I have heard anecdotal evidence of Penguins fans buying tickets online to games at Joe Louis Arena. Indeed, I heard those stories even before either team had actually won their 4th game of the previous round. Said news reports point up the fact that Detroit is only 4.5 hours drive from Pittsburgh. Just as a word of caution, though, while that time estimate might usually be right . . .
MDOT has completely closed I-75 south of Detroit. The major project in Pittsburgh right now is the “missing ramps” project on the Parkway West @ I-79. But both roads are still open save some occassional weekend closures. Well, the major project in Detroit is also much-needed; connecting the Ambassador Bridge and Windsor, Ontario directly to I-75 so people do not have to get off the bridge and drive through neighborhoods that are scary by Detroit standards. Well, to do this project correctly, they closed I-75 completely. Detour time! People coming from Pittsburgh will still want to get off the Ohio Turnpike at Exit 71 to take I-280 past downtown Toledo, utilizing the new Glass City Skyway and connect with I-75 to Michigan. But just north of Monroe you’ll need to detour by taking I-275 towards Detroit Airport. You should probably go all the way up to the Airport and connect with I-94 into the downtown area and Joe Louis Arena, but that will add some time to the trip. So beware, and watch out for flying octupus once you are inside the Arena. Go Pens!
