Here is my route plan from Massachusetts to Dearborn for the 50th. I’ve spoken to a few other travelers that will be joining in from as far south as Maryland.
—Wednesday, June 7th: Depart North Adams, MA around noon time. Take NY Thru-way I-87 south to I-84, then onto I-81 to Drums, PA.
—Wednesday Night, stay over in Drums, PA. Hope to meet other New England Cougars to caravan together.
So far, I am undecided on hotel. It’s looking like Holiday Inn Express for $116 per night +taxes. Or, on the other side of the highway is an Econolodge for about $59 a night + taxes. The Holiday Inn looks like it has better parking and is overall nicer.
—Thursday Morning. Meet with other Cougars from New Jersey and Eastern PA. Approximately 9:30am, head west on I-80 to Arrive in Clearfield, PA for lunch between 12-1. Steve Palmer from Maryland will be joining us at this point. Other DelMarVa Cougars may want to get in touch with Steve for travel plans. For lunch in Clearfield near the highway, it looks like Dutch Pantry Family Restaurant on exit 120. The reviews were pretty good and they will be open when we are passing through. Exit 120 at 12pm.
—Continue I-80 west. Approximately 3pm: Gas stop at exit 223 TA Travel Center, west of Youngstown, OH.
—Then I-280 onto I-75. Arrive in Dearborn between 6 and 7pm.
--------Let me know if this route and timing works for you as we’d love to have more Cougars in the group.
I could meet up with you on I -80 in Ohio outside of Youngstown? It looks like you will be near me sometime mid-afternoon? There will be several cats with me, but I’m not sure how many at this time! mike 330-584-6471
Thanks Mark for posting this. Can I kindly request that you also please consider adding this route to our ‘Cougar Caravan Forum’ on the CATS Classic Cougar Club website? We want to ensure all attendees see their options together on this forum.
Absolutely! It will be quite a parade by the time we get there. We will probably need a fuel stop at that point. We’ll just have to determine an exit with an easily accessible gas station.
I had a few minutes to look for a gas station on I-80. Just west of Youngstown on Exit 223 there is a TA Travel Center. Mike, does this look like a good meeting point for you guys? I think we will be there around 3 o’clock.
Make sure everyone has EZ pass (or the equivalent). I remember that blew our caravan apart on the way to the '05 Nats in VA. People without were stuck in traffic waiting to pay tolls, while those with EZ pass sped on through.
The great state of MA will just send folks without EZ Pass a bill. I’m not sure what other states on your route are doing. You may not be on any toll routes once you’re done with 87 & 84.
