From South to OSH - good fuel stop midway (HUF) and fartheset north (MSN)?

[ChopAndDrop]

What's a good airport that I can stop-in? flight planning from the South (DCU) on sat or sunday (22st / 23nd)
Two questions: 1) good mid-point stopover for fuel and 2) farthest north to make my "last stop" before joining the arrival. Depending on weather, i might do it all in one day so arrive later sat/sunday afternoon, or if there's weather then I'll overnight as far north as I can then join arrival in the morning (what I did last year).

Midway stop:
HUF (Terra Haute Regional Indiana) is exactly halfway for me, so a good place just stop at HUF or other recommendations around there? They appear to have a restaurant on-site, and I'm traveling with Family, so big plus for stopping here with food on-site.

Farthest north stop before joining the arrival:
Last year I stopped in Rockford IL, the airport was good, the town around it was ... okay?. got a hotel and flew-in to OSH the next morning (just as the Airventure ATIS turned IFR to VFR).

This year what's the farthest north to fuel-stop / overnight while still being far enough away to 1) pickup an IFR clearance if necessary and 2) be in a good position to join the Fisk arrival.

I'm traveling with family, so nice facilities are preferred vs the cheapest gas around with nothing there (e.g. don't want to land at a place that is unattended).

Is Madison Wisconsin going to be too crazy I should not go there? It looks like Madison area airports fall under the Special Traffic Management Program (STMP) and you need a reservation to arrive/depart IFR, so that answers my question "its too crazy they don't want you there without a reservation"... too bad, there's good hotel options there.

something like JVL Southern Wisconsin Regional (just north of IL/WI line, Janesville Wi) is a no-go for me because no good hotel options in that small town. Some of these small towns you land and cannot get an Uber/Lyft and seems like JVL is that kinda small.

so... maybe Rockford is good enough but would prefer to be farther north (out of Illinois) if I can, any suggestions?

 

[Martin Pauly]

What day are you planning to go?

There are pre-Oshkosh events which many people plan into their journey. They are fun, and they facilitate an early arrival at Fisk the day you fly to Oshkosh.

Friday July 21 is “Rock the Ramp” in Middleton, WI (suburb of Madison).

Thursday July 20 is the large “Third Thursday BBQ” in Mason City, IA.

Both places allow camping on the field and have nearby hotels, too.

There are probably other, similar events targeted to pilots who are on their way to Oshkosh.

if you are arriving later, once AirVenture has started, and you’re just looking for an easy overnight before heading to OSH in the morning, my first choice would be Madison, WI. Get an IFR slot or plan to arrive/depart VFR. It’s a short ride into town with many hotels and restaurants. Just look at room availability before you go - I’ve seen Madison hotels get pretty full during AirVenture.

- Martin

 

[ChopAndDrop]

What day are you planning to go?

Sorry should have made that more obvious in my post: I Plan to arrive Saturday/Sunday 22/23rd.
I'll have my kids with me, and I'm afraid if I arrive too early they will "wear out" and get bored waiting-around for 2 days before the real show gets started (e.g. last year I got there and there weren't even any food vendor setup yet on the first day I was there, luckily I brought some of my own food)

Thanks for telling me about the "Rock the Ramp" event the friday, Looks like its a good place to stop at C29, but I don't think I'll be able to depart Friday morning to get there.

Of course all of this is based on whatever the weather does that weekend.

On that weekend, can I fly-in to Madison Wi (MSN) VFR and not be turned-away?

I will be on an IFR flight plan when I leave HUF, but I can always just file to JVL then cancel IFR and go-in VFR to Madison or C29 since they are under STMP but would still accept VFR arrivals ?

 

[Pinecone]

AirNav has a planner that will find you the cheapest fuel for stops.

 

[ChopAndDrop]

AirNav has a planner that will find you the cheapest fuel for stops.

If I was by myself that would be fine, but That's not what I'm looking for, since I'm traveling with family this time.
Often the "cheapest fuel around" is an unattended airport with no Uber/Lyft available, no food nearby, no Mechanic to help if you have a problem, no good hotels nearby, etc.

 

[Martin Pauly]

On that weekend, can I fly-in to Madison Wi (MSN) VFR and not be turned-away?

I'm hoping somebody local will chime in and confirm. I don't think I'd expect any problems with flying to Madison VFR, but I've not tried that myself during Oshkosh. It would also be prudent to confirm a parking spot with the FBO ahead of time (in addition to a hotel in town).

- Martin

 

[Jim K]

HUF has an excellent restaurant, although I think their fuel is a bit pricey. DNV usually has the cheapest fuel in the state, but no convenient food. MTO has a good restaurant, fairly reasonable fuel, and the last couple years they've had an OSH special that's actually a really great price. They also have a drawing for some gift cards they'll put you in if you buy gas. I won a $50 card a couple years ago, and I was just there for lunch lol.

