we have 10 people leaving Friday for an Eminem/Rihanna concert in Detroit on Saturday. What is the best way to get there and avoid as much traffic as possible?? we will be leaving around 7:00 from Cedar Rapids and wanted to drive around 1/2 way and then finish the drive in the morning, any nice small towns that are decent to stay in? we have 2 rooms at the Hilton in downtown Detroit a block from Comerica Park, just wanting some ideas from people who have been there before... is downtown pretty safe?
Been to downtown Detroit once. During the day I felt pretty safe, provided I was close to Ford Field and Comerica. I wouldn't want to wonder around downtown though. At the same time, there are a couple casinos and a few bars around so I can't imagine it is terrible. Also since you will be there for an event you should have quite a few people around.
If you are leaving from DM/Ames around 7 it is around a 4 and 1/2 hours drive or a little more to the Chicago area, by that time at night you shouldn't hit any major traffic on interstate 80. Also if you stop short of Chicago and leave in the morning you should be fine on a Saturday morning on 80. And generally traffic towards Detroit isn't horrible once you get passed Gary, IN.
Not sure of where to tell you to stay, but if you do take 80 there are a lot of hotels along 80 between Joliet, IL and Hammond, IN.
Have fun, should be a good concert Eminem generally does a good job for his home city.
Edited: to prove my in ability to read so good. take an hour and half off, you should still be good on 80 getting through Chicago traffic at that time of night. Would get at least past Gary a few miles before stopping though.