Driving from Chicago to Washington DC

Our route is flexible, but I was wondering if anyone had any close to the highway must stop food destinations along the way. We are likely traveling on both Christmas and New Year's Day, so bonus if they are likely the type of place open on either holiday. Also, a 14-year-old boy, 12-year-old girl, and 4-year-old girl in tow, but they are pretty adventurous when it comes to food.

Thanks!

Here's a suggestion for route. I'd suggest I-65 to Indianapolis, I-70 to just south of Pittsburgh, I-79 to Morgantown WV, I-68 to where it joins with I-70, and then I-70 into DC. There are several good reasons for taking this route rather than the more traditional "toll road" route:

• Many more dining options
• No worries about lake-effect snow in Indiana and Ohio
• Savings of more than $50 in tolls
• Eliminate going through Breezewood PA, home of one of the only stoplights on the Interstate System and the cause of multi-mile backups

Should you choose the "toll road" route, one dining option is Michael Symon's burger joint called B Spot. There's a location just a couple minutes off the I-71 exit of the Ohio Turnpike in Strongsville. If non-HFCS soda is of interest, you can also stop at the Giant Eagle across the street from B Spot for some Coke products. The Cleveland bottler of Coke was the only one in the country that didn't convert to using HFCS.

Great tips! Thanks for the route info. I guess we have to start searching for XMAS dinner in Indianapolis or Columbus or in between.

Anyone?

If you go through Cincinnati, Jungle Jim's enormous grocery (aisles for individual countries, and it has a monorail) is worth a stop.

If you go past Cleveland, the West Side market is a carnivore's delight and only a small detour from the Interstate.