U.S. Highway 24

[KW]

Is anyone familiar with U.S. 24 that runs across Indian, Illinois, and Missouri? General road repair condition? Motels? Good restaurants along the way? That’s the route I decided on to start our trip out west. We’ll pick it up at Fort Wayne and take all the way to Independence Missouri. Anyone?

[CajunRider]

I don't know about that particular road, but Missouri has some pretty mean "tar snakes" in their roads!!  Be careful on those if you're passing in the summer. 

[RP#62]

I've ridden that road from Huntington IN to Peoria IL, many times, but the last time was in '05.  When we lived in Pittsburgh, that was our preferred way out west.  We'd go US 30 across Ohio to Van Wert, then US 224 to Huntington, then US 24 to Peoria.  Nice road, never a problem finding hotels or restaurants.  There's several interstates that cross US 24 and you can always find hotels and restaurants there.  I was always able to average 50-55, so you'll not make as good of time as the interstate, but I'd take it over the interstate anyday.  Be careful going west though, last time I did, I didn't come back.
-RP

[fudgie]

I live off of 24 a few miles in Indiana. 24 is a great fast road. 3/4 is 4 lane. Easily do 65 mph. You can be across the State in little over 2 hrs. From Ft Wayne to Logansport is 4 lane. Then its 2 lane to Ill. Lot of good cities with hotels. Gas is every 20 miles or less. Honda dealers are scarce, maybe 1, but there are a HD shop or 2. Lotta deer tho. State Troopers are on the road but not alot till you get to US 31.

[Willow]

24 is good road across Missouri.  It's certainly not the shortest or quickest.  I prefer to cross on 36, but then I go into KC area west of Independence.

[Hoser]

If you're going on west, US36 is the best way across Kansas,, bar none,  Lots of small and medium towns, sweeping curves, very well maintained.  US 24 is good too, just not as good as 36. US 40 is I70 most of the way, if you're in a hurry.  Ask Oss about that one. Hoser

[KW]

Thanks guys. I appreciate any advice/comments. We’re only taking 24 to Independence where we’ll be staying with friends for at least a week (I’m really looking forward to riding the Ozarks!!) As of right now, I haven’t mapped it any further west because we’re still not sure where we’re heading after that. My bride has a cousin we like in Durango, CO, so most likely we’ll head that way, across Kansas. If we get that far, we’ll skip across the boarder into Arizona for sure. And, I’m pretty much set on taking the ‘northern route’ home, up through Nebraska, into South Dakota, then Minnesota & Wisconsin, and finally though the Upper Peninsula and home. The ‘departure date’ isn’t firm yet, but we’re thinking it’s going to be AFTER Inzane.

[Bobbo]

I’ve ridden the Western part of 24 in MO many times.  It’s a good road, not much traffic, and fairly scenic.  I recommend you take Hwy 5 South just past Salisbury MO and visit Arrow Rock and Blackwater.  They are historic sites that are interesting to visit.

If you go to Blackwater, make sure you visit the “Pie Lady” for some great homemade pie.

http://www.arrowrock.org/

[tbone]

If that is the route running from Peoria to Quincy Il then I will be able to give details after this weekend. Gota run that direction. Tbone