<p>We made all reservations. Fly into Indianapolis, rent a SUV, drive to Ann Arbor, stay 2 nights, drive back to West LaFayette, stay 1 night, fly back to Houston.
And now I am worried reading the weather about the Lake effect snow.
When it says snow and icy roads, do you drive or do you postpone it ?
From Indianapolis, I plan to take I-69 then I-94 to Ann Arbor.
On the way back, should I stay on the same route or should I take I-94 thru Chicago and I-65 to West LaFayette? Thanks.</p>
<p>We are visiting Feb 7-9 and really looking forward to it. Nervous about driving from Detroit in icy conditions.</p>
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<p>It depends. How bad are the roads and how bad do you need to get where you’re going? If you’re in East Lansing and we just lost to Moo in basketball or hockey, you gotta get out no matter how bad it is. If there is a foot of snow and you can wait, then wait until they clear the road. If you travel in a storm, the highway speeds are going to be cut approximately in half.</p>
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<p>Usually the best route is to take I-94 West to I-65. However, the lakefront snow band usually hits between Battle Creek and Michigan City so if there is lake snow it may be better to head South on I-69.</p>
<p>Enjoy you’re trip.</p>
<p>I would definitely recommend having a car, especially if you are not from around there. If you are staying at the University, they have two bus systems (one inter-campus, one around the area) but it’s not really sufficient if you are trying to get to know the area and atmosphere; plus, it’s brutal cold in February.</p>
<p>res ipsa,
I got you, we will try to stay away from East Lansing. 
Thanks.</p>
<p>When it is snowing, stay away from I-94 between St. Joseph/Benton Harbor and Gary, IN. That stretch of road becomes absolutely treacherous, what with the wind and the snow off Lake Michigan.</p>
<p>Anybody ever taken the train from Chicago to Ann Arbor? Is it usually on time and easy to get to campus?</p>
<p>“Anybody ever taken the train from Chicago to Ann Arbor? Is it usually on time and easy to get to campus?”</p>
<p>Almost never and you’ll need to get a cab/car/bus (rte. 17) when you arrive. It isn’t that far, but it is uphill and about a mile to campus.</p>
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Would it be better to take I-94 to Marshall, I-69 to Angola, then I-80/ I-90 to Gary instead?</p>
<p>^^^Not really, you still have to go though the snowbelt that usually extends from the South Bend area all the way to Gary. It all depends on the winds and weather conditions of course.</p>
<p>The train from Chicago to Ann Arbor often runs late but it is a convenient way to get to Ann Arbor from Chicago. It is easy to get to campus but as rjk suggests you will probably want to take a cab. It’s not a bad walk if the weather is decent and you don’t have a lot of stuff.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for the input to this decision.</p>
<p>We will make our visit this weekend and I wonder if the weather is ok for driving.
We fly into Indianapolis at 2pm this Friday, 2/15. Rent and SUV and drive to Ann Arbor. We will drive back to West Lafayette on Sun, 2/17.</p>
<p>Do you drive if it snows? What if the forecast says icy or snow covered roads?
Sorry if I sound paranoid, we are from Texas and we have no experience in the snow.</p>
<p>Is there something you’re doing in Indianapolis? Eg. another college visit? If not, can you change your flight to go straight to Detroit Metro? Have you ever driven in snow at all?</p>
<p>Weather is hard to predict. I personally would not want to make the drive from Indie to Ann Arbor if conditions were touchy – IF I didn’t have any snow driving experience (and even sometimes with snow experience ;). The forecasts aren’t terribly accurate this far out, but it will be in the 20s with some chance of precipitation, by the looks of it. While the interstates are usually kept clear, changing conditions, visibility, and fresh snow are to my mind a pita.</p>
<p>We are visiting Purdue on the same trip.</p>
<p>Various weather websites have slightly different forecast for Fri 15th when we drive. Maybe snow, Hi in low 30s, Lo in teen or low 20s. Should I drive or not if I start from Indianapolis around 2 PM +?</p>
<p>Too early to tell to be sure but I don’t think they are predicting any serious snow this weekend. If it does snow, then it may take longer. If it snows a lot, then you may want to wait for them to clear it. I would just stick to your plans for now.</p>
<p>Unless there is a blizzard, which is not on the radar at this time, driving should not be a problem in a SUV even for the inexperienced snow-driver. If you are not sure, stay to the right and go slow! Honestly, being in a SUV will make a big difference with the weather, in my born-and-raised Michigander opinion. But then again . . . my daughter is opting for Alabama over UM in the fall! Good Luck!!</p>
<p>If it snows, when do they attempt to clear the roads ? If I delay the trip, it maybe late until I get into Ann Arbor, is it advisable to drive at night?</p>
<p>Fire123 - Understand your concerns/checked weather.com for Indy, Ft.Wayne, Marshall MI & Ann Arbor: I think you’ll be fine - all precipitation will be done Thurs night, so by Friday 2pm roads should be clear & maybe even dried out from traffic. Stick to I-69 North through Marshall, then I-94 into Ann arbor. I’ve made that trip a few times. Not as dull as San Antonio-to-Pecos, but close (ha ha). Watch your speed through Jackson, MI (speed traps). With temps over 40 Wed & Thurs, there probably won’t even be snow on the ground. Have a great trip, break a leg, and Go Blue!</p>
<p>Please remember - driving an SUV does not make you “bullet-proof.” Be sure to drive to the conditions. If it’s snowing, slow down a bit. Let the idiots go past you. Just drive at a comfortable speed.</p>