Rental Car
Pick Up Your Rental
Pick upKansas City · Aug 7
Drop offMilwaukee · Aug 18
Total miles2748 mi
Getting There · Step 1
Stay Tonight · Kansas City, MO
Hotel
Kansas City Overnight
Check-inFri, Aug 7
Check-outSat, Aug 8
First pitch8:10 PM ET
Book near downtown or the ballpark so your first-game arrival stays simple.
DAY 1
Friday, August 7
First pitch at 8:10 PM ET — Kansas City Royals vs. Chicago Cubs at Kauffman Stadium tonight. Don't leave without KC Burnt Ends.
Stop 01 of 07
Kansas City, MO · Fri Aug 7
Kauffman Stadium
Kansas City Royals · MLB
8:10 PM ET
vs. Chicago Cubs
Must Eat at the Park
KC Burnt Ends
Kansas City-style burnt ends — the crispy, caramelized points of a smoked brisket. The defining food of KC BBQ.
Local Beer
Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat
Kansas City's defining craft brewery. The Unfiltered Wheat is a KC staple at the K.
Boulevard Brewing
George Brett and the Pine Tar Game
Pilgrim Notes · Kansas City Baseball History
Stay Tonight · Kansas City, MO
Kansas City Overnight
Check-inFri, Aug 7
Check-outSat, Aug 8
First pitch tomorrow at 1:35 PM ET. Leave by Previous evening — overnight drive recommended.
Sun Morning
When to Depart
Leave byPrevious evening — overnight drive recommended
Drive to Pittsburgh968 mi · 16.7h
Game time1:35 PM ET
Long drive — consider stopping overnight in Kansas City overnight.
Breakfast Stop · Kansas City, MO
Before You Hit the Road
Town Topic Hamburgers
Midnight diner on Broadway since 1937. Open 24 hours. The burger is the point but the breakfast menu has fueled Kansas City's night owls and early risers for 85 years. Order at the counter.
Eggs + hash + coffee
Open 24 hours
Worth the Detour · +10 min
Hug Me Jesus (Lux Mundi)
A 62-foot statue of Jesus with outstretched arms looms over I-75 near Monroe. The original 'Touchdown Jesus' was struck by lightning in 2010. This is the replacement. It was not struck by lightning.
Monroe, OH · 10 min detourKansas City → Pittsburgh
968 mi · 16.7h · long haul
DAY 3
Sunday, August 9
It's a 16.7h haul from Kansas City — plan to break this into two days or drive the night before. First pitch at 1:35 PM ET — Pittsburgh Pirates vs. New York Mets at PNC Park today — Family Fun Day: 500-Piece Puzzle (Kids 14 & under) today. Hug Me Jesus (Lux Mundi) is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 02 of 07
Pittsburgh, PA · Sun Aug 9
PNC Park
Pittsburgh Pirates · MLB
1:35 PM ET
vs. New York Mets
Must Eat at the Park
Primanti Brothers Sandwich
Pittsburgh's most iconic food in its natural habitat. Meat and cheese on airy Italian bread loaded with tomatoes, coleslaw, and french fries inside the sandwich. Designed for Pittsburgh truckers in 1933.
Local Beer
Fat Head's Bullpen Tap Bar
Eight rotating taps positioned directly above the Pirates bullpen. The only bar in baseball where you can watch a reliever warm up while drinking a Head Hunter IPA. Arrive before first pitch for a seat at the rail.
Fat Head's Brewery · North Olmsted, OH
Maz, Clemente, and the Most Beautiful View in Baseball
Pilgrim Notes · Pittsburgh Baseball History
Stay Tonight · Pittsburgh, PA
Pittsburgh Overnight
Check-inSun, Aug 9
Check-outMon, Aug 10
First pitch tomorrow at 7:45 PM ET. Leave by 6:15 AM.
Tue Morning
When to Depart
Leave by6:15 AM
Drive to St. Louis696 mi · 12h
Game time7:45 PM ET
Long drive — consider stopping overnight in Pittsburgh overnight.
Breakfast Stop · Pittsburgh, PA
Before You Hit the Road
Pamela's Diner
Multiple locations. Obama ordered here on the campaign trail. The hotcakes are thin, buttery, perfect.
Crepe-style hotcakes
Worth the Detour · +10 min
Hug Me Jesus (Lux Mundi)
A 62-foot statue of Jesus with outstretched arms looms over I-75 near Monroe. The original 'Touchdown Jesus' was struck by lightning in 2010. This is the replacement. It was not struck by lightning.
Monroe, OH · 10 min detourPittsburgh → St. Louis
696 mi · 12h · long haul
DAY 5
Tuesday, August 11
It's a 12h haul from Pittsburgh — plan to break this into two days or drive the night before. First pitch at 7:45 PM ET — St. Louis Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Phillies at Busch Stadium tonight. Hug Me Jesus (Lux Mundi) is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 03 of 07
St. Louis, MO · Tue Aug 11
Busch Stadium
St. Louis Cardinals · MLB
7:45 PM ET
vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Must Eat at the Park
St. Louis-Style Toasted Ravioli
Pasta filled with meat, breaded and deep-fried, served with marinara dipping sauce — a St. Louis original.
