Non-congested route - Detroit Lakes, MN to Marquette, MI?

canyonier · July 9, 2017

1. In early August we plan to tow our 30' 5er from San Diego to the Great Lakes area. So far I have us routed to the general area of Detroit Lakes, Minn. From there we want to get to Marquette, Mich. The obvious route is US-2 which goes thru Duluth, Minn and Superior, Wis. Anymore I really dread driving in any kind of congested traffic, especially when towing our 5-th wheel. (Yeah, I know, San Diego and all that ... .)

Is driving thru Duluth & Superior anything to be concerned about, congestion wise? Is there a better route to get from Detroit Lakes area to Marquette? I would rather drive a few more miles if it means less traffic.

2. Earlier in the trip I have us spending 2 nites in West Yellowstone, Mont. It has been many, many years since we have visited Yellowstone and I thought we would maybe spend 1 day in the park. From the standpoint of crowds I know we should wait until around Labor Day to visit the park, but since we'll be in the vicinity anyway, why not? We'll probably be there August 9 or 10. Is this a bad idea?

Thanks,

Glenn

bruce t · July 10, 2017

We've done similar a couple of times. Roads are generally good. But we have always found Duluth a real challenge. Last time there was plenty of road works. It's an old area so roads aren't that great. Road out to Marquette is fine. Pretty country. Although we almost hit a bear crossing the road!

gjhunter01 · July 16, 2017

I have been across the UP Hwy 2 about 10 times in 5 years and twice hit deer, one with minor damage and the second with major front end damage. Avoid dusk or night time driving if possible and don't speed. The biggest issue with Duluth is the hours of boring remote driving to get there and then suddenly 30 minutes of normal city traffic. Duluth traffic/roads are really nothing to be concerned about. The Duluth Trading Company store is an interesting stop in Duluth. We tow our fifth wheel from Mich to Grand Forks, ND during the last 2 Sept's. Search the casino's along US-2, some have FHU's and are free.

Greg

2gypsies · July 16, 2017

From Detroit Lakes, MN to Marquette, MI is 450 miles of good highway. Duluth is no issue. It's not a big city. Take 34/200 to Hill City, MN and pick up Hwy 2. As with any city the best time would be Sunday morning or 6-7 pm and then stop for a close campground so you're not driving at night. Don't try it on a Friday - all roads will be crowded with RVs for the weekend. Sunday is when weekenders leave so that's a good day to get a campground.

pethier · August 1, 2017

There is a nice RV park with resort boats and the like about 30 miles short of Ashland Wisconsin. Was there in 2009 with a big class C towing a 20-foot car hauler as a shakedown for a month-long West Coast trip for the Triumph Vintage Register. The road in and out was curvy and flat. No real challenge even though I had no motorhome experience then.

There was an Ashland city park directly on Lake Superior that looks great, but we could not book in there because the entire park was used for some kind of charity games during the Vintage Car Rendezvous that was the focus of our weekend there.

The Vintage Car Rendezvous was in Ashland agin last year, but we towed with the Suburban and stayed in the convention hotel.

I'm beating the weather on some motorhome work, so reply and I will look up the details later when it is hot/raining.