NOTE: Cincinnati is on Eastern Time, so for all of you Chicago-area guests you will 'lose' an hour on your way to Ohio, but you'll 'gain' it back on your way home!
Via Automobile
Cas & Geoff have enjoyed the beautiful state of Indiana many times over, driving from corner to corner on their treks between Chicago and Cincinnati. Here are some tips for your drive, as marked on the map above:
A- Depending on where in Chicagoland you are departing from, try to get to I-80 as soon as you can [we alternate between using I-355 & I-294 South]. Be prepared for backups on I-80 East after crossing the border into Indiana; the interchange with I-65 South has been under construction for more than 10 years! Geoff fondly remembers all those longer-than-necessary drives to South Bend.
B- Exit 253/Merrillville/Route 30 on I-65 has many restaurants [including a Portillo's if you exit westbound!] and gas stations if you are already looking to stretch your legs. A popular stop for us on our way back to Chicago.
C- There is a highway Rest Stop just north of the
massive Wind Farm; drivers, try not to be too mesmerized with their slow... continuous... twirling...
D- Exit 172/Lafayette/Route 26 is another good exit full of restaurants and gas stations.
E- Cas & Geoff typically bypass downtown Indianapolis by taking I-865 East to I-465 East. This also leads to
Exit 27/Michigan Road which in our opinion has the best variety of food [head south on Michigan Road] and is conveniently near the center of the overall trip. You are welcome to stay on I-65 South and swing by downtown Indianapolis if you're feeling adventurous... just make sure you end up on I-74 East to Cincinnati!
F- Hopefully you have a GPS or Mapquest to guide you through the twists and turns of the highways near Cincinnati- it gets pretty hilly [especially compared to Flatland- er- Chicago]. If you're headed to the recommended hotels remember you'll have to cross the Ohio River [probably on I-71/75 South]. See our
Ceremony & Reception Page for venue addresses!
Filling Up: The cheapest gas prices you'll find on the 5-hour-or-so car ride are between Indianapolis and the Ohio border [along I-74], and once you're in Kentucky near the hotels.
And now, a slideshow with some of the drive's highlights:
Via Aeroplane
If you'll be flying directly in, the most convenient airport is the
Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Airport.
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