Tourist to USA - driving in December: NYC -> Niagra Falls -> Lake Michigan?

[G30M]

I'm from the deep south of New Zealand, winter temp -10 C to 10 C, averaging 0 before global warming, now it seems to be averaging 6C !

We spend a lot of time on ski fields, worst I've had was caught in a blizzard in ski field at -16C and that was no place to be outside with 60mph+ winds. Back in the day when they didn't shut ski fields at any cost!

I'm no longer planning to drive cross state! FLy and hire locally.

yes I have planned all along to bring ski level clothing including snow boots.

Thanks guys

Shortlisted Washington, Boston, Buffalo ...

[G30M]

the remaining question is do i take up my friend's offer to be driven > 5hrs from somewhere near Boyne City to Chicago ... if i can predict bad weather, NO!

is the main road ?highway between those 2 places wide and well maintained?

[chassis]

Originally Posted by G99M5

the remaining question is do i take up my friend's offer to be driven > 5hrs from somewhere near Boyne City to Chicago ... if i can predict bad weather, NO!

is the main road ?highway between those 2 places wide and well maintained?

Boyne is near US Highway 131, a “motorway” in international parlance. It is wide. Surface (paving) maintenance is questionable, no different than any other motorway in any part of the US. Snow maintenance is average. Plows will be active near the start of a snowfall. Salt will be applied to the road by the plow trucks. There is little or no advance treatment of roads, as is the current practice in, for example, Pennsylvania or New Jersey.

From Boyne to Grand Rapids, Michigan (approx 3 hours) is a snow-likely region. Unpredictable, but could interfere with your travel.

[Alfisti]

OK he's fine, NZ south island is fucking freezing.

[G30M]

thanks for that

[Alfisti]

bTW I would be a little more tempted to drive than fly short distances because that time of year, with Chicago being the local hub airport, expect serious delays if the weather turns. If it's really bad and you're driving you can always pull over and rest, better than being stuck in a US airport.

[G30M]

noted

[bvrider1]

I am from West Michigan (Grand Rapids Area). The winter drive can be hit or miss and depending what you plan on doing in Chicago the traffic can be difficult. From Boyne down to Chicago , you will have no issue as long as there is not a winter storm happening.

A tip if you want to avoid traffic:
I would drive down to New Buffalo and jump on a train if I wanted to visit Downtown Chicago. It's a bit slower but 100% stress free.

Best of luck on your travels.

[G30M]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

OK he's fine, NZ south island is fucking freezing.

this must be tongue in cheek!

our transport ministry has essentially blacklisted winter tyres

you can't buy winter tires locally!

we drive on summer tires, and carry chains!

unfortunately when it's icy cars just crash ...

i bought some winter tires once from japan ... till today had not had the chance to use it where i live (coastal deep south). drive on summer tires up the ski fields would you believe it.

the last time i ploughed the snow in my coastal town was 2014. i don't know how i didn't crash. 2 day old 1-2 feet deep worth of snow, ploughed it on the hilly suburbia for 72 hrs with my Subaru WRX (not STI) on cheap chinese summer tires (Achilles ATR Sport!). was still very immature back then ...

[G30M]

Originally Posted by bvrider1

I am from West Michigan (Grand Rapids Area). The winter drive can be hit or miss and depending what you plan on doing in Chicago the traffic can be difficult. From Boyne down to Chicago , you will have no issue as long as there is not a winter storm happening.

A tip if you want to avoid traffic:
I would drive down to New Buffalo and jump on a train if I wanted to visit Downtown Chicago. It's a bit slower but 100% stress free.

Best of luck on your travels.

will do. once i make it to our friends i will hand over the worries to our friends. make sure we allow extra days to get to Chicago for the 17 hr flight ..... *GLUP

[G30M]

looks like domestic flights are all about the same price -

which of the big domestic airlines have the best customer service, followed by reliability?

(Delta, AA, United)

hmm, are there any other airlines? (NY - Washington - Boston - Buffalo)

thanks

[chassis]

Customer service and reliability are not normally used in the same sentence with U.S. airlines.

I just flew Delta to Europe and back. On time in both directions. Service was OK. Same with my family’s other two flights to/from Europe on United. In my opinion, international flights are more reliable than domestic.

