Ambitious! Say hi to me when you get to ChiTown!

Many options for the drive from Denver to Sacramento.  Looks like time will be tight.  Reach out if you want suggestions other than the minimum time route your GPS will suggest.

Cleveland is quite close to Pittsburgh. If the schedule works I would do Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Toronto, Detroit, WhiteSox, Cubs then Brewers. 

The negative of my suggestion is you would be watching Mariners play both Pittsburgh and Cleveland on successive days. 

Awesome! Enjoy!

A road trip with your pup sounds like a great way to spend your summer. Here's a pretty comprehensive list of Bark at the Park nights in MLB. Hopefully you can line up a couple of nights so your dog can enjoy a hot dog and ballpark festivities too! 

https://citydogmagazine.com/dog-friendly-baseball-games/

As far as ticket plans, that's exactly what I would do too. No reason to spend more money on a ticket when your intention is to get the ballpark experience vs. the individual game you're attending. 

Let us know about any excellent stadium food which you enjoy. Have fun. I look forward to your reports. Also you can probably take pre-game tours at many of these ball parks. 

Awesome plan.

In the road trip food department, I can offer the following…

Chicago to Cincy: I’m from Iowa. In my mind, the best breaded pork tenderloins are in the Hawkeye State. However, Indiana claims to have invented them and tries to proclaim itself as having the best. Again, it doesn’t. However, there are two worthy options that would require only a slight detour from Interstate 65 between Chicago and Indianapolis. One-Eyed Jack’s in Winamac is excellent. Technically it’s battered rather than breaded, so some prefer Jonesy’s Junction in Akron, which would be a slightly longer detour. In reality, neither will add a huge distance, since all roads in Indiana lead to Indy. You just might take more 4 lane than interstate. 
 

Cleveland to Milwaukee: You’ll be going across northern Indiana on the Indiana Toll Road (80/90). Midway through the state, you can hop off the road about 10 miles for the Amish buffet at the Essenhaus in Middlebury. Save room for pie. Alternatively, order off the menu so you have time to stop a few miles away at the most amazing Amish donut place you can imagine, Rise ‘N Roll, also near Middlebury. Better yet, get the buffet AND go to the donut place to get several for later. Closer to the interstate, at the Elkhart exit, is the Flippin’ Cow, home to the Stella Moo, a burger topped with brisket, bacon, onion straws and bbq sauce. Legitimately one of the best burgers I’ve ever had, but not as unique as the Amish experience near Middlebury. For any of these, let me know when you are going through. If it works for my schedule, lunch is on me. 

Jeez.

It took me 60 years to see all of the stadiums. You'll knock it out in a summer. 

First thought: I may be late since you are in motion but... I highly recommend Fort Myers. One day at the Twins complex. The access to the players is unbelievable. 

Other Thoughts:

Squeeze in Lake Tahoe Between Denver and Sacramento. Just stop and get some ice cream and look at the clear water for a bit and drive on. 

From San Francisco to Los Angeles... Take the Pacific Coast Highway. It's the most beautiful drive in America. Stop at the Elephant Seal Nookery and watch them bite each other. For food... Stop in San Luis Opispo and find a nice restaurant with outdoor seating and enjoy the food the weather and this beautiful city. 

From Arizona to Dallas. Do not stop and see "The Thing". No matter how many billboards you see telling you to stop and see "The Thing". Don't do it. 

From Dallas to Houston. Stop in Lockhart Texas for BBQ. It's a little off the beaten path but... It's Texas BBQ in the BBQ Capital. 

Chicago... Try the Italian Beef. WET... Make sure it is WET. 

Cincinatti... Skyline Chili. 

Pittsburgh... Have a Primanti Brothers Sandwich. You didn't go to Pittsburgh if you don't have this sandwich. Also... I recommend going up on Mt. Washington at night for an incredible city light view with the rivers surrounding the city. 

Milwaukee: Tailgate... Definitely Tailgate. 

Seattle: Pike Place Market

On 3/13/2026 at 5:33 PM, Riverbrian said:

Jeez.

It took me 60 years to see all of the stadiums. You'll knock it out in a summer. 

First thought: I may be late since you are in motion but... I highly recommend Fort Myers. One day at the Twins complex. The access to the players is unbelievable. 

Other Thoughts:

Squeeze in Lake Tahoe Between Denver and Sacramento. Just stop and get some ice cream and look at the clear water for a bit and drive on. 

From San Francisco to Los Angeles... Take the Pacific Coast Highway. It's the most beautiful drive in America. Stop at the Elephant Seal Nookery and watch them bite each other. For food... Stop in San Luis Opispo and find a nice restaurant with outdoor seating and enjoy the food the weather and this beautiful city. 

From Arizona to Dallas. Do not stop and see "The Thing". No matter how many billboards you see telling you to stop and see "The Thing". Don't do it. 

From Dallas to Houston. Stop in Lockhart Texas for BBQ. It's a little off the beaten path but... It's Texas BBQ in the BBQ Capital. 

Chicago... Try the Italian Beef. WET... Make sure it is WET. 

Cincinatti... Skyline Chili. 

Pittsburgh... Have a Primanti Brothers Sandwich. You didn't go to Pittsburgh if you don't have this sandwich. Also... I recommend going up on Mt. Washington at night for an incredible city light view with the rivers surrounding the city. 

Milwaukee: Tailgate... Definitely Tailgate. 

Seattle: Pike Place Market

I was able to knock off the last three a few years ago at 47, though I since needed to revisit Texas. I'm trying to decide whether Sacramento counts and whether I'm still in the Every Ballpark Club as a result. There seems an obvious solution, but it's not been discussed with Mrs. IT. 

PCH: High on the bucket list. I'd actually love to drive it one direction and take Amtrak the other. 

Pittsburgh: The other place where I'd consider splurging for an upgrade is PNC. The view from behind the plate may be the best in baseball. Of course, a Thursday game with the Marlins ought to be move downable. If not, the usher must be brutal.

Milwaukee: Yes, tailgate. Even if it means stopping at a hardware store for one of those little disposable grills. 

Pike Place Market: Specifically the Pike Place Market Chowder Sampler. And the Daily Dozen Doughnut. The cinnamon, oh my...

Also, the day before you celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary with a Royals game, get to KC on Saturday in time to visit the Negro League Baseball Museum if you've not already been there.

If you have time for only one baseball-related add-on during the trip, that would be my recommendation. Bonus is that you are around the corner from Arthur Bryant's, one of the original classic KC BBQ spots.  

Sounds like a most excellent adventure!  Reader's of this blog might be interested in this book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18668201-i-don-t-care-if-we-never-get-back