Least Mountainous Route D.C. to Minneapolis

B

Beastmobile

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So I'm moving to Minneapolis in a few days and driving the 4Runner with a 5x8 Uhaul trailer. There will be no furniture in the trailer just around 25 18 gallon bins with all the things we packed (dishes, clothing, some books, etc.) I am trying to figure out the best route to take to avoid as much of the mountainous roads.

Has anyone driven from the Washington D.C. area up I-270 to Minnesota? What route would you recommend?

Is I-270 > I-70W > I-68W > I-40W than back on I-70W the best route to avoid large climbs..?

Any information would be greatly appreciated!
 
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Go south until you hit Florida. Then West until you hit the Mississippi River, then North until you hit Minnesota. If that doesn't work, you could always call AAA or look on a map. :thumb3:

Daren
 
DarenS said:
Go south until you hit Florida. Then West until you hit the Mississippi River, then North until you hit Minnesota. If that doesn't work, you could always call AAA or look on a map. :thumb3:

Daren
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Awesome!!! Thanks for your help. I think I will do that
 
You didn't ask for the shortest route. You asked for the flattest. As you probably know, there are some hills called the Appalachian Mountains between you and Minnesota. :lookout:

Daren
 
DarenS said:
You didn't ask for the shortest route. You asked for the flattest. As you probably know, there are some hills called the Appalachian Mountains between you and Minnesota. :lookout:

Daren
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Never said flattest. I said least mountainous which would still imply there would be some mountains to cross. But thanks for your help. It was very beneficial. I should just take a plane
 
If you're freaking out about your big beasty 4th gen towing a little UHaul trailer over the Appalachians, maybe you should take a plane.
 
Go over the mountains. Stay in 4th and you'll be fine.

Let's assume you had those 25 18-gallon crates completely full of water (worst case scenario). 1 gallon of water weighs 8.34 lbs. (8.34*18)*25 = 3,753 lbs. You're still fine.
 
Ahhhhh.....

Google maps! Who would of thought about applying the "terrain" layer to get a visual of pre-planned routes.
 
Beastmobile said:
Never said flattest. I said least mountainous which would still imply there would be some mountains to cross. But thanks for your help. It was very beneficial. I should just take a plane
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Heh heh. From what you write, it sounds like you've never been out of DC or looked at a map. :jk:

Seriously, AAA is a great service. Not only do they provide towing (I recommend Premium; one 200 mile tow, and two 100 mile tows, in addition to a dedicated 800 number and a whole host of services), but they can help you plan just such a trip and give you maps too boot!

Daren
 
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Daren,

Let me start off by saying, I lived in Harrisburg, PA for 19 years, Worked in Baltimore for 3, traveled around the east coast a whole bunch.

I now live in Minneapolis (Anoka / Elk River area), and have for the last 3 years. I have done the trip you speak of from Baltimore to Minnapolis, and from Harrisburg to Minneapolis, and from York, PA to Minneapolis. I've done one of these trips with large moving vans.

Once you get into central Ohio, it's perfectly flat until Wisconsin and SE Minnesota. If you want no hills, hit Des Moines and go north.

Your best bet out of DC is to take 70 to Frederick / Hagerstown and on to the PA turnpike. Driving through western MD and WV will suck if you don't want hills. The PA turnpike grades aren't huge, although some times long, but you can shoot across OH/IN/IL pretty quick. It will almost certainly be a 24 hour drive to Minneapolis.

A middle of the trip break is Elkhart / South bend area. There is a really nice Staybridge suites around Elkhart that's not expensive, and super nice......Free drinks in the evening / movie room / library / awesome rooms / free breakfast.


Welcome to MN, although if I could convince you to live somewhere else I would. Our winters suck balls.
 
Dan,

I think you have confused me with the OP. I lived and travelled in the eastern portion of the US for many years and am familiar with the terrain.

I'm sure the OP who is concerned about overtaxing his Beastmobile appreciates your info, however. :tongue1:

Daren
 
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Just take 270 to 70 and get on the PA turnpike. People make that trek every day and do just fine. I am pretty sure you can do it as well.
 
DarenS said:
Dan,

I think you have confused me with the OP. I lived and travelled in the eastern portion of the US for many years and am familiar with the terrain.

I'm sure the OP who is concerned about overtaxing his Beastmobile appreciates your info, however. :tongue1:

Daren
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I did and my bad....apologies.
 
Just wow reading thru this thread just really made me realize how ignorant and mean some people can be. Seriously the handful of ******* remarks in here is mind blowing to say the least you should be ashamed.

The guy asked for help and instead got blasted. you know it all bastards ever stop to think maybe he hasn't tested the limits of the truck? Maybe he isn't comfortable driving in the mountains for the first time while towing. Could be a ton of reasons for it.

If you dont have something nice to say then don't say anything at all

No wonder i love my dogs more then people this just proves it more

Pathetic
 
Code2 said:
Just wow reading thru this thread just really made me realize how ignorant and mean some people can be. Seriously the handful of ******* remarks in here is mind blowing to say the least you should be ashamed.

The guy asked for help and instead got blasted. you know it all bastards ever stop to think maybe he hasn't tested the limits of the truck? Maybe he isn't comfortable driving in the mountains for the first time while towing. Could be a ton of reasons for it.

If you dont have something nice to say then don't say anything at all

No wonder i love my dogs more then people this just proves it more

Pathetic
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You are right. There is no such thing as a stupid question.
 
Code2 said:
Just wow reading thru this thread just really made me realize how ignorant and mean some people can be. Seriously the handful of ******* remarks in here is mind blowing to say the least you should be ashamed.

The guy asked for help and instead got blasted. you know it all bastards ever stop to think maybe he hasn't tested the limits of the truck? Maybe he isn't comfortable driving in the mountains for the first time while towing. Could be a ton of reasons for it.

If you dont have something nice to say then don't say anything at all

No wonder i love my dogs more then people this just proves it more

Pathetic
Click to expand...

Amen to that!

I pretty much quit posting here because somebody called me a fool and slammed my son because I wanted OEM brakes and I paid my son to do the work. I really prefer the people on the Volvo boards. The people on the BMW board are even worse than guys on this board, but in a different way.
 
Code2 said:
Just wow reading thru this thread just really made me realize how ignorant and mean some people can be. Seriously the handful of ******* remarks in here is mind blowing to say the least you should be ashamed.

The guy asked for help and instead got blasted. you know it all bastards ever stop to think maybe he hasn't tested the limits of the truck? Maybe he isn't comfortable driving in the mountains for the first time while towing. Could be a ton of reasons for it.

If you dont have something nice to say then don't say anything at all

No wonder i love my dogs more then people this just proves it more

Pathetic
Click to expand...

Thanks Code2. I was just asking for any useful information as I never drove out that way. I just purchased my 4Runner 1.5 months ago and this was my first time towing anything so I was a little apprehensive about the drive but everything went well with no issues.

I guess I'll never ask a "stupid" question on these boards to get "stupid" responses back.

Anyway Happy 4th to you! :party:
 
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