Rental Car
Pick Up Your Rental
Pick upMinneapolis · Aug 15
Drop offSt. Louis · Aug 25
Total miles1928 mi
Getting There · Step 1
Stay Tonight · Minneapolis, MN
Hotel
Minneapolis Overnight
Check-inSat, Aug 15
Check-outSun, Aug 16
First pitch7:10 PM ET
Book near downtown or the ballpark so your first-game arrival stays simple.
DAY 1
Saturday, August 15
First pitch at 7:10 PM ET — Minnesota Twins vs. Philadelphia Phillies at Target Field tonight. Don't leave without Kramarczuk's Bratwurst.
Stop 01 of 06
Minneapolis, MN · Sat Aug 15
Target Field
Minnesota Twins · MLB
7:10 PM ET
vs. Philadelphia Phillies
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-inSat, Aug 15
Check-outSun, Aug 16
First pitch tomorrow at 3:10 PM ET. Leave by 6:00 AM.
Sun Morning
When to Depart
Leave by6:00 AM
Drive to Chicago445 mi · 7.7h
Game time3:10 PM ET
Leave on time to allow for fuel, food, and parking.
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 → Chicago
445 mi · 7.7h · regional run
DAY 2
Sunday, August 16
It's a 7.7h haul from Minneapolis — plan to break this into two days or drive the night before. First pitch at 3:10 PM ET — Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field today. Jolly Green Giant Statue is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 02 of 06
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
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
Lunch Stop · I-94 N, Exit 344, Kenosha
Midway Fuel-Up
Brat Stop
Kenosha, WI on I-94. The Wisconsin welcome mat between Chicago and Milwaukee. Beer-soaked bratwurst grilled and served with sauerkraut and Stadium Sauce. The German heritage of the I-94 corridor in sandwich form.
Bratwurst + sauerkraut + Stadium Sauce
Open 11 AM–10 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 detourChicago → Milwaukee
104 mi · 1.8h · easy leg
DAY 4
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 03 of 06
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 2:10 PM ET. Leave by Previous evening — overnight drive recommended.
Thu Morning
When to Depart
Leave byPrevious evening — overnight drive recommended
Drive to Kansas City545 mi · 9.4h
Game time2:10 PM ET
Long drive — consider stopping overnight in Milwaukee overnight.
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 → Kansas City
545 mi · 9.4h · long haul
DAY 6
Thursday, August 20
It's a 9.4h haul from Milwaukee — plan to break this into two days or drive the night before. First pitch at 2:10 PM ET — Kansas City Royals vs. Athletics at Kauffman Stadium today. Jolly Green Giant Statue is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 04 of 06
Kansas City, MO · Thu Aug 20
Kauffman Stadium
Kansas City Royals · MLB
2:10 PM ET
vs. Athletics
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-inThu, Aug 20
Check-outFri, Aug 21
First pitch tomorrow at 7:10 PM ET. Leave by 8:52 AM.
Sat Morning
When to Depart
Leave by8:52 AM
Drive to Chicago510 mi · 8.8h
Game time7:10 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
Gemini Giant Wilmington
A 28-foot spaceman on Route 66 since 1965. The drive-in still serves burgers.
Wilmington, IL · 10 min detourKansas City → Chicago
510 mi · 8.8h · long haul
DAY 8
Saturday, August 22
It's a 8.8h haul from Kansas City — plan to break this into two days or drive the night before. First pitch at 7:10 PM ET — Chicago White Sox vs. New York Mets at Guaranteed Rate Field tonight — Puerto Rican Heritage Night + Domino Set tonight. Gemini Giant Wilmington is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 05 of 06
Chicago, IL · Sat Aug 22
Guaranteed Rate Field
Chicago White Sox · MLB
7:10 PM ET
vs. New York Mets
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-inSat, Aug 22
Check-outSun, Aug 23
First pitch tomorrow at 7:45 PM ET. Leave by 12:40 PM.
Tue Morning
When to Depart
Leave by12:40 PM
Drive to St. Louis324 mi · 5.6h
Game time7:45 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
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 → St. Louis
324 mi · 5.6h · regional run
DAY 11
Tuesday, August 25
First pitch at 7:45 PM ET — St. Louis Cardinals vs. Baltimore Orioles at Busch Stadium tonight. Gemini Giant Wilmington is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 06 of 06
St. Louis, MO · Tue Aug 25
Busch Stadium
St. Louis Cardinals · MLB
7:45 PM ET
vs. Baltimore Orioles
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
Shift 2 days to catch Kids Backpack Giveaway at Target Field.
• Kids Backpack Giveaway at Target Field
• Wisconsin Artist Series Hat (Ric Stultz / Racine) at American Family Field
• Black Culture Fest (Community Night) at American Family Field
• Hank Aaron Replica Jersey at American Family Field
What to Budget
Estimates only — prices vary by availability
Tickets · 6 games (avg $46)$276
Hotels · 10 nights (avg $155)$1,550
Fuel · 1928 mi at $0.18/mi$347
Ballpark food & drinks$300
Total Estimate$2,473
* 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 ...