Driving from Chicago to Kalamazoo in December

The roads should be fine, unless you hit a freak December storm. Most of our snow comes after New Years and the road from Ohare to Kalamazoo is all highway.

Crikey, that was quick - thanks. I think I will drive then. Like many Europeans, I've already been red faced by the mysteries of American driving in Florida, so gas pumps that don't start pumping until you fiddle with some bizarre switch arrangement won't cause me to be the object of ridicule ever again!!

Hang in there db. Soon you'll be driving on the right side of the road in no time. But I think you should have a Plan B just in case.

dancingbrogues - the distances from city to city are not what you're used to in the U.K. If you're thinking of driving to Kalamazoo - do it from the closest major airport.

Driving in and around Chicago is much more challenging than in the Detroit area (I've done both a few times in the last couple of years - huuuge difference - even on the highways - Chicago's a bear if you're not used to their roads, and their style of driving).

How much time do you think you'd add if you were going to consider travelling to the Niagara region? You need to be cautious of the lake effect snows if you're heading toward that area (even in December), and add time to your trip to allow for that.

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to have a week after work is over to explore some of the region. Sadly I don't think it's too wise to drive up to the UP for a pasty, but you never know.

If you're flying into Ohare, dancingbrogues, you won't need to go into the city at all. The entrance ramp to I-294 South is at Ohare and will take you straight to Indiana and on towards Michigan and Kalamazoo. I doubt you'll be flying into Midway on an international flight. Getting out of Chicago from Ohare is very straightforward.

Thanks for all the replies, I've now booked a rental car from O'Hare and will keep an eye on the weather. I've abandoned all ambitions of doing much touring but there's plenty to do in Chicago after all.