Rental Car
Pick Up Your Rental
Pick upMilwaukee · Jun 12
Drop offCincinnati · Jun 16
Total miles419 mi
Getting There · Step 1
Stay Tonight · Milwaukee, WI
Hotel
Milwaukee Overnight
Check-inFri, Jun 12
Check-outSat, Jun 13
First pitch7:40 PM ET
Book near downtown or the ballpark so your first-game arrival stays simple.
DAY 1
Friday, June 12
First pitch at 7:40 PM ET — Milwaukee Brewers vs. Philadelphia Phillies at American Family Field tonight — Pride Night tonight.
Stop 01 of 03
Milwaukee, WI · Fri Jun 12
American Family Field
Milwaukee Brewers · MLB
7:40 PM ET
vs. Philadelphia Phillies
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, Jun 12
Check-outSat, Jun 13
First pitch tomorrow at 8:05 PM ET. Leave by 4:47 PM.
Mon Morning
When to Depart
Leave by4:47 PM
Drive to Chicago104 mi · 1.8h
Game time8:05 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 4
Monday, June 15
First pitch at 8:05 PM ET — Chicago Cubs vs. Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field tonight. Gemini Giant Wilmington is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 02 of 03
Chicago, IL · Mon Jun 15
Wrigley Field
Chicago Cubs · MLB
8:05 PM ET
vs. Colorado Rockies
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-inMon, Jun 15
Check-outTue, Jun 16
First pitch tomorrow at 7:10 PM ET. Leave by 12:14 PM.
Tue Morning
When to Depart
Leave by12:14 PM
Drive to Cincinnati315 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 · I-65 S to IN-43, Chauncey Hill, W Lafayette
Midway Fuel-Up
Triple XXX Family Restaurant
West Lafayette, IN since 1929. Diner on the Purdue University strip open for nearly 100 years. The Duane Purvis All-American burger (peanut butter on a burger) is the reason people stop here. Sounds wrong. Is right.
Duane Purvis All-American burger
Open 7 AM–10 PM daily
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
315 mi · 5.4h · regional run
DAY 5
Tuesday, June 16
Chicago to Cincinnati is 5.4h — a solid drive, so leave early and plan a stop along the way. First pitch at 7:10 PM ET — Cincinnati Reds vs. New York Mets at Great American Ball Park tonight. Tower of VW Bugs is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 03 of 03
Cincinnati, OH · Tue Jun 16
Great American Ball Park
Cincinnati Reds · MLB
7:10 PM ET
vs. New York Mets
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
Shift 2 days to catch Kids Giveaway: Sal Frelick Jersey (Slidin' Sal) at American Family Field.
• Kids Giveaway: Sal Frelick Jersey (Slidin' Sal) at American Family Field
• #BudFridays: Cubs 1930s Replica Jersey; Juneteenth Celebration at Wrigley Field
• Fireworks Friday; Juneteenth at Great American Ball Park
What to Budget
Estimates only — prices vary by availability
Tickets · 3 games (avg $46)$138
Hotels · 4 nights (avg $155)$620
Fuel · 419 mi at $0.18/mi$75
Ballpark food & drinks$150
Total Estimate$983
* 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 ...