Rental Car
Pick Up Your Rental
Pick upKansas City · Jul 4
Drop offCleveland · Jul 31
Total miles2226 mi
Getting There · Step 1
Stay Tonight · Kansas City, MO
Hotel
Kansas City Overnight
Check-inSat, Jul 4
Check-outSun, Jul 5
First pitch8:10 PM ET
Book near downtown or the ballpark so your first-game arrival stays simple.
DAY 1
Saturday, July 4
First pitch at 8:10 PM ET — Kansas City Royals vs. Philadelphia Phillies at Kauffman Stadium tonight — Red, White & Bobby Bobblehead + July 4th Fireworks tonight.
Stop 01 of 08
Kansas City, MO · Sat Jul 4
Kauffman Stadium
Kansas City Royals · MLB
8:10 PM ET
vs. Philadelphia Phillies
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-inSat, Jul 4
Check-outSun, Jul 5
First pitch tomorrow at 7:40 PM ET. Leave by 9:14 AM.
Tue Morning
When to Depart
Leave by9:14 AM
Drive to Minneapolis518 mi · 8.9h
Game time7:40 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
Largest Ball of Twine
17,400 pounds of twine wrapped by one man for 29 years. The qualifier matters.
Darwin, MN · 10 min detourKansas City → Minneapolis
518 mi · 8.9h · long haul
DAY 4
Tuesday, July 7
First pitch at 7:40 PM ET — Minnesota Twins vs. Cleveland Guardians at Target Field tonight. Largest Ball of Twine is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 02 of 08
Minneapolis, MN · Tue Jul 7
Target Field
Minnesota Twins · MLB
7:40 PM ET
vs. Cleveland Guardians
Must Eat at the Park
Kramarczuk's Bratwurst
Kramarczuk's, the northeast Minneapolis sausage institution since 1954, supplies the best bratwurst at any AL Central park.
Local Beer
Surly Furious IPA
Minnesota's flagship craft IPA. The Surly Tap Room at Target Field is the best brewery bar in the AL Central.
Surly Brewing
The Metrodome, the Homer Hankies, and Kirby Puckett
Pilgrim Notes · Minneapolis Baseball History
Stay Tonight · Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis Overnight
Check-inTue, Jul 7
Check-outWed, Jul 8
First pitch tomorrow at 7:45 PM ET. Leave by 8:11 AM.
Thu Morning
When to Depart
Leave by8:11 AM
Drive to St. Louis584 mi · 10.1h
Game time7:45 PM ET
Long drive — consider stopping overnight in Minneapolis overnight.
Breakfast Stop · Minneapolis, MN
Before You Hit the Road
Hells Kitchen
Downtown Minneapolis basement, open since 2002. Lemon ricotta hotcakes and house-made peanut butter are extraordinary. Dark, atmospheric, excellent coffee. Perfect before a Target Field day game.
Lemon ricotta hotcakes + house PB + espresso
Open 7 AM daily
Worth the Detour · +10 min
Jolly Green Giant Statue
A 55-foot vegetable mascot who will let you stand in his palm.
Blue Earth, MN · 10 min detourMinneapolis → St. Louis
584 mi · 10.1h · long haul
DAY 6
Thursday, July 9
It's a 10.1h haul from Minneapolis — plan to break this into two days or drive the night before. First pitch at 7:45 PM ET — St. Louis Cardinals vs. Milwaukee Brewers at Busch Stadium tonight. Jolly Green Giant Statue is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 03 of 08
St. Louis, MO · Thu Jul 9
Busch Stadium
St. Louis Cardinals · MLB
7:45 PM ET
vs. Milwaukee Brewers
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-inThu, Jul 9
Check-outFri, Jul 10
First pitch tomorrow at 7:40 PM ET. Leave by 11:08 AM.
Fri Morning
When to Depart
Leave by11:08 AM
Drive to Milwaukee408 mi · 7h
Game time7:40 PM ET
Long drive — consider stopping overnight in Milwaukee.
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
Gemini Giant Wilmington
A 28-foot spaceman on Route 66 since 1965. The drive-in still serves burgers.
Wilmington, IL · 10 min detourSt. Louis → Milwaukee
408 mi · 7h · regional run
DAY 14
Friday, July 17
First pitch at 7:40 PM ET — Milwaukee Brewers vs. Miami Marlins at American Family Field tonight — Noche de Cerveceros (Community Night) tonight. Gemini Giant Wilmington is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 04 of 08
Milwaukee, WI · Fri Jul 17
American Family Field
Milwaukee Brewers · MLB
7:40 PM ET
vs. Miami Marlins
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
Stay Tonight · Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Overnight
Check-inFri, Jul 17
Check-outSat, Jul 18
First pitch tomorrow at 2:20 PM ET. Leave by 11:02 AM.
