Oak Park to Superior: A 550-Mile Lake Superior Road Trip

One quirk of this route: the highest point you'll reach is just over 1,200 feet near Stevens Point, Wisconsin, yet you'll cross the Laurentian Divide—a continental divide separating waters flowing to the Great Lakes from those flowing to Hudson Bay—just south of Superior. This subtle crest marks the transition from the Great Lakes Basin to Canada's northward drainage.

This 550-mile drive from Oak Park, a Chicago suburb, to Superior, Wisconsin's westernmost port city, offers a mix of prairie, farmland, and Northwoods forest. Whether it's worth it depends on how much you value small towns, cheese curds, and scenic overlooks. Here’s how to make the most of the drive.

Safety is straightforward: speed limits are 70 mph on interstates, lower on US-12 (55-65). Deer are common at dawn/dusk in rural areas, so use high beams when safe. Road conditions are generally good, but winter weather can be harsh—carry emergency supplies.

For families, the Wisconsin Dells offers water parks and the Circus World Museum in Baraboo. Pets are welcome at many roadside rest areas, but note that Wisconsin state parks require pets on a leash (maximum 6 feet).

To manage fatigue, plan stops every 2 hours. Rest areas are plentiful on I-90/94, but on US-12 they are rarer; use truck stops like Kwik Trip or Love's. One hidden off-route spot is Parfrey's Glen Natural Area near Baraboo, a trail to a glacial gorge.

The fastest route from Oak Park to Superior uses I-90 W and I-94 W, but for a more interesting drive, take US-12 west through Wisconsin Dells, then WI-29 north to US-53 to Superior. This adds about 45 minutes but offers better scenery.

• Fuel costs: ~$60-80 depending on vehicle, with lower prices in Wisconsin (gas tax: 30.9 cents/gallon vs Illinois' 39.2 cents).
• Road quality: Excellent on interstates; US-12 has some two-lane stretches with moderate traffic.
• Key highways: I-290 N, I-90 W, US-12, WI-29, US-53.

Superior is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site? Actually, no—the nearest is the Frank Lloyd Wright buildings in nearby Chicago, but you're leaving them behind. However, the route passes within 20 miles of the Ice Age Trail near Baraboo, a National Scenic Trail.

The landscape shifts from Chicagoland's flat sprawl to Wisconsin's dairy farms and then to the rolling, forested slopes of the Northwoods. Highlights include the Baraboo Range, the Wisconsin Dells, and the scenic overlook of Lake Superior at Superior's waterfront.

Local commerce thrives in towns like Baraboo and Stevens Point, known for craft breweries and cheesemakers. A hidden gem is the Aldo Leopold Legacy Center near Baraboo, a conservation landmark.

For more on discovering hidden spots between cities, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.