Local Beer
Busch Beer
The stadium is literally named for this beer. Historically appropriate in every way.
Anheuser-Busch
Musial, Gibson, and the Cardinal Way
Pilgrim Notes · St. Louis Baseball History
Stay Tonight · St. Louis, MO
St. Louis Overnight
Check-inTue, Aug 11
Check-outWed, Aug 12
First pitch tomorrow at 6:10 PM ET. Leave by 10:02 AM.
Fri Morning
When to Depart
Leave by10:02 AM
Drive to Cincinnati385 mi · 6.6h
Game time6:10 PM ET
Long drive — consider stopping overnight in Cincinnati.
Breakfast Stop · St. Louis, MO
Before You Hit the Road
Goody Goody Diner
St. Louis breakfast institution. Pancakes and biscuits-and-gravy have anchored pre-Cardinals mornings for decades. No-nonsense diner that has stayed exactly itself while the city changed around it.
Pancakes + bacon + coffee
Open 7 AM–2 PM daily
Worth the Detour · +10 min
Hartman Rock Garden Springfield
50 hand-built miniature American monuments in a Springfield machinist's backyard.
Springfield, OH · 10 min detourSt. Louis → Cincinnati
385 mi · 6.6h · regional run
DAY 8
Friday, August 14
First pitch at 6:10 PM ET — Cincinnati Reds vs. Miami Marlins at Great American Ball Park tonight — Fireworks Friday tonight. Hartman Rock Garden Springfield is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 04 of 07
Cincinnati, OH · Fri Aug 14
Great American Ball Park
Cincinnati Reds · MLB
6:10 PM ET
vs. Miami Marlins
Must Eat at the Park
Cincinnati Chili Dog (Skyline)
Cincinnati chili served over a hot dog (the Cheese Coney). Skyline Chili has operated in Cincinnati since 1949.
Local Beer
MadTree Axis IPA
Cincinnati's most celebrated craft brewery. Axis IPA is their flagship.
MadTree Brewing
The Big Red Machine
Pilgrim Notes · Cincinnati Baseball History
Stay Tonight · Cincinnati, OH
Cincinnati Overnight
Check-inFri, Aug 14
Check-outSat, Aug 15
First pitch tomorrow at 7:10 PM ET. Leave by 12:34 PM.
Sat Morning
When to Depart
Leave by12:34 PM
Drive to Cleveland296 mi · 5.1h
Game time7:10 PM ET
Leave on time to allow for fuel, food, and parking.
Breakfast Stop · Cincinnati, OH
Before You Hit the Road
Price Hill Chili
Price Hill neighborhood. Cincinnati chili for breakfast is the move — a 3-way at 8 AM has no business working and yet it does. Open early for the pre-work crowd.
3-Way chili + coffee
Open 7 AM Mon–Sat
Worth the Detour · +10 min
Field of Corn (Cornhenge)
109 concrete ears of corn arranged in rows like Arlington National Cemetery outside Columbus. Each one weighs 1,500 lbs and stands 6 feet tall. There is no satisfying explanation.
Dublin, OH · 10 min detourCincinnati → Cleveland
296 mi · 5.1h · regional run
DAY 9
Saturday, August 15
Cincinnati to Cleveland is 5.1h — a solid drive, so leave early and plan a stop along the way. First pitch at 7:10 PM ET — Cleveland Guardians vs. San Diego Padres at Progressive Field tonight — City Connect Sling Bag tonight. Field of Corn (Cornhenge) is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 05 of 07
Cleveland, OH · Sat Aug 15
Progressive Field
Cleveland Guardians · MLB
7:10 PM ET
vs. San Diego Padres
Must Eat at the Park
Polish Boy Sausage
A kielbasa in a bun topped with french fries, coleslaw, and hot sauce. A Cleveland original found nowhere else.
Local Beer
Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold
The Cleveland craft institution. Dortmunder Gold has won more awards than any Ohio beer.
Great Lakes Brewing
The Longest Championship Drought and One Perfect Game
Pilgrim Notes · Cleveland Baseball History
Stay Tonight · Cleveland, OH
Cleveland Overnight
Check-inSat, Aug 15
Check-outSun, Aug 16
First pitch tomorrow at 3:10 PM ET. Leave by 8:31 AM.
Sun Morning
When to Depart
Leave by8:31 AM
Drive to Chicago299 mi · 5.2h
Game time3:10 PM ET
Leave on time to allow for fuel, food, and parking.
