Woodward Dream Cruise

[R68GTO]

Anyone from the site going this weekend? For those that have gone before, any tips on best places to hang out?

[GM Powertrain]

I'll be there in one of mine. Have attended in some form since it's inception in '95. The most action happens between 13 and 15 Mile Road.

[scuncio]

I'll be there Saturday.

[69PostSSChevelle]

I'll be there between 12 and 13 mile.

[bashton]

OK...you asked so here is my rant and warning:

OK, so this is a bit of a rant, so bear with me...

If any of my friends or associates are coming into the Detroit area for the Woodward Cruise and related activities, allow me to offer up some advice. Make sure you have good tires, an easily accessible working jack and at least one spare tire, especially if you are trailering a car. Our roads are an absolute mine-field disaster. Also make sure your AAA, Hagerty Club or whatever road service you have is alive and well.

Over the past year I have driven in nearly 20 different states. There is no state that has roads even remotely as bad as Michigan. This past weekend I drove to/from Ohio on I75 and it was so bad, I finally got off on Southfield Road to bypass even more "construction." What should be a simple 4 hour 240 mile trip was great until I hit Michigan, which added nearly 2 extra hours and that was not due to the traffic as it was after 9 pm Sunday.

Coming in/out of Indiana, as I travel to IL and WI on a regular basis, I94 is nearly as bad, and much is "under construction" which has literally been going on for years. The roads that are "fresh and new" are like driving over a buckboard. In fact, a 20+ mile section about 6 miles into the state are so bad on the right lane I have to drive in the left lane and pull over when cars come up behind me.

As an FYI, I was not driving the Hornet, the CRX or anything else that would lend itself to a rough ride. I was in fact, in Laura's Escalade towing my 18' car trailer. On my IN/IL/WI trips, I am usually in one of our newer Mini-Vans.

Consider this a simple "heads-up" as a flat, or blasted out suspension parts or other issues caused by this can certainly ruin what should be a fun-filled week.

Now, as far as the actual event, the days to be out there for us "real" car freaks is during the week. If you don't have a pre-set place to park, it is near impossible to find a good spot, due to the myriad of Mini-Vans, new cars and drunken idiots yelling for you to do burn-outs. Also, get out before it gets dark, as the local police literally close Woodward in all the communities and there is a mass of unorganized chaos to get anywhere.

With that being said, there are always a ton of great cars along with every late model Camaro, Mustang, Challenger and SUV ever built and it is a real freak show for people watching...lots of fun indeed.

Thanks and best of luck to everyone...hope to see you out there!

[Keith Seymore]

OK...you asked so here is my rant and warning:

OK, so this is a bit of a rant, so bear with me...

If any of my friends or associates are coming into the Detroit area for the Woodward Cruise and related activities, allow me to offer up some advice. Make sure you have good tires, an easily accessible working jack and at least one spare tire, especially if you are trailering a car. Our roads are an absolute mine-field disaster. Also make sure your AAA, Hagerty Club or whatever road service you have is alive and well.

Over the past year I have driven in nearly 20 different states. There is no state that has roads even remotely as bad as Michigan. This past weekend I drove to/from Ohio on I75 and it was so bad, I finally got off on Southfield Road to bypass even more "construction." What should be a simple 4 hour 240 mile trip was great until I hit Michigan, which added nearly 2 extra hours and that was not due to the traffic as it was after 9 pm Sunday.

Coming in/out of Indiana, as I travel to IL and WI on a regular basis, I94 is nearly as bad, and much is "under construction" which has literally been going on for years. The roads that are "fresh and new" are like driving over a buckboard. In fact, a 20+ mile section about 6 miles into the state are so bad on the right lane I have to drive in the left lane and pull over when cars come up behind me.

As an FYI, I was not driving the Hornet, the CRX or anything else that would lend itself to a rough ride. I was in fact, in Laura's Escalade towing my 18' car trailer. On my IN/IL/WI trips, I am usually in one of our newer Mini-Vans.

Consider this a simple "heads-up" as a flat, or blasted out suspension parts or other issues caused by this can certainly ruin what should be a fun-filled week.

Now, as far as the actual event, the days to be out there for us "real" car freaks is during the week. If you don't have a pre-set place to park, it is near impossible to find a good spot, due to the myriad of Mini-Vans, new cars and drunken idiots yelling for you to do burn-outs. Also, get out before it gets dark, as the local police literally close Woodward in all the communities and there is a mass of unorganized chaos to get anywhere.

With that being said, there are always a ton of great cars along with every late model Camaro, Mustang, Challenger and SUV ever built and it is a real freak show for people watching...lots of fun indeed.

Thanks and best of luck to everyone...hope to see you out there!

This is true. Basically you can tell when you hit the state line because the ride instantly becomes rougher, especially when pulling a trailer.

I carry two spares in my Haulmark, by the way.

K

[Keith Seymore]

Anyone from the site going this weekend? For those that have gone before, any tips on best places to hang out?

I'll be out each weeknight, and early Saturday.

I don't stop. I keep going round and round until it gets too hot to continue.

K

[Mr70]

Always a good time.
Looking forward to making some Michigan Lefts.

[oldstv]

I had 4 tires go boom on my trailer "all in Michigan" The trailer is aluminum, the tires were less than two years old and the car was a 67 Chevy II. I was so glad to get out of that state!!

[1971ls6]

Park on the west side of Woodward to keep the sun out of your eyes, trust me

[olredalert]

----I'll be at the M1 for thier Corvette deal on Friday. Can't make it Saturday because of boat stuff (a lot less crowded)!....Bill S

[bashton]

----I'll be at the M1 for thier Corvette deal on Friday. Can't make it Saturday because of boat stuff (a lot less crowded)!....Bill S

I hear ya on that! lol

Bashton

[R68GTO]

Thanks for all the replies. My brother is taking his Day 2 71 Camaro up to take part in the cruise. We'll get there mid-afternoon Friday and stay thru Saturday. Weather forecast looks awesome!

[RamAirBirds]

Bob has it explained well. Lived here all my life. Grew up at 13 mile and Woodward.
Saturday is not for the faint of heart especially with a nice car...
The Roads.....worse then ever....Nobody did ever "Fix the Damn Roads" but instead as we all know in Michigan the FIX IS IN......Just not the Roads...
Thanks Bob for putting this out there....I-75 is a mess....
Ross

[67since67]

Bob has it explained well. Lived here all my life. Grew up at 13 mile and Woodward.
Saturday is not for the faint of heart especially with a nice car...
The Roads.....worse then ever....Nobody did ever "Fix the Damn Roads" but instead as we all know in Michigan the FIX IS IN......Just not the Roads...
Thanks Bob for putting this out there....I-75 is a mess....
Ross

It's hard to imagine any road rougher than WB I-80 around Joliet IL. In 2022 it snapped a D-Ring, fortunately the other side held. Lost two plastic hub caps too.
Since it was under construction, has to be better in 2023? Not! Appears they dumped and "leveled" cold patch over it for miles. Just as rough. Ohio Chevelle Show next year will be via Indy and Columbus.

The gauntlet from Joliet IL to Gary IN is a factor in my not participating in the summer MCACN. - Bill W