Rental Car
Pick Up Your Rental
Pick upMilwaukee · Sep 7
Drop offMinneapolis · Sep 13
Total miles549 mi
Getting There · Step 1
Stay Tonight · Milwaukee, WI
Hotel
Milwaukee Overnight
Check-inMon, Sep 7
Check-outTue, Sep 8
First pitch2:10 PM ET
Book near downtown or the ballpark so your first-game arrival stays simple.
DAY 1
Monday, September 7
First pitch at 2:10 PM ET — Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs at American Family Field today. Don't leave without Wisconsin Brat (Klement's).
Stop 01 of 03
Milwaukee, WI · Mon Sep 7
American Family Field
Milwaukee Brewers · MLB
2:10 PM ET
vs. Chicago Cubs
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-inMon, Sep 7
Check-outTue, Sep 8
First pitch tomorrow at 2:20 PM ET. Leave by 11:02 AM.
Fri 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 5
Friday, September 11
First pitch at 2:20 PM ET — Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field today — Cubs Math Education Event today. Gemini Giant Wilmington is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 02 of 03
Chicago, IL · Fri Sep 11
Wrigley Field
Chicago Cubs · MLB
2:20 PM ET
vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
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-inFri, Sep 11
Check-outSat, Sep 12
First pitch tomorrow at 2:10 PM ET. Leave by Previous evening — overnight drive recommended.
Sun Morning
When to Depart
Leave byPrevious evening — overnight drive recommended
Drive to Minneapolis445 mi · 7.7h
Game time2:10 PM ET
Long drive — consider stopping overnight in Minneapolis.
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
Jolly Green Giant Statue
A 55-foot vegetable mascot who will let you stand in his palm.
Blue Earth, MN · 10 min detourChicago → Minneapolis
445 mi · 7.7h · regional run
DAY 7
Sunday, September 13
It's a 7.7h haul from Chicago — plan to break this into two days or drive the night before. First pitch at 2:10 PM ET — Minnesota Twins vs. Cleveland Guardians at Target Field today — Armed Forces Appreciation today. Jolly Green Giant Statue is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 03 of 03
Minneapolis, MN · Sun Sep 13
Target Field
Minnesota Twins · MLB
2:10 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
Shift 2 days to catch Cubs Math Education Event at Wrigley Field.
• Cubs Math Education Event at Wrigley Field
• Oktoberfest Alpine Hat at American Family Field
• Kids Giveaway: Hank the Dog Plushie at American Family Field
• Sammy Sosa Bobblehead (150th Anniversary); Youth Baseball Sunglasses at Wrigley Field
What to Budget
Estimates only — prices vary by availability
Tickets · 3 games (avg $46)$138
Hotels · 6 nights (avg $155)$930
Fuel · 549 mi at $0.18/mi$99
Ballpark food & drinks$150
Total Estimate$1,317
* 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 ...