Road-Tripping: Ballinger, TX to Canton Charter Township, MI

If you're planning a trip from Ballinger, Texas to Canton Charter Township, Michigan, you have quite a trek ahead of you! Fortunately, there are several routes you can take to make the journey as smooth and manageable as possible. Here are a few options, along with estimated driving times and some must-see stops along the way:

Option 1: Interstate 20 and Interstate 35

Distance: approximately 1,200 miles Driving Time: approximately 18.5 hours

This is the most direct route and is ideal if you're looking to make good time on the road. From Ballinger, take Interstate 20 east, then connect to Interstate 35 north once you reach Fort Worth. Stay on I-35 all the way through Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri, hitting Kansas City, then cutting across Missouri to St. Louis before finally hitting Illinois - all while staying on I-35. Once you reach Aurora, about 45 minutes west of Chicago, you'll want to take I-88 east towards Aurora before jumping onto I-90/I-94, then finally I-275, which will take you into Canton Charter Township.

Must-see stops along the way:

In Oklahoma City: Visit the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
In Kansas City: Check out the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and, if you have time, visit the famous Kansas City Zoo
In St. Louis: Take a ride up the iconic Gateway Arch
In Chicago: Indulge in deep-dish pizza at Gino's East or Lou Malnati's

Option 2: Interstate 20 and Route 66

Distance: approximately 1,600 miles Driving Time: approximately 25 hours

This route is a bit more scenic and slower-paced, but if you're up for the drive, it can be a fun way to see parts of the country you might otherwise miss. From Ballinger, take I-20 east to Dallas, then head north on Route 66 once you reach Oklahoma City. Follow Route 66 all the way through Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, and into Indiana, when you'll finally want to jump onto I-65 north before taking I-94 east into Michigan.

Must-see stops along the way:

In Amarillo, Texas: Visit Cadillac Ranch, a roadside attraction featuring a series of spray-painted Cadillacs, half-buried in a field
In Tulsa, Oklahoma: Snap a photo with the Golden Driller, a massive statue of an oil worker that's become something of a Route 66 icon
In St. Louis: Visit the amazing City Museum, a giant interactive art exhibit housed in an old shoe factory
In Chicago: Take in a game at Wrigley Field, the historic home of the Chicago Cubs

Option 3: The Scenic Route

Distance: approximately 1,700 miles Driving Time: approximately 27 hours

This route takes you through some of the most stunning scenery our country has to offer, and while it's a longer journey, the extra time on the road will be well worth it. From Ballinger, take I-20 east to Dallas, then join up with I-30 once you reach the city. From there, head north on I-49 before joining up with I-44 eastbound near Joplin, Missouri. Follow that until you reach St. Louis, then continue on I-55 past Springfield and Chicago until you reach Michigan.

Must-see stops along the way:

In Santa Fe, New Mexico: Take in the beautiful adobe architecture and rich history of this unique city
In Springfield, Illinois: Visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library
In Detroit: Explore the Motown Museum, celebrating the birthplace of the legendary Motown sound

Whichever route you choose, be sure to plan out plenty of pit-stops and rest breaks along the way. The journey from Ballinger to Canton Charter Township is a long one, but with a little bit of planning and a lot of enthusiasm for the open road, it can be a truly unforgettable road trip!