". . . but I have MILES TO GO before I sleep, miles to go before I sleep." Robert Frost

one of the more stressful trips I take fairly often is across Ohio and Indiana. Traveling the north or central part of the state (north of I-70 which goes through Columbus and Indianapolis)most company drivers are required to take surface roads and not on the quicker toll roads. The Ohio and Indiana turnpikes can get you across the 400 miles very quickly and very safely, but the tolls are expensive for a truck (about $15 for Indiana and about $35 for Ohio) so companies won't authorize their use unless time is of the essence or a pick-up or delivery is very near the highway. The surface route (I usually take US 224 then US 6, slightly south of that would be US 30) goes through small towns which means your average speed is brought WAY down and the trip will take an hour or so longer. Today I left at 10am and arrived at 6pm for an average of 50mph. Add to that the fact that there is more local traffic, more stop signs, cross streets, cross walks, less snow removal, etc, and the local trip leaves a driver open to a much higher chance of an accident. I hate it, but I rarely can afford to dip into my own pocket for $60 just to save the hassel and an hour's time.
Today found a lot of snow covered stretches of road (the US highways are small 2 lanes, sometimes with a shoulder, sometimes without) especially across the 150 miles of Indiana. Oh yeah, I forgot to add Amish horse and buggies to list of hazards! Oh well, got across with little problem, no ice but some snow, never did see the sunshine before dusk came though I did finally see the orange glow in th eclouds at sunset about 20 miles east of Chicago. Tomorrow should be sunny and clear!