance policy that you would really, really like to be paid out, why would you stop in Detroit?</p>
<p>I’d take the route that allows you to go to Fallingwater. My H grew up in Western PA and we’ve gone several times to visit. I thought it was a worthwhile trip. There’s another FLW house in the area: [Kentuck</a> Knob | Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for I.N. and Bernardine Hagan](<a href=“http://www.kentuckknob.com%5DKentuck”>http://www.kentuckknob.com) I thought it was as interesting as Fallingwater. It also has a great sculpture garden.</p>
<p>If you’re going to Pittsburgh, the Andy Warhol Museum is worth the trip as well. My H dragged his family one Christmas vacation–they aren’t museum goers and thought he was nuts. Turned out that everyone enjoyed himself/herself.</p>
<p>Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford are not very close to what you are thinking about. We are talking about a place elementary schools take children on field trips, here. Get real.</p>
<p>Agreed, this is a very broad brush to paint the whole area with! We love the Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village, can recommend that. If you like amusement parks, Cedar Point (near Sandusky) is also a possibility.</p>
<p>Wow, what great ideas! My friend is first coming from CT, so she will already have a few hours drive under her belt before she gets to my house. That’s why we thought it might be better to not do the whole thing in one day. I didn’t realize there was another house near Fallingwater! As much as I like roller coasters, amusement parks are probably not going to be a part of this trip!</p>
<p>Great suggestions!</p>
<p>We’re actually having a meet up with friends from around the country but our hostess lives in Michigan, not really in Detroit. I’ve only driven through Michigan so am looking forward to seeing more. I think we’ll be okay with the drive - both of our kids graduated from colleges further away then this trip, so we have a little driving experience! ;)</p>
<p>Actually, if you’re into ruin porn, some of the leading sites are in Detroit, particularly the Packard Plant - which will, I gather, actually be torn down. It’s amazing. Banksy did a piece in the ruins.</p>
<p>Ruin porn, eh? I had to look that one up, but immediately understood it. I do find old buildings interesting but really sad. I like it when an alternative use is found for the building, like they did near me with the old Bethlehem Steel plant - [SteelStacks</a> - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania](<a href=“http://www.steelstacks.org/]SteelStacks”>http://www.steelstacks.org/) </p>
<p>Turns out my friend is more familiar with Cleveland and would like to see something new, so we’re leaning towards the Southern route.</p>
<p>Another southern route to consider. Also, Fallingwater is best if you get advance tickets, it can be really busy in the summer. Thirdly, Horseshoe Curve and the Railroaders’ Museum are in two different locations, but both in Altoona, not Johnstown. Happy travels</p>
<p>ohmygosh, Route 30 through Pennsylvania? Just shoot me! Okay, it’s probably not that bad but I know the eastern portion of route 30 from living in Chester County several years ago and that is not a road I would want to travel any distance on.</p>
<p>The one negative to Fallingwater is the timing. The last tour is at 4:30 which would be just barely possible for us and that’s if we don’t stop, assuming we leave at noon. I’m almost thinking it might be better to push on to Pittsburgh, spend the night there and then do something in Pittsburgh, like the Incline or just walk around downtown before heading west again.</p>
<p>haha…it’s actually better than 22 or much of the turnpike, out there. But what road in PA makes sense?</p>
<p>I agree with Fallingwater, and it does take quite a bit of time to tour. You could take in the Carnegie Museum, or the Heinz Center, both of which are easy to find dahntahn. They are getting ready to re-dedicate the fountain at Point State Park, too (may have done this over the weekend, I’m not sure) so the Park is all spruced up and it’s a nice walk.</p>