Rental Car
Pick Up Your Rental
Pick upCincinnati · Jun 16
Drop offChicago · Jun 22
Total miles515 mi
Getting There · Step 1
Stay Tonight · Cincinnati, OH
Hotel
Cincinnati Overnight
Check-inTue, Jun 16
Check-outWed, Jun 17
First pitch7:10 PM ET
Book near downtown or the ballpark so your first-game arrival stays simple.
DAY 1
Tuesday, June 16
First pitch at 7:10 PM ET — Cincinnati Reds vs. New York Mets at Great American Ball Park tonight. Don't leave without Cincinnati Chili Dog (Skyline).
Stop 01 of 04
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
Stay Tonight · Cincinnati, OH
Cincinnati Overnight
Check-inTue, Jun 16
Check-outWed, Jun 17
First pitch tomorrow at 7:40 PM ET. Leave by 11:08 AM.
Wed Morning
When to Depart
Leave by11:08 AM
Drive to Milwaukee408 mi · 7h
Game time7:40 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 → Milwaukee
408 mi · 7h · regional run
DAY 2
Wednesday, June 17
It's a 7h haul from Cincinnati — plan to break this into two days or drive the night before. First pitch at 7:40 PM ET — Milwaukee Brewers vs. Cleveland Guardians at American Family Field tonight. Tower of VW Bugs is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 02 of 04
Milwaukee, WI · Wed Jun 17
American Family Field
Milwaukee Brewers · MLB
7:40 PM ET
vs. Cleveland Guardians
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-inWed, Jun 17
Check-outThu, Jun 18
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 4
Friday, June 19
A short 1.8h drive from Milwaukee sets up the day. First pitch at 2:20 PM ET — Chicago Cubs vs. Toronto Blue Jays at Wrigley Field today — #BudFridays: Cubs 1930s Replica Jersey; Juneteenth Celebration today. Gemini Giant Wilmington is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 03 of 04
Chicago, IL · Fri Jun 19
Wrigley Field
Chicago Cubs · MLB
2:20 PM ET
vs. Toronto Blue Jays
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, Jun 19
Check-outSat, Jun 20
First pitch tomorrow at 7:40 PM ET. Leave by 6:07 PM.
Mon Morning
When to Depart
Leave by6:07 PM
Drive to Chicago3 mi · 0.1h
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
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 → Chicago
3 mi · 0.1h · easy leg
DAY 7
Monday, June 22
First pitch at 7:40 PM ET — Chicago White Sox vs. Cleveland Guardians at Guaranteed Rate Field tonight. Gemini Giant Wilmington is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 04 of 04
Chicago, IL · Mon Jun 22
Guaranteed Rate Field
Chicago White Sox · MLB
7:40 PM ET
vs. Cleveland Guardians
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
Shift 2 days to catch Fireworks Friday; Juneteenth at Great American Ball Park.
• Fireworks Friday; Juneteenth at Great American Ball Park
• #BudFridays: Cubs 1930s Replica Jersey; Juneteenth Celebration at Wrigley Field
• Reds Giveaway (TBD) at Great American Ball Park
• Father's Day T-Shirt; Youth Baseball & Softball Sunglasses at Wrigley Field
What to Budget
Estimates only — prices vary by availability
Tickets · 4 games (avg $46)$184
Hotels · 6 nights (avg $155)$930
Fuel · 515 mi at $0.18/mi$93
Ballpark food & drinks$200
Total Estimate$1,407
* 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 ...