I think there is no meaningful difference between airlines regarding domestic flights. Airports on the other hand can have different levels of reliability. Again, weather can be a non-issue in the Midwest during winter. Or it can tangle flight schedules in the entire eastern third of the country. It’s unpredictable in winter.

Reliability (opinion based on lots of international and domestic travel):
Detroit - average
Grand Rapids - above average but limited flight availability
South Bend - above average but limited flight availability
Ohare - below average
Newark (if you are in NYC) - average
La Guardia - below average

[Alfisti]

Yeah strap yourself in, US airlines are greyhound busses with wings. Delta maybe slightly ahead for service etc but i'd go with the biggest network in your flying area to try and avid delays.

And south island NZ is freezing if you're from Sydney but yeah Toronto has you licked.

[Mavus]

about time for some pics … it may be either one of these and anything in between

[G30M]

how much time do we need to get through check-in + security + etc for domestic flights in

JFK NY
the ones in Washington DC - looking like Reagon so far
Boston Logan

[Alfisti]

1 hr for domestic, make it 90 mins to be safe because everywhere is CHRONICALLY under staffed.

[Theruleslawyer]

Originally Posted by G99M5

I'm no longer planning to drive cross state! FLy and hire locally.

yes I have planned all along to bring ski level clothing including snow boots.

Thanks guys

Shortlisted Washington, Boston, Buffalo ...

FWIW for the short distances in the NE flying everywhere may not be desirable. Getting to the airport and dealing with security theatre can consume extensive amounts of time. The NE actually has a pretty good rail network compared to the rest of the US and city center to city center you might not save much time flying and trains will be nicer. Once you're ready to head out from the NE corridor flying will make a lot more sense.

There are always busses, but most are kinda gross. There are a few luxury bus lines that sound interesting, but I've never done. https://www.smartertravel.com/luxury...ead-of-amtrak/

I'd probably try NYC, buffalo, niagra, and boston by train. Compare DC a bit closer and fly to meet your friends in Michigan.

[G30M]

Thanks. I think I was put off by the Amtrak negative reviews, though the positive ones outweigh the negative.

I am actually very afraid of the security theatre!

[Theruleslawyer]

Originally Posted by G99M5

Thanks. I think I was put off by the Amtrak negative reviews, though the positive ones outweigh the negative.

I am actually very afraid of the security theatre!

I mean Amtrak isn't great but I don't think you'll find much positive attitude towards airlines either.

• Pay for a cab and ride time to the airport
• Have to arrive hours early to check in, security, etc.
• All sorts of fees for luggage, etc
• Packed in like sardines
• Wait for luggage
• Another cab ride back to the city center.

vs

• Local transit or maybe even walk to central station
• Arrive just in time to get one
• get a seat the size of a business class on the plane
• Maybe see some cool scenery?
• Walk right off
• Maybe be right where you are staying

Pick your poison.

[chassis]

Originally Posted by G99M5

how much time do we need to get through check-in + security + etc for domestic flights in

JFK NY
the ones in Washington DC - looking like Reagon so far
Boston Logan

I take the conservative route with this.

Arrive at security 2 hours before departure. This gives you more than enough time almost 100% of the time, combined with peace of mind and a lower stress experience. The “extra” time committed is only approx 1 hour, not much in the grand scheme of things.

[G30M]

Originally Posted by Theruleslawyer

I mean Amtrak isn't great but I don't think you'll find much positive attitude towards airlines either.

• Pay for a cab and ride time to the airport
• Have to arrive hours early to check in, security, etc.
• All sorts of fees for luggage, etc
• Packed in like sardines
• Wait for luggage
• Another cab ride back to the city center.

vs

• Local transit or maybe even walk to central station
• Arrive just in time to get one
• get a seat the size of a business class on the plane
• Maybe see some cool scenery?
• Walk right off
• Maybe be right where you are staying

Pick your poison.

Thanks. We will be starting in the city center so, you guys make a very point.

[Housekeeping]

A wk in nyc is looooong. Niagara Falls is so awful and depressing in fall/winter. Spend all your time in MI, greatest state there is.