Breakfast Stop · Cleveland, OH
Before You Hit the Road
West Side Market
Ohio City since 1912. The greatest market hall in the Midwest. Over 100 vendors — pierogi, kielbasa, fresh bread. Grab breakfast from multiple stalls and eat in the main hall. A Cleveland essential.
Fresh pierogi + kielbasa + bread from multiple stalls
Open 7 AM Wed/Fri/Sat/Sun
Worth the Detour · +10 min
Tower of VW Bugs
Five colorfully painted 1960s Volkswagen Beetles stacked on top of each other in a pawn shop parking lot in Defiance. A mannequin climbs out of the fourth one. This is art.
Defiance, OH · 10 min detourCleveland → Chicago
299 mi · 5.2h · regional run
DAY 10
Sunday, August 16
Cleveland to Chicago is 5.2h — a solid drive, so leave early and plan a stop along the way. First pitch at 3:10 PM ET — Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field today. Tower of VW Bugs is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 06 of 07
Chicago, IL · Sun Aug 16
Wrigley Field
Chicago Cubs · MLB
3:10 PM ET
vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Must Eat at the Park
Chicago-Style Hot Dog
A Vienna beef hot dog on a poppy seed bun, dragged through the garden: yellow mustard, bright green relish, onions, tomato wedges, a pickle spear, sport peppers, and celery salt. No ketchup. Ever.
Local Beer
Old Style Lager
Served at Wrigley since 1950. The single most identified brand with Cubs baseball. The bleachers run on Old Style.
Pabst Brewing
The Friendly Confines and the Longest Drought in Sports
Pilgrim Notes · Chicago Baseball History
Stay Tonight · Chicago, IL
Chicago Overnight
Check-inSun, Aug 16
Check-outMon, Aug 17
First pitch tomorrow at 7:40 PM ET. Leave by 4:22 PM.
Tue Morning
When to Depart
Leave by4:22 PM
Drive to Milwaukee104 mi · 1.8h
Game time7:40 PM ET
Leave on time to allow for fuel, food, and parking.
Breakfast Stop · Chicago, IL
Before You Hit the Road
Ann Sather
Boystown since 1945. The cinnamon rolls are mythological — the size of your head, fresh every morning. Swedish-American diner that has defined Wrigleyville breakfast culture for 80 years.
Giant cinnamon roll + eggs
Open 7 AM daily
Lunch Stop · I-94 N, Exit 344, Kenosha
Midway Fuel-Up
Brat Stop
Kenosha, WI on I-94. The Wisconsin welcome mat between Chicago and Milwaukee. Beer-soaked bratwurst grilled and served with sauerkraut and Stadium Sauce. The German heritage of the I-94 corridor in sandwich form.
Bratwurst + sauerkraut + Stadium Sauce
Open 11 AM–10 PM daily
Worth the Detour · +10 min
Gemini Giant Wilmington
A 28-foot spaceman on Route 66 since 1965. The drive-in still serves burgers.
Wilmington, IL · 10 min detourChicago → Milwaukee
104 mi · 1.8h · easy leg
DAY 12
Tuesday, August 18
A short 1.8h drive from Chicago sets up the day. First pitch at 7:40 PM ET — Milwaukee Brewers vs. Seattle Mariners at American Family Field tonight — Wisconsin Artist Series Hat (Ric Stultz / Racine) tonight. Gemini Giant Wilmington is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 07 of 07
Milwaukee, WI · Tue Aug 18
American Family Field
Milwaukee Brewers · MLB
7:40 PM ET
vs. Seattle Mariners
Must Eat at the Park
Wisconsin Brat (Klement's)
A Klement's bratwurst grilled over charcoal and served in a hoagie roll with stadium mustard, sauerkraut, and grilled onions.
Local Beer
Spotted Cow
The farmhouse ale sold exclusively in Wisconsin. The most state-exclusive craft beer in MLB.
New Glarus Brewing
The Brewers, Hank the Dog, and Robin Yount
Pilgrim Notes · Milwaukee Baseball History
Shift 2 days to catch Family Fun Day: 500-Piece Puzzle (Kids 14 & under) at PNC Park.
• Family Fun Day: 500-Piece Puzzle (Kids 14 & under) at PNC Park
• Fireworks Friday at Great American Ball Park
• Bobblehead Giveaway (TBD) at Great American Ball Park
• Replica Jersey Giveaway at Busch Stadium
What to Budget
Estimates only — prices vary by availability
Tickets · 7 games (avg $46)$322
Hotels · 11 nights (avg $155)$1,705
Fuel · 2748 mi at $0.18/mi$495
Ballpark food & drinks$350
Total Estimate$2,872
* Estimates only. Prices vary.
How This Trip Was Planned
Our Algorithm
We evaluate many stop orders (up to seven parks: every permutation; larger trips: smart samples plus nearest-neighbor paths from home) and keep the version that preserves the most ballparks on your list with the least driving between games, inside an expanded or standard date ...