 

[baboss]

My experience coming up the days/weekend before Oshkosh from Central IL, VFR:

KJVL is my regular stop before OSH. Not usually too terribly busy, longish runways, has a restaurant, self-serve fuel if you want. Nice FBO, bathrooms, lounge, planning room, snacks and vending. Uber ride into town is not too bad, I think it was $20ish a couple years ago but the airport is out there a ways. Janesville is plenty big with restaurants and hotels. Cirrus to Oshkosh base out of there but they seem to be a smallish group and there's always been ramp space and good service for me. Pretty sure they have maintenance available but haven't had to use it, knock on wood.

KMSN can get real busy and you might be waiting to get fueled for a while with transient military, Jets, medivac. Restaurant can get slammed pre/during Oshkosh so don't bank on that. Plenty of food/hotel options as well as Uber. Ate a cylinder one year on a Friday and they tore right into things. They're a big shop with all kinds of capabilities so that's a plus.

 

[mandm]

Burlington KBUU will have the cheapest fuel in the area.

 

[flyingron]

Burlington is a where I plan. My other favorite is 02C which has a Subway and Culvers just off the field.

 

[ChopAndDrop]

FYI, another option I found with an on-site restaurant (?) is Decatur IL, (KDEC), about the middle of Illinois. FBO is Gaitros Aviation. The restaurant "The Main Hangar Restaurant" or maybe name changed to "Everyone's East End Grill" ??? (what Google Maps shows).
I cannot find much info on it, they have a Facebook page but it requires a login and I don't use Facebook (on purpose) so can't tell if they are still open.
Its too far South for me (want to be farther north to the WI state line before I stop), but just mentioning this as an option I found for on-field Restaurant.

Edit to add: looks like their main website is down, so good chance they are closed/abandoned. Foreflight comments says someone went there on a Monday and they were closed, not sure if that means they are closed just on Mondays or they are closed out-of-business.

Edit 2: I mentioned DEC / Gaitros Aviation because it's on AOPA's list of discounts for Airventure:
https://www.eaa.org/airventure/eaa-fly-in-flying-to-oshkosh/fuel-service-and-discounts?uid=58418

DKB (De Kalb IL) is another on that list, just west of Chicago's Class B.

 

[ChopAndDrop]

MTO has a good restaurant, fairly reasonable fuel, and the last couple years they've had an OSH special that's actually a really great price.

Oooh.... MTO has the "Airport Steakhouse" I like the sound of that... thanks for the info.
distance-wise, its about the same as HUF, but MTO is more "along the way" (staying West of Chicago Class B) so MTO is a great option, thanks for telling us about it.

 

[Jim K]

FYI, another option I found with an on-site restaurant (?) is Decatur IL, (KDEC), about the middle of Illinois. FBO is Gaitros Aviation. The restaurant "The Main Hangar Restaurant" or maybe name changed to "Everyone's East End Grill" ??? (what Google Maps shows).
I cannot find much info on it, they have a Facebook page but it requires a login and I don't use Facebook (on purpose) so can't tell if they are still open.
Its too far South for me (want to be farther north to the WI state line before I stop), but just mentioning this as an option I found for on-field Restaurant.

Edit to add: looks like their main website is down, so good chance they are closed/abandoned. Foreflight comments says someone went there on a Monday and they were closed, not sure if that means they are closed just on Mondays or they are closed out-of-business.

Restaurant at DEC is open AFAIK. I haven't been there, but it was a popular restaurant in town that moved to the bigger space at the airport when it became available. I hear good things about it. I haven't gone because I've also heard that the FBO is charging a $10 ramp fee, and the only access to the restaurant is through them.

Rochelle (RPJ) has an awesome restaurant and reasonable fuel. It's up by Chicago and would be a reasonable last stop before OSH. Maybe 200nm?

Oooh.... MTO has the "Airport Steakhouse" I like the sound of that... thanks for the info.
distance-wise, its about the same as HUF, but MTO is more "along the way" (staying West of Chicago Class B) so MTO is a great option, thanks for telling us about it.

Don't get too excited...it's diner-type food. You can't actually even get a steak there lol. It is very good and reasonably priced though. The kids like to go there, so we drive 15mi north to CMI and then fly 30mi south to MTO.

 

[EdFred]

OXI for fuel in Indiana. No food though. Check notams to see if runway is finished.

 

[Pinecone]

If I was by myself that would be fine, but That's not what I'm looking for, since I'm traveling with family this time.
Often the "cheapest fuel around" is an unattended airport with no Uber/Lyft available, no food nearby, no Mechanic to help if you have a problem, no good hotels nearby, etc.

It gives you a starting point.

And you can filter by things like a longer runway, which is more likely to have more there.

 

[Mtns2Skies]

I'm hoping somebody local will chime in and confirm.

You won't get turned away, but the ramp is *VERY* full of jets at this time. The Madison controllers also tend to be pretty grumpy during OSH, so either be on your game or plan for elsewhere.

KLNR is a beautiful airport in the driftless area of WI and has an on-airport restaurant. Reasonable fuel too.

