Rental Car
Pick Up Your Rental
Pick upMilwaukee · Jul 2
Drop offChicago · Jul 5
Total miles723 mi
Getting There · Step 1
Stay Tonight · Milwaukee, WI
Hotel
Milwaukee Overnight
Check-inThu, Jul 2
Check-outFri, Jul 3
First pitch2:10 PM ET
Book near downtown or the ballpark so your first-game arrival stays simple.
DAY 1
Thursday, July 2
First pitch at 2:10 PM ET — Milwaukee Brewers vs. Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field today. Don't leave without Wisconsin Brat (Klement's).
Stop 01 of 03
Milwaukee, WI · Thu Jul 2
American Family Field
Milwaukee Brewers · MLB
2:10 PM ET
vs. Cincinnati Reds
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-inThu, Jul 2
Check-outFri, Jul 3
First pitch tomorrow at 7:10 PM ET. Leave by 10:38 AM.
Sat Morning
When to Depart
Leave by10:38 AM
Drive to Cincinnati408 mi · 7h
Game time7:10 PM ET
Long drive — consider stopping overnight in Cincinnati.
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
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 detourMilwaukee → Cincinnati
408 mi · 7h · regional run
DAY 3
Saturday, July 4
It's a 7h haul from Milwaukee — plan to break this into two days or drive the night before. First pitch at 7:10 PM ET — Cincinnati Reds vs. Baltimore Orioles at Great American Ball Park tonight — Independence Day Celebration / Fireworks tonight. Tower of VW Bugs is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 02 of 03
Cincinnati, OH · Sat Jul 4
Great American Ball Park
Cincinnati Reds · MLB
7:10 PM ET
vs. Baltimore Orioles
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-inSat, Jul 4
Check-outSun, Jul 5
First pitch tomorrow at 2:30 PM ET. Leave by 7:34 AM.
Sun Morning
When to Depart
Leave by7:34 AM
Drive to Chicago315 mi · 5.4h
Game time2:30 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
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 detourCincinnati → Chicago
315 mi · 5.4h · regional run
DAY 4
Sunday, July 5
Cincinnati to Chicago is 5.4h — a solid drive, so leave early and plan a stop along the way. First pitch at 2:30 PM ET — Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field today — Clark the Cub Building Block Set (Kids 13 & under) today. Tower of VW Bugs is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 03 of 03
Chicago, IL · Sun Jul 5
Wrigley Field
Chicago Cubs · MLB
2:30 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
Shift 2 days to catch Fourth of July Celebration at Wrigley Field.
• Fourth of July Celebration at Wrigley Field
• Independence Day Celebration / Fireworks at Great American Ball Park
• Clark the Cub Building Block Set (Kids 13 & under) at Wrigley Field
What to Budget
Estimates only — prices vary by availability
Tickets · 3 games (avg $46)$138
Hotels · 3 nights (avg $155)$465
Fuel · 723 mi at $0.18/mi$130
Ballpark food & drinks$150
Total Estimate$883
* 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 ...