Wisconsin to Maine
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 134
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From: Wisconsin
Wisconsin to Maine
Touring for 3-weeks to the east coast this summer and am looking for the best direct route to Bangor Maine. HD trip planner shows taking the Trans Can. Hwy then come back into NY towards Maine. (shortest route) The other route would be along the great lakes taking primarily Interstate 90.
I've heard that the Trans Canadian hwy is quite boring, (tree lined) and the locals like to speed, while the US citizen are watched carefully for that.
Just curious if anyone the mid-west took a similar trip and what route did you take.
I've heard that the Trans Canadian hwy is quite boring, (tree lined) and the locals like to speed, while the US citizen are watched carefully for that.
Just curious if anyone the mid-west took a similar trip and what route did you take.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,570
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From: Long Island, New York
I 90 from Wisconsin to NY is just a slab for going fast. Some points of interest like Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, but most time you are slugging it out with trucks and weather. I have never gotten through the Ohio valley without rain, usually a lot of rain. In NY it gets a little bit more scenic.
Canada is the shortest route, no experience with that road though. Do a search on riding in Canada, lots of info on this forum. Not a negative, just be informed.
Canada is the shortest route, no experience with that road though. Do a search on riding in Canada, lots of info on this forum. Not a negative, just be informed.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,732
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From: Snow Hill, NC
Do you have a GPS? select the destination, go to your navigation setting turn off highways and tolls....see what it gives you... I think you can do the same with Mapquest, google maps and Rand McNally.com
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 431
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From: Marysville, Ohio
We rode from Ohio to Maine last year, was a nice ride. We stayed in the US, if you can check out rt6 threw PA, the PA canyon is nice. On the way back we hit Gettysburg, well worth the trip. Have fun!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,904
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From: PNW
I altered it a bit from Albany to be more scenic and direct. It shows as 21 hours and 1262 miles. I did this route last June as far as Albany in a day. It was a bit daunting. But, after Syracuse it was very scenic despite being on the interstate. After Albany the route will be even better.
As far as Canada - don't. Higher gas prices, lower speed limits, and boring as all get out. Factor in the time to do 2 border crossings as well as Toronto traffic which can be nightmarish, and you are waaaay ahead staying in the states. Unless you want to check off the two provinces on your btdt map. Then, by all means.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,510
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From: Connecticut
I don't think you'd enjoy the interstates from Chicago to Albany.
I wouldn't like it in the -car-.
Through Canada is probably the better ride, at least to the other side of Lake Ontario...
I wouldn't like it in the -car-.
Through Canada is probably the better ride, at least to the other side of Lake Ontario...
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 206
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From: Mpls.
I'm a fan of riding in Canada. I would definitely add a few miles and go up the St. Lawrence river, The Gaspe {around the horn} is really cool. And from there I would add in 3 days travel time round trip and push to the {bucket list} Cabot Trail north of Nova Scotia Once you get back to the Bangor area I would go back on secondary roads through N.H. White Mountains, Vermont Green Mountains, N.Y. Adirondack Mountains then drop down to Pa rt6 after that hit the highway and twist the grip. Three weeks is plenty of time. P.S post pictures when you get back. 
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 134
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From: Wisconsin
Thanks Guys,
Hmm... Looks like there's a 50/50 opinion on Can. vs US. The goal for the trip is to "beat feat" to the east coast then take the rest of the time to get remote and hit most of the eastern states including Pen. & Virginia's on the way back. As you can see on my avatar, they are on my bucket list for states. There will be 3 riders traveling, all with 13 & 14 Limited's.
Even though it's our cardinal sin, we're thinking of super slabbing it till we hit the eastern seaboard.
What do you guys think about a "red-eye" run at night? I'm not advocating for this, but just thinking that we could ride on a lesser busy/traffic road until sun up and be 1/2 to 2/3rds there.
Thoughts?
Hmm... Looks like there's a 50/50 opinion on Can. vs US. The goal for the trip is to "beat feat" to the east coast then take the rest of the time to get remote and hit most of the eastern states including Pen. & Virginia's on the way back. As you can see on my avatar, they are on my bucket list for states. There will be 3 riders traveling, all with 13 & 14 Limited's.
Even though it's our cardinal sin, we're thinking of super slabbing it till we hit the eastern seaboard.
What do you guys think about a "red-eye" run at night? I'm not advocating for this, but just thinking that we could ride on a lesser busy/traffic road until sun up and be 1/2 to 2/3rds there.
Thoughts?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,570
Likes: 7,943
From: Long Island, New York
I 90 during the day (avoiding rush hour) is OK for making time. I would think you could do Milwaukee to Cleveland in one day, and I know you can do Cleveland to Vermont on the second day, if you stay on 90. Then you are in New England with all the time in the world to see what you want. If NE is the goal, seems like the best bet.
Canada route would have me riding the northern coast of Lake Ontario, Thousand Islands, Montreal and maybe Quebec. But that seems to be a completely different ride that what you are discussing.
Do the research on entering Canada and discuss it with your group, that might be reason(s) enough to stay in the states. If anyone has a colorful past or likes to carry, Canada could be a major issue. Just a heads up. Enjoy.
Canada route would have me riding the northern coast of Lake Ontario, Thousand Islands, Montreal and maybe Quebec. But that seems to be a completely different ride that what you are discussing.
Do the research on entering Canada and discuss it with your group, that might be reason(s) enough to stay in the states. If anyone has a colorful past or likes to carry, Canada could be a major issue. Just a heads up. Enjoy.