Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 02-26-2013, 02:23 PM   #1
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 10
best route chicago to forest city

Taking our MH in for service at the Winnebago factory. Shortest way is 90W from Chicago to Rockford, then 20W into IA. Has anyone taken 20W? Not sure how local of a road it is and if I'm better off taking 90W all the way over and then heading South from Minnesota (even though it's 60 miles longer). Thanks!
deallaw is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2013, 02:41 PM   #2
Winnebago Watcher
 
kewag's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 4
I am from Iowa and in Iowa. Hwy 20 is a good road. Look at taking I80 to Quad Cities and north from there. That is a long trip, if you need any stopping points around the quad cities, Davenport, Let me know. I know of atleast 2 that are open all year with full hookups. You can also stay at many Wally and gambling joints on the way. Wait until the snow events have passed. Have a save trip.
__________________
Karl and Janet
Tiffin Zephyr 45QDZ
Owens-Classic Trailer, with elevator and air ride
kewag is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2013, 03:52 PM   #3
Winnebago Watcher
 
sadiebug's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Northeast Iowa/Eastern Montana
Posts: 3
Highway 90 West to 20 then to 35 North. Get off at Clear Lake and take a left on 18 to Garner. Just past Garner take a right on 69 North and about 13 miles you will be in Forest City. 80 will work too to 35. There is the Largest Truck Stop in the US right outside of the Quad Cities but after that your next nearest Wally World would be Iowa City. After that Ames or Ankeny. They were in the process of rebuilding a large truck stop between Ames and Clear Lake when we went to the State Fair. Clear Lake does have a large truck stop also. After that you will be pretty much to your destination. Or you can take 90 all the way to Albert Lea. 60 miles longer? When I lived in North Dakota/Montana that might be the closest anything was to you.
__________________
Greg and Cyndi
2010 5th Wheel Scamp
07 Toyota Tundra
sadiebug is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2013, 05:04 PM   #4
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 10
thanks for the suggestions. I had another look at the map after reading your comments and now I'm leaning toward I80 then North up 35. doesn't seem to add much time even though it's 40mi longer. Plus more stopping options along the way - including Wally World ! Leaving Sunday so hopefully snow cleared out by then
deallaw is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2013, 05:24 PM   #5
Winnebago Camper
 
sparkydog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 11
No need to go all the way to I 35. Take I 380 just past Iowa City to 218 to Charles City and across to 35. We travel this way to Sturgis every year, 45' with 24' trailer. Saves a lot of time, good roads!
__________________
Gary & Janet
'12 American Eagle
'06 Jeep Wrangler
sparkydog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2013, 09:38 PM   #6
Winnebago Watcher
 
kewag's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 4
Leaving Sunday is a save bet, If you decide to stay anywhere along the Quad Cities, let me know and we will visit and say hi. Have a safe trip.
__________________
Karl and Janet
Tiffin Zephyr 45QDZ
Owens-Classic Trailer, with elevator and air ride
kewag is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2013, 11:22 PM   #7
Winnie-Wise
 
ernieh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 296
X2 for the 80/ 380/ 218. Did it all the time for GNR when I owned a Winnie.
__________________
ernieh
2019 Phaeton 37BH
2003 Journey DL
ernieh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2013, 08:42 AM   #8
Winnebago Camper
 
RV735's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 25
X3 for the 80/380/218. We also did this form NY this summer. All good roads. While at Winnebago and the MH was being worked on we visited Mason city: Frank Lloyd Wright Stockman House is the Prairie School Design (economy model) built in 1895. We also toured the hotel that FLW designed and built in 1910--he built 5 in his lifetime, but this is the only one left in the world. This has been completely restored ($20million) and just reopened in September, 2011. Also Music Man Square. In Clear Lake visit Surf Ballroom (last place Buddy Holly played). Also visit the field the Plane crashed in out side of Clear Lake. See our blog on May 22, 23, &24 for additional pictures. RVGR8escape
__________________
2004 Meridian, 2006 Jeep Liberty, Blue Ox, Airforce one
https://rvgr8escape.blogspot.com/
FMCA 403779
RV735 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2013, 06:15 PM   #9
Winnebago Owner
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Le Claire, Iowa
Posts: 169
I was on US 20 eastbound last fall from Cedar Rapids to Dubuque and the road is terible. Its a washboard it will jar your fillings out. I cant say what the westbound lane is like, I wouldn't try it. I went to FC, last fall and the 80/380/218 is a really good road and not alot of traffic.
ghutch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2013, 07:35 PM   #10
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 10
Thanks for the advice everyone. In the interest of science I tried 88/80/380 westbound and 20 eastbound. Time was same to NW Chicago (storage place near O'Hare). But the first 50 miles into IL was a nightmare on 20. Might be a nice drive during the day in a car through Galena, but not recommended in a motorhome at night. I was trying to beat a snow storm Monday night so figured I'd try the shorter 20 route. Ghutch - you're right a bumpy ride on the IA side too, but fortunately I still have my fillings. Bottom line take 88/80/380 to the "Saints Ave" highway. Thanks to Al and Brian (aka the SlideMeister) for servicing my rig in one day.
deallaw is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Best Time Of Year To Drive To Forest City Iowa GG1 Winnebago General Discussions 18 01-06-2015 06:52 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Winnebago Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:35 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.