Whether it's a holiday weekend, family vacation or an impromptu getaway, the roads of Wisconsin are calling! The possibilities for Wisconsin adventures are endless, but you won't be alone in going after your travel dreams. Traffic is bound to be heavy at times, and road construction is just part of life.
To ensure a safe and enjoyable trip, the Wisconsin Department of Tourism suggests motorists include these simple steps in your trip preparation:
Avoid construction surprises: The largest current project is the I-94 North-South Freeway Project. Beginning this year, The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) will improve an important 35-mile stretch of Interstate 94 (I-94) from the Illinois state line to the Mitchell Interchange in Milwaukee. (As with the recently completed Marquette Interchange project, WisDOT is working to minimize the project's impact on travel times, and does not anticipate severe delays.) To stay up to date on this and other construction projects, lane closures and other road conditions, use the WisDOT 511 Wisconsin Travel Info system at
http://www.511wi.gov or by simply calling 511.
Be prepared: Make sure your car is working properly and take care of any scheduled maintenance ahead of time. (Proper tire pressure is important for safety, and can help improve your gas mileage.) Pack an emergency kit, and - if traveling with kids - consider portable entertainment. Check your local public library, as they often have a nice selection of books on tape and DVDs. Also, pack plenty of snacks and water - full tummies and proper hydration make for much happier travelers.
Manage "Are we there yet?" expectations: Keep the trip fun by managing your family's expectations. Thanks to lower gas prices and widespread lodging discounts, car travel is expected to be more popular this year - so roadway congestion may likely increase even without construction. Therefore, it's wise to adjust your expected time of arrival, and the kids' expectations, accordingly.
Choose an alternate route: If heavy traffic is a concern, choose a less-traveled highway. Wisconsin's state and county highways are often efficient and highly scenic options to the interstate system and many GPS systems are now equipped with "Detour" features, making it easy to navigate an alternate route. However, its best to have an "old school" backup plan as well, by doing some pre-planning and bringing along a map.
Seek out local knowledge: Travelers can take advantage of travel information and hotlines offered by local destination marketing organizations throughout Wisconsin. Below is a list of these local travel information resources.
And remember, sometimes the journey is more important than the destination!
When you're on the road, be sure to visit these Tourism travel partners for local travel information, as well as tips on where to go and what to do. We recommend that you call ahead for hours of operation.
Grant County
Platteville Chamber of Commerce275 West Business Hwy 151
608-348-8888
Hudson
Hudson Area Chamber and Tourism Bureau502 2nd Street
800-657-6775
Hurley
Hurley Area Chamber of Commerce316 Silver Street
866-340-4334
Marinette
Marinette Area Chamber of Commerce601 Marinette Avenue
800-236-6681
Prairie du Chien
Prairie du Chien Chamber of Commerce 211 S. Main Street
800-732-1673
Superior
Richard I. Bong WWII Heritage Center305 Harbor View Parkway
800-942-5313
Beloit
Beloit Convention & Visitor Bureau500 Public Avenue
800-423-5648
Janesville
Janesville Convention & Visitor BureauPalmer Park (Palmer and Racine Streets)
800-487-2757
Kenosha
Racine Convention and Visitor Bureau 14015 Washington Ave
800-272-2463
La Crosse
La Crosse Area Convention & Visitor Bureau410 Veterans Memorial Drive
800-658-9424
Onalaska
Onalaska Commerce and Tourism Office1101 Main Street
800-873-1901