Minnesota to South Florida?

[pizzazsdaddy]

Maybe you loopers can answer this question. Which is a shorter trip? Minneapolis to South Florida. Lakes to the coast? or Mississippi? Approx how many days? Or would shipping a 40-45 footer from up there be cheaper and easier? I could sure use some input on this one.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

TheRivers are shorter, especially from Minnesota since you would have to back track up the Illinois to get into the Lakes. But if it was mine, I'd take advantage of the summer on the lakes and visit the best cruising area in the country by going through the North Channel, Georgian Bay, and the Trent-Severn before heading south.

I actually met a couple who has sailed around the world and they called the North Channel the "gold standard" and said that nothing compared anywhere that they had sailed. That's saying something.

 

[Freeebird]

The Mississippi to the Ohio, the Tennessee, the Tenn-Tom to the GOM, and either Okeechobee or The Keys. Most of it is a very pretty trip. Time obviously depends on cruising speed, but you're downstream for most of it. By the time you reach the Ohio, you'll be more than ready to get off the Mississippi. It's pretty dismal from Saint Louis south

Biggest problem with calculating time beyond cruising speed involves the numerous locks. There is always a chance to lose several hours at each one based on barge traffic.

 

[Bill Root]

We did the loop a few years ago. The inland river route is definitely the shortest, and also the least challenging.
Travel time depends on a number of factors: cruising speed, weather, time of year, lock congestion and if you will travel during daylight hours only (definitely recommended. You don't want to be out at night with all the barge traffic on the rivers). I would budget ten to 14 days. Give me some specifics and I can get you a better estimate.