Trip Tips

I am planning on driving to Cedar Point for the first time. I have my license and I have been driving for a while. I am probably taking 3 other friends too. Could you guys give any advice for a guy who has never driven their alone?

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You are the Weakest Link, Goodbye.

I assume (from your profile) that you are driving down from the Detroit Area.

I've found the best way to get there is to take I-75 south to 280 (exit to the left as you hit Toledo). From 280, you cross over the drawbridge, and just a little further from that is the Route 2 exit (Oregon). Turn left (east) and follow Route 2. You have two options to get to CP from Route 2. I generally take the Route 6 exit which kinda winds through Sandusky. It might be easier for you to continue on Route 2 until you hit 250, which is more of a straight shot north to CP.

Some people prefer to go further south on 280 and take the turnpike east to 250, but I like taking Route 2. It's a 2-lane road until you get past the nuclear power plant, but then turns into a 2 lane highway.

It generally takes me about 2 hours from Plymouth.

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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead

I'll second that - Route 2 is much better than taking I-80 (the tollway).

And I'd recommend taking it to 250, as it is a much more direct roue like OldCPer said. It's also a lot easier to find your way back that way after the park closes.

Actually, there's 5 exits you can use and still get to CP pretty easy. But I'd have to agree, a first timer, take the 250 exit.

If for some reason you DO end up taking the turnpike, it's exit 118.

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June 11th, 2001 - Gemini 100
VertiGo Rides - 82 Farewell my good friend..
S&S WILL rise again....

I prefer taking the turnpike to exit 125/6A (Rt. 4). Head north a few miles and get on Rt. 2. I get off on Rye Beach Rd. which is one exit past the 250 exit. I then take a residential Rd. (Not sure of the name) which is kind of the back way into CP. I also go home this way. I find that the "back way" in has almost no traffic, and only one stop light, a big plus to a young driver. It is also a more senic route in my opinion.

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-Chris Woodard
"Mean Streak would be better if they replaced the square wheels with round ones."
VertiGo: VertiGone but not forgotten.
*** This post was edited by Ralph Wiggum 4/29/2002 9:39:02 PM ***

That road is the Chaussee, also known as Cedar Point Road.
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June 11th, 2001 - Gemini 100
VertiGo Rides - 82 Farewell my good friend..
S&S WILL rise again....

I am kind of nervous about it too because this will be my first road trip type thing. I picked May 22nd because the park will be empty and also, the park closes at 8 so I won't be sleepy when I am driving.

As far as direction, when I would go with my mom or cousin, they would always take the turnpike, is that the best way or is what everyone else saying better?

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You are the Weakest Link, Goodbye.

My advice would be to plan out your route before you go. Whichever way you pick, 2, Turnpike, etc. Have a nice map and a route to follow. Familiarize yourself with it before you go. Nothing is more unerving (at least when I was first driving) then not knowing where you were going. Knowing exactly where you're going allows you to concentrate strictly on driving and not on finding your way.

-Matt
2001 Magnum Crew

I would also say 250 exit. Although as you said, there's 101, 4, Rye Beach,(thats way past, when ceoming from Detroit, I know) :) Also Rt. 2 is the way to go, especially if you just got your license. If you are looking for some place to eat, and you don't have a lot of $$ or you are cheap like me, get off (on the way back) at the second exit after the Sandusky Bay Bridge, (Rt. 53) and head south, to Bassetts IGA, THEY HAVE EVERYTHING YOU COULD EVER WANT!!!! Also there's a Taco Bell, and a Mc.D.'s there too. Anyways, have a good trip, if you really wanted to (lol) stop by my house, right on Bayshore road, (last exit before bridge going to CP) 6440 E. Bayshore Road, will probably be home, if it's Friday or Saturday, BUT NOT SUNDAY!!!

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"Welcome To Alaska"!!
ME AND YOU DT IN 2002!!! Another DT mini-marathon on a day I get Bored!!!

One of the reasons I like route 2 is because Oregon is halfway between CP and Detroit. We always stopped in Oregon at the McDonald's both on the way and back for a pit stop and coffee. Doesn't require "exiting" at all.
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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead

I would recommend that you take the Turnpike for two reasons. First, since this is your first trip as a driver, the Turnpike route is something you are familiar with as a passenger. So, I would imagine it would be easier for you as a driver, since you've been on the route before. Second, the Turnpike is very easy, safe driving. No two lane stuff to worry about. Have fun on your trip, I'm sure you'll do fine!

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It's very hard to drink all day...
Unless you start first thing in the morning.

I prefer the tollway over route 2 myself. I've gotten caught behind slow moving vehicles too many times on route 2.

I just drove down for the first time from the Detroit area, and I took Route 2 because that's the way we've always taken and I was familiar with it. Since you are familiar with the turnpike I would say take that your first time - Route 2 is a little faster but it can be a little confusing if you've never done it before. And like MDOmnis said, plan out the whole drive, know the directions without having to look at anything.

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Break the scream barrier in 2002!
Wicked twists: 0
VertiGo: (2001-2002) R.I.P.

Personally, every time I've ever taken turnpike, I have gotten caught in construction. The number of times I've gotten caught behind a slow moving vehicle on Route 2 is much lower than the times I've gotten caught in slow moving traffic on the turnpike through construction.

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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead

Also.. last time I got off exit 118 on teh turnpike.. A few miles of 250 were tore up. That was a few months ago.. not sure if they have it fixed yet but it looked to be a pretty big job so it may still be going on.

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June 11th, 2001 - Gemini 100
VertiGo Rides - 82 Farewell my good friend..
S&S WILL rise again....

It still is messed up. We came up through there last week. I hear it's pretty much going to be that way though the summer, too. I'm not ODOT, though, so don't quote me on that.

It wasn't bad last week. Of course, I wasn't battling 20,000 tourists :)

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Virtual Midway
http://www.virtualmidway.com

I'll have to recommend the turnpike to exit 6A (SR-4). Turn right on 2, and the go north on 250. It'll be the easiest; there's signs directing you the whole way.

And I'm convinced you'll make much better time on the turnpike. Set the cruise and go!

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Without upstops, airtime would have a whole new meaning!
*** This post was edited by Chaindog 4/30/2002 7:47:13 PM ***

Watch the cops on the turnpike. They don't like our MI plates.

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Steve Sergent
MF count: 162

I will remember to buy a plate that says BucK-I, that way they won't mess with me

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You are the Weakest Link, Goodbye.

I take the turnpike because I also always get stuck behind a truck or some old lady on Rt. 2. I come from Toledo, and construction wasn't a factor. Out of my 17 trips last year, there was only one time that construction even disrupted the flow of traffic, and that was on the way home.

I'd say to just take whatever route you're most familiar with, you don't want to get lost and end up at SFWOA :)

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-Chris Woodard
"Mean Streak would be better if they replaced the square wheels with round ones."
VertiGo: VertiGone but not forgotten.

*** This post was edited by Ralph Wiggum 5/1/2002 8:30:36 PM ***