CHAT Driving to Colorado from NJ, Advice

Macgyver

Has No Life - Lives on TB
So vacation plans are getting changed. Were driving to Colorado.
Have our destination in Grand lake already.
Were leaving here on a Friday afternoon. I need a safe/quite place for a hotel on the east half of Ohio on the RT80/90 corridor.
I've been to Ohio once before. I recall Youngstown and Cleveland to be dumps but I might have the towns confused though.
Anyone know a good town to stop in to spend a night? Preferable something that has either a Marriott or Hilton chain property so we can stay for free on points.

Our next stop was going to be York Nebraska.
I've got this spot from someone else but if anyone has objections I'm all ears.

3rd question involves a fire arm.
Want to bring something for the drive. I don't have any carry permits so I'm fine with the gun unloaded in a case type deal.
I can't remember that website that shows all the firearm laws in all the states, if someone has that before I find it on google that would be a help.

I know I'm good in PA, But I need to look up the rest. I'm assuming Illinois is only one I'm guessing is going to be picky. But I go have no intention of stopping there.
I've got no problem bringing something with 10 cap magazine if I need to.
 

hammerhead

Veteran Member
Try the Cambridge, OH, area for a stop.

FWIW, I've made the drive between NJ and CO numerous times. Sometimes 80; sometimes 70.
 

Macgyver

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Try the Cambridge, OH, area for a stop.

FWIW, I've made the drive between NJ and CO numerous times. Sometimes 80; sometimes 70.
That's about 2 hours off the rt 80/90 route.
I could cross pa farther to the South but I think it's going to add 2 hours to the drive either way.
 

Namsgrls

Veteran Member
In Ohio try the North Olmsted or Avon area. Both are close to either 90 or the Ohio turnpike. They are a tad west of Cleveland and are both nice areas. I live in that area and wouldn’t hesitate to stay in either town if traveling. Have a great trip!
 

Broken Arrow

Heathen Pagan Witch
Nope. I don't know a lot about Colorado but would not be on my list of places to live.

Good idea not to live there. Its going the way of California in a hurry. We moved out of the state last year because of that. Denver/Boulder voters control the entire state, rural voters are beat every time. Gov Polis is a complete asshole and is doing everything he can to do away with oil and agriculture in the state, which is the biggest producers of tax revenue. They are attacking the 2nd amendment on every front, from magazine bans, to red flag law.
 

Ogre

Veteran Member
Handgunlaw.us
And I think in Illinois you have to separate the ammo from the gun and store separately.
 

WalknTrot

Veteran Member
Be prepared for unexpected whackiness. Anywhere.
Events and people are going Wild West with no rhyme, reason or legal jurisdiction.

Even in the Heartland, there are transported loons in the form of tourists and Californians.
 

mbabulldog

Inactive
re: a firearm, in Colorado your vehicle is considered an extension of the home, and you can have a loaded weapon in either, on your person, concealed if you wish. Open carry outside the vehicle varies by local municipality, I generally warn against it, we're getting too full of progressives who get twisted by the sight of firearms.

Be warned, we are FULL of tourists right now, so plan for extra long lines for EVERYTHING....We just went back to a "mask while in public at all times" state-wide edict.
 

Old Greek

Veteran Member
Have fun - Grand Lake is a neat town. If you are driving trail Ridge road through Rocky Mountain Park and returning to Grand Lake consider driving the old Fall River Road. One way up from the Estes Park side of the park. You end up at visitor center at top. Dirt rode, again, one way up, no trailers. If scared of heights, do not drive it! My sister lives 8000 feet up on a mountain not far from Estes Park.
 

Squid

Veteran Member
Consider Cuyahoga Falls, near Akron there is a Sheraton Suites next to small rivers with rock water falls if you are on the water side a little different from normal highway stop. Might be a little pricey but different.

Might consider west of Cleveland Sandusky Ohio right on Lake Erie lots of tourist and theme park but maybe a little quieter as people stay home. Should have a couple hotels in the chain your looking for.
 

hammerhead

Veteran Member
So, Grand Lake. On the Western Slope side of RMNP, check out the Colorado River trailhead. With a very modest walk, you can wade across the Colorado River near its headwaters. Also, that area is pretty good for seeing moose.

Also in RMNP, the Ute Trail, an old path prehistoric Indians used to cross the Divide to get to hunting, departs from the edge of the parking lot up at the Alpine Visitor Center. It's at about 12k feet, but -- and this is why I'm mentioning it -- the first 2-3 miles are fairly level and the scenery is spectacular. And with 2 cars and a bit of staging, you can walk the 4 miles downhill from the Visitors Center down to Milner Pass, and not have to walk back up.

Have a great vacation!
 

Fly Girl

Veteran Member
In Ohio try the North Olmsted or Avon area. Both are close to either 90 or the Ohio turnpike. They are a tad west of Cleveland and are both nice areas. I live in that area and wouldn’t hesitate to stay in either town if traveling. Have a great trip!

Westlake, Crocker Park area, holiday inn, Hyatt Place, Hampton inn. It is right off 90. Or strongsville is right off turnpike with same type hotels. Cambridge Is way south of Cleveland like 2 hours. Although if going to take 70 into Colorado, the junction of 70 and Rt 77 has Hampton inn, I’ve stayed there and its in a good stop off area. Safe travels! PM me for more info.
 

teedee

Veteran Member
I believe that now in Illinois you can carry in your car but not out of it. That came about when the courts forced Illinois to allow concealed carry for the residents.
 

Macgyver

Has No Life - Lives on TB
So, Grand Lake. On the Western Slope side of RMNP, check out the Colorado River trailhead. With a very modest walk, you can wade across the Colorado River near its headwaters. Also, that area is pretty good for seeing moose.

Also in RMNP, the Ute Trail, an old path prehistoric Indians used to cross the Divide to get to hunting, departs from the edge of the parking lot up at the Alpine Visitor Center. It's at about 12k feet, but -- and this is why I'm mentioning it -- the first 2-3 miles are fairly level and the scenery is spectacular. And with 2 cars and a bit of staging, you can walk the 4 miles downhill from the Visitors Center down to Milner Pass, and not have to walk back up.

Have a great vacation!
Did the Colorado River trial head yesterday.
Did the contintal divide trail today up to the meadow.
We drove up to the Alpine visitor center yesterday. No hiking up that altitude for us, way to high would probably kill us since we live at 3-400'.
 

TKO

Veteran Member
Good idea not to live there. Its going the way of California in a hurry. We moved out of the state last year because of that. Denver/Boulder voters control the entire state, rural voters are beat every time. Gov Polis is a complete asshole and is doing everything he can to do away with oil and agriculture in the state, which is the biggest producers of tax revenue. They are attacking the 2nd amendment on every front, from magazine bans, to red flag law.
Glad we left Colorado, too. Even back then, Californicators were taking over. I'd call Castle Rock, Boulder, and Golden just California East areas. Boulder is the worst.
 
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