driving through Indiana - i-80 or us-30? (Portage: shop, car)

[Rusty_Shackleford]

I'll be driving east in January. Taking either I-80 or US-30 through Indiana/Ohio would be about the same in terms of mileage. I've never driven in Indiana before. So I ask, which road would you take?

How do the two routes compare in terms of time and comfort? I'm guessing I'm a little more likely to hit poor weather on I-80. How are the road conditions (potholes, bumps, etc) for I-80 and US-30?

I wouldn't mind a slightly slower route, if it's a calmer and smoother ride. I won't be in a big hurry, so if US-30 is nicer (traffic, snowfall, potholes) I'd really prefer it.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[domergurl]

US 30 will have stoplights ... will slow you down. 80 is the Toll Road, once you get out of NW Indiana/Portage, you'll have free sailing, unless there's a blizzard or icy conditions, in which case, both routes will be bad.

[Rusty_Shackleford]

There are many toll stops on I-80 though anyway right? Or are those generally really quick compared to intersections? (sorry, I've never rode a tollway before!)

[rrah]

Tolls are very quick compared to stoplights. Again, in terms of snow or ice, both roads might be hazardous.

[MzSnapCup]

The last time we traveled I-80 the flow of traffic was hovering right around 90mph!! That's a little too much for me; I would take Hwy 30.

[domergurl]

Once you get out of NW Indinana, you only have toll booths once you get off the road. You can go through the entire state without seeing another booth until you either get off or cross the state line.

[ShadowCaver]

If you enjoy slower paced travel, seeing some sights, having more opportunity to stop/visit/shop/eat at nifty little communities, take the 30 route,,, otherwise, and while ya can get off and see some local places via this highway too, at least for me, once ya get on the tollroad, its relatively fast smooth sailing from one end to the other, just a few tolls to pay here and there, as mentioned above. If first time in the tollways, be aware/careful of (a) people spreading out, lane jockying to get the 'best/shortest' tollbooth, and (b) merging from multiple [~5] lanes back down to 2, in what can be a relatively short distance.

Both, IMHO are relatively smooth roads, very few potholes/problems on their route. I would imagine that 80 would get more snow, whereas 30 more ice - but can vary depending on surface temps, and weather conditions/patterns.

[Rusty_Shackleford]

I guess I'll take I-80. Thank you all for the advice and comments

[bc219]

Just be careful if it's icy, then you might want to even take 30 because speed isn't as big of a factor. Last week there was a 100 car pileup and it's common for smaller pileups when the weather is bad.

[bc219]

I had to respond to this again because I read in the paper the other day that the day the 100car pileup happened, the State Police ordered the Toll Road shut down but they didn't comply! Crazy!