A 5-day family adventure from New York to Chicago via I-80, lakes, history, and architecture
Estimated cost
€1,850estimated total
Stays
€760
Fuel
€185
Food
€555
Other
€350
Estimates generated at planning time — your actual costs may vary.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
236 km2h 58mDepart 08:30
Start
NY, USA
Drive 115 km in ~1h 30min via I-80 W from New York
135 km1h 40m
1
Attraction
Bushkill
Bushkill, United States
10:00–12:302h 30m here
River cliffs, trails, and photo viewpoints
Great first hike for kids and photos; use Kittatinny Point lot and bring bug spray in June.
Drive 37 km in ~32 min via I-80 W and PA-611
37 km32m
2
Food
Barley Creek Brewing Company
Tannersville, United States
12:55–13:551h here€80
Casual Pocono brewpub with hearty local fare
Easy family lunch after hiking; order burgers or pierogies and use the large surface parking lot.
Drive 65 km in ~50min via I-380 N and I-81 S
62 km40m
3
Attraction
Steamtown National Historic Site
Scranton, United States
14:45–16:452h here€30
Railroad history museum with locomotives
Strong history stop with kid-friendly trains; check same-day ranger talks before entering.
Drive 2 km in ~15min through downtown Scranton
2 km6m
4
Overnight
Hilton Scranton & Conference Center
Scranton, United States
17:00–18:001h here€165
Central hotel with garage parking
Comfortable city base for family; confirm SUV height for the connected garage before arrival.
Day 2
341 km3h 43mDepart 08:30
Drive 1 km in ~10min from Hilton Scranton downtown
0 km1m
5
Food
Northern Light Espresso Bar and Cafe
Scranton, United States
08:40–09:401h here€45
Independent breakfast cafe downtown
Good quick local breakfast before I-80; grab sandwiches for the drive if kids snack often.
Drive 250 km in ~2h 30min via I-80 W and PA-144 S
212 km2h 14m
6
Attraction
Penn's Cave and Wildlife Park
Centre Hall, United States
12:10–15:103h here€110
Boat cave tour and wildlife park
Adventure plus cooling cave tour for June; book the boat tour ahead and fuel nearby first.
Drive 105 km in ~1h 15min via PA-144 N and I-80 W
94 km1h 4m
7
Food
Denny's Beer Barrel Pub
Clearfield, United States
16:25–17:251h here€75
Famous casual burger pub
Fun fast-casual local stop for families; split a large burger challenge item to keep it reasonable.
Drive 35 km in ~35min via I-80 W
35 km24m
8
Overnight
Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites DuBois
DuBois, United States
18:00–19:001h here€155
Reliable hotel near I-80
Easy overnight off I-80 with SUV-friendly lot; refuel tonight before rural morning stretches.
Day 3
348 km3h 54mDepart 08:30
Drive 55 km in ~50min via PA-255 N and PA-36 N
64 km45m
9
Activity
Cook Forest State Park
Leeper, United States
09:20–11:502h 30m here
Forest hike and tall lookout tower
Short adventure hike with big photo payoff; arrive early for cooler air and easier parking.
Drive 109 km in ~1h 13min via I-80 W
109 km1h 13m
10
Food
Talbot's Taproom & Terrace
Mercer, United States
13:35–14:351h here€75
Relaxed local lunch near I-80
Good break before Ohio with kid-friendly plates; choose the terrace if weather is mild.
Drive 115 km in ~1h 10min via I-80 W and I-76 W
126 km1h 19m
11
Attraction
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
Akron, United States
15:45–18:152h 30m here€75
Historic estate, gardens, and architecture
Blends architecture, history, and gardens; prebook tours and park in the main estate lot.
Drive 50 km in ~38 min via I-77 N
50 km38m
12
Overnight
Hilton Garden Inn Cleveland Downtown
Cleveland, United States
19:05–20:051h here€175
Downtown hotel near lakefront attractions
Good base for lakefront evening stroll; use hotel parking rather than tight street spaces for SUV.
Day 4
373 km3h 50mDepart 08:30
Drive 2 km in ~10min along E 9th Street
2 km6m
13
Attraction
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Cleveland, United States
08:40–11:102h 30m here€125
Iconic music museum on Lake Erie
Memorable indoor stop if June storms hit; reserve timed tickets and park at North Coast Harbor.
Drive 5.5 km in ~5 min via Shoreway W
6 km5m
14
Activity
Edgewater Beach
Cleveland, United States
11:25–13:252h here
Lake Erie beach and skyline views
Covers beach time and skyline photos; swim only if lifeguards and water conditions allow.
Drive 185 km in ~1h 55min via I-90 W and Ohio Turnpike
175 km1h 43m
15
Food
The Original Tony Packo's
Toledo, United States
15:20–16:201h here€70
Classic Toledo hot dogs and local fare
Regional food icon with fast service; try Hungarian hot dogs and pickles before the next leg.
Drive 160 km in ~1h 45min via US-24 W
191 km1h 55m
16
Overnight
Hilton Garden Inn Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, United States
18:05–19:051h here€155
Comfortable hotel with easy parking
Practical overnight with wider surface parking; top off fuel for tomorrow’s Indiana Toll Road drive.
Day 5
299 km3h 51mDepart 08:30
Drive 17 km in ~16 min via Jefferson Boulevard
17 km16m
17
Attraction
Fort Wayne Zoo
Fort Wayne, United States
08:50–11:202h 30m here€95
Highly rated family zoo
Excellent kid-focused morning before driving; arrive at opening for active animals and cooler paths.
Drive 70 km in ~1h 15min via US-30 W
61 km49m
18
Food
Village At Winona
Winona Lake, United States
12:35–14:051h 30m here€75
Lakeside shops and casual dining area
Relaxing lake lunch and stroll for couples and kids; park once and choose Boathouse or Light Rail Cafe.
Drive 145 km in ~1h 50min via US-30 W and I-94 W
135 km1h 38m
19
Attraction
Indiana Dunes National Park
Porter, United States
15:55–18:553h here€25
Lake Michigan dunes, beach, and trails
Best beach and photo stop before Chicago; use West Beach lot and rinse sand before the SUV ride.
Drive 80 km in ~1h 20min via I-94 W into Chicago traffic
85 km1h 3m
20
Food
Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago
Chicago, United States
20:15–21:001h here€75
Classic Chicago hot dogs and Italian beef
Fast local classic to finish the trip; order Italian beef dipped and use a nearby garage for the SUV.
Finish
IL, USA
Before you go
Local tips
- 1Book Penn's Cave boat tour and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame timed tickets before departure.
- 2Refuel in Scranton, DuBois, and Fort Wayne to avoid paying more at isolated toll-road plazas.
- 3Use official lots at Edgewater, Stan Hywet, and Indiana Dunes; they fit an SUV better than tight street parking.
- 4Start outdoor hikes before noon; June humidity and afternoon thunderstorms are common along this route.
- 5At Indiana Dunes, arrive after late-afternoon turnover for easier beach parking and softer photo light.
Good to know
- 1I-80 in Pennsylvania and the Ohio Turnpike have toll segments; carry a compatible E-ZPass or expect bill-by-plate fees.
- 2June thunderstorms can close beaches or delay cave and zoo activities; keep indoor backups in Cleveland and Fort Wayne.
- 3Lake Erie and Lake Michigan swimming depends on lifeguards, rip currents, and water quality advisories.
- 4Watch for deer on forest roads near Cook Forest around dawn and dusk.
- 5Chicago downtown garages may have height limits; confirm clearance for the SUV before entering.
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