Rental Car
Pick Up Your Rental
Pick upPittsburgh · Aug 14
Drop offMinneapolis · Aug 19
Total miles1029 mi
Getting There · Step 1
Stay Tonight · Pittsburgh, PA
Hotel
Pittsburgh Overnight
Check-inFri, Aug 14
Check-outSat, Aug 15
First pitch6:40 PM ET
Book near downtown or the ballpark so your first-game arrival stays simple.
DAY 1
Friday, August 14
First pitch at 6:40 PM ET — Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Boston Red Sox at PNC Park tonight. Don't leave without Primanti Brothers Sandwich.
Stop 01 of 05
Pittsburgh, PA · Fri Aug 14
PNC Park
Pittsburgh Pirates · MLB
6:40 PM ET
vs. Boston Red Sox
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-inFri, Aug 14
Check-outSat, Aug 15
First pitch tomorrow at 7:10 PM ET. Leave by 1:15 PM.
Sat Morning
When to Depart
Leave by1:15 PM
Drive to Cleveland256 mi · 4.4h
Game time7:10 PM ET
Leave on time to allow for fuel, food, and parking.
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
Zanesville Y-Bridge Ohio
The only Y-shaped bridge in the world. Cross it from any side, end up where you started.
Zanesville, OH · 10 min detourPittsburgh → Cleveland
256 mi · 4.4h · easy leg
DAY 2
Saturday, August 15
Pittsburgh to Cleveland is 4.4h — 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. Zanesville Y-Bridge Ohio is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 02 of 05
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 3
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 03 of 05
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
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-94 N Exit 342
Midway Fuel-Up
Frank's Diner
Classic Wisconsin diner on I-94 northbound. The Locomotive has been fueling road trippers for decades.
Locomotive Burger — everything on it
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 5
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 04 of 05
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
Stay Tonight · Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Overnight
Check-inTue, Aug 18
Check-outWed, Aug 19
First pitch tomorrow at 1:40 PM ET. Leave by 5:47 AM.
Wed Morning
When to Depart
Leave by5:47 AM
Drive to Minneapolis370 mi · 6.4h
Game time1:40 PM ET
Long drive — consider stopping overnight in Minneapolis.
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
Jolly Green Giant Statue
A 55-foot vegetable mascot who will let you stand in his palm.
Blue Earth, MN · 10 min detourMilwaukee → Minneapolis
370 mi · 6.4h · regional run
DAY 6
Wednesday, August 19
It's a 6.4h haul from Milwaukee — plan to break this into two days or drive the night before. First pitch at 1:40 PM ET — Minnesota Twins vs. Atlanta Braves at Target Field today. Jolly Green Giant Statue is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 05 of 05
Minneapolis, MN · Wed Aug 19
Target Field
Minnesota Twins · MLB
1:40 PM ET
vs. Atlanta Braves
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 Wisconsin Artist Series Hat (Ric Stultz / Racine) at American Family Field.
• Wisconsin Artist Series Hat (Ric Stultz / Racine) at American Family Field
• Black Culture Fest (Community Night) at American Family Field
• Soccer Night at PNC Park
• Hank Aaron Replica Jersey at American Family Field
What to Budget
Estimates only — prices vary by availability
Tickets · 5 games (avg $46)$230
Hotels · 5 nights (avg $155)$775
Fuel · 1029 mi at $0.18/mi$185
Ballpark food & drinks$250
Total Estimate$1,440
* 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 ...