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Drive This, Not That: I-80 Chicago/Cleveland

Beaches, Great Lakes lighthouses, and classic American diners.

  • 2
  • 02:37
  • 119 mi
  • $18
Take This Trip

Created by roadtripper800410 - October 14th 2022

Chicago to Cleveland. Cleveland to Chicago. Either direction, it’s normally one of the most uninspired routes in the Midwest, where you expect to find just miles and miles along I-80/I-90. There’s no hills and no frills. But, good news, folks! It doesn’t have to be so dull. If you have some extra time you can discover beaches, lighthouses, classic American diners and loads just off the status-quo route with this much-less-terrible route…

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via detour

38mi 00h 45m
Photo of Marblehead Lighthouse
4.5

Oh 163, Marblehead, OH, US

Marblehead Lighthouse

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Marblehead Lighthouse is a lot like the Dunes Option, only, as you guessed, it hugs Lake Erie instead of Lake Michigan. Stop for your pretty picture to prove to your friends how much you like the road less traveled. Like the Dunes option, you’ll add just a few extra miles but at least an hour or two to your drive.

via detour

24mi 00h 37m

After the lighthouse, it's not far to your final destination: Cleveland! From the Aloft Cleveland to the Metropolitan at The 9, there are loads of great hotels in Cleveland. The city has some cool attractions, too: from the Westside Market to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, there's plenty to do here. And if you get hungry, nosh on B Spot Burgers and beer from Great Lakes Brewing!

You can either drive along two different Great Lake shores, stopping at the Dunes on Lake Michigan and the Marblehead Lighthouse along the Lake Erie Coastal Trail or you can drive through a cornfield for 5 hours. Choice is yours, but don't be a dummy.. Take the scenic route. Along with the scenery you’ll get a chance to check out some great automotive and military aviation museums and eat some old fashioned American diner food and try some tasty local brews.