Sat Morning
When to Depart
Leave by11:02 AM
Drive to Chicago104 mi · 1.8h
Game time2:20 PM ET
Leave on time to allow for fuel, food, and parking.
Breakfast Stop · Milwaukee, WI
Before You Hit the Road
Diner on the Square
Wauwatosa Square. Proper Midwestern diner breakfast done exactly right. German-influenced egg dishes reflect Milwaukee's heritage. 15 minutes from American Family Field — go before a Brewers day game.
German farmer's breakfast + coffee
Open 7 AM 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 detourMilwaukee → Chicago
104 mi · 1.8h · easy leg
DAY 15
Saturday, July 18
A short 1.8h drive from Milwaukee sets up the day. First pitch at 2:20 PM ET — Chicago Cubs vs. Minnesota Twins at Wrigley Field today — 2016 World Series Anniversary Celebration today. Gemini Giant Wilmington is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 05 of 08
Chicago, IL · Sat Jul 18
Wrigley Field
Chicago Cubs · MLB
2:20 PM ET
vs. Minnesota Twins
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-inSat, Jul 18
Check-outSun, Jul 19
First pitch tomorrow at 7:40 PM ET. Leave by 6:07 PM.
Fri Morning
When to Depart
Leave by6:07 PM
Drive to Chicago3 mi · 0.1h
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
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 → Chicago
3 mi · 0.1h · easy leg
DAY 21
Friday, July 24
First pitch at 7:40 PM ET — Chicago White Sox vs. Houston Astros at Guaranteed Rate Field tonight. Gemini Giant Wilmington is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 06 of 08
Chicago, IL · Fri Jul 24
Guaranteed Rate Field
Chicago White Sox · MLB
7:40 PM ET
vs. Houston Astros
Must Eat at the Park
Maxwell Street Polish Sausage
Jim's Original Maxwell Street Polish — a grilled Polish sausage with mustard and grilled onions on a bun.
Local Beer
Revolution Anti-Hero IPA
Chicago's largest independent craft brewery also serves the South Side.
Revolution Brewing
The Friendly Confines and the Longest Drought in Sports
Pilgrim Notes · Chicago Baseball History
Stay Tonight · Chicago, IL
Chicago Overnight
Check-inFri, Jul 24
Check-outSat, Jul 25
First pitch tomorrow at 7:10 PM ET. Leave by 12:16 PM.
Mon Morning
When to Depart
Leave by12:16 PM
Drive to Cincinnati313 mi · 5.4h
Game time7:10 PM ET
Leave on time to allow for fuel, food, and parking.
Breakfast Stop · Chicago, IL
Before You Hit the Road
Lou Mitchell's
Jackson Blvd since 1923. A Chicago institution older than most Wrigley Field renovations. Double-yolk eggs, homemade marmalade, complimentary Milk Duds while you wait. Cubs and Sox fans both claim it.
Double-yolk omelette + fresh OJ
Open 5:30 AM–3 PM Mon–Sat
Lunch Stop · Downtown off I-70, Illinois St
Midway Fuel-Up
St. Elmo Steak House
Downtown Indy. Open since 1902. The shrimp cocktail with house horseradish sauce is a religious experience. Bring napkins.
Shrimp cocktail (famously hot)
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 detourChicago → Cincinnati
313 mi · 5.4h · regional run
DAY 24
Monday, July 27
First pitch at 7:10 PM ET — Cincinnati Reds vs. Cleveland Guardians at Great American Ball Park tonight. Tower of VW Bugs is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 07 of 08
Cincinnati, OH · Mon Jul 27
Great American Ball Park
Cincinnati Reds · MLB
7:10 PM ET
vs. Cleveland Guardians
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-inMon, Jul 27
Check-outTue, Jul 28
First pitch tomorrow at 7:10 PM ET. Leave by 12:34 PM.
Fri 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 28
Friday, July 31
First pitch at 7:10 PM ET — Cleveland Guardians vs. Arizona Diamondbacks at Progressive Field tonight. Field of Corn (Cornhenge) is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 08 of 08
Cleveland, OH · Fri Jul 31
Progressive Field
Cleveland Guardians · MLB
7:10 PM ET
vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
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
What to Budget
Estimates only — prices vary by availability
Tickets · 8 games (avg $46)$368
Hotels · 27 nights (avg $155)$4,185
Fuel · 2226 mi at $0.18/mi$401
Ballpark food & drinks$400
Total Estimate$5,354
* 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 ...