 

[Larry Korona]

I've always used MSN as my jump off point for KOSH, arrive IFR, no issues and no need for any reservation. Nice restaurant right in the FBO, only downside is for some unknown reason they insist on keeping their normal hours and close at 2:00. FBO is top notch service and they keep up with the increased traffic very well. I grab a bite to eat and the plane is fueled by the end of lunch. Nice easy hop to OSH I like to have full tanks and stomach and empty bladder when I'm heading into the event

 

[fyrmdc]

I’ve used MSN the past few years on the Friday before when flying in. The ramp gets a little crowded but they always had room, fueled me as requested and I had a ride (either hotel provided or Uber) to my hotel and back. Hotels were available from around $100 and up for a Marriott property. I did not need a reservation for IFR any of the times I flew in.

Dave

 

[RyanB]

Often the "cheapest fuel around" is an unattended airport with no Uber/Lyft available, no food nearby, no Mechanic to help if you have a problem, no good hotels nearby, etc.

Exactly. This needs to be said louder for those in the back.

 

[Randomskylane]

Do area fbos raise fuel pricing the week before Oshkosh? If ff is correct, kjvl has 100ll at 5.65 rn.

 

[Justin M]

I second the vote for 02C. It's a small airport on the edge of Brookfield WI, a suburb of Milwaukee. Fuel is cheap, restaurants in walking distance (Culvers for fast food and a Jakes' steakhouse come to mind), Uber is easy and available. The people are fantastic. The building is accessible to a person who knows the CTAF.

KMWC and KUES are very close if weather requires an IFR approach or you want a mechanic.

 

[Craig]

Depending on the kids age, might think about Baraboo for a full day or two stop. Take the kids to see the Circus World Museum. Well worth the day there, at least when I was a kid.

 

[ChopAndDrop]

Looks like the weather is going to be clear all the way (south to north) so finding a hotel overnight is not going to be a factor anymore.

I thought about making this a 1-stop trip, but then I’d have to arrive at Endeavor Bridge with only 1.5 hours of fuel left, not a smart idea. So I still need to stop somewhere IL/WI state line, make sure I enter the arrival line with full fuel and a clear head.

is Bessie’s Diner still open at JVL (Janesville)?
I’m worried about getting caught in the group arrival times on Saturday, but @baboss said it should be okay, so I might try that.

 

[baboss]

is Bessie’s Diner still open at JVL (Janesville)?
I’m worried about getting caught in the group arrival times on Saturday, but @baboss said it should be okay, so I might try that.

Bessie's: As far as I know but call them to be sure. They can get busy on the weekends.

Group Arrivals: I don't recall saying not to worry about group arrivals on Saturday. If you're talking about the Cirrus group at JVL they will tie up space and resources at JVL but here's their schedule to plan around: https://www.cirruspilots.org/Events/c2a-mass-arrival-osh23
As far as the other group arrivals at OSH I'd plan around them as well. They generally tie up 18/36 and the conga line taxiing takes some time to clear out. The mass arrivals force everyone else to the other runway. It works well when conditions are good and no one prangs it and shuts down a runway!

 

[sourdough44]

If you like the larger airports, Waukesha could work?

 

[aggie06]

Late to the party here, but I can’t say enough good things about the FBO at MSN. I stop there every year. Fuel is reasonable, people are nice, and they have reasonable after hours/weekend/emergency maintenance rates. If you can grab a hotel near the Capitol building, that is a nice area with walkable restaurants, etc. Then it’s a quick flight up to whatever start point there is for the Fisk arrival the next morning. They took MSN off the IFR reservation list a couple years ago, so you don’t even need to worry about that as a backup now.

 

[flyingcheesehead]

Burlington KBUU will have the cheapest fuel in the area.

Usually, but not right now. I went to all of the usual fuel stops to update the prices in ForeFlight before the show (#notallheroeswearcapes).
KBUU Burlington is $5.09
57C East Troy a few miles north is $4.99
KEFT Monroe, near the state line SSW of MSN, is at $4.85.

Oooh.... MTO has the "Airport Steakhouse" I like the sound of that... thanks for the info.
distance-wise, its about the same as HUF, but MTO is more "along the way" (staying West of Chicago Class B) so MTO is a great option, thanks for telling us about it.

Yeah, don't expect Ruth's Chris or anything though. LOL It's pretty much just a little diner.

If you like the larger airports, Waukesha could work?

I'm based at UES, used to be based at MSN. UES is more expensive than MSN and has no restaurant. Given the choice, I'd go to MSN.

To the OP: There are a LOT of good places to stop. It really depends on what you want. It sounds like you want fuel and don't care if it's not the cheapest, and you want food.

Food on the field: (Fuel source)
KMSN (FBO)
KJVL (FBO) Note that they do have one controller who probably shouldn't be a controller so keep on your game.

Food within a reasonably easy walk:
KRYV (FBO assisted SS)
02C (SS)
C35 (FBO/SS)
C59 Lake Lawn Resort - Call first, I haven't been there in a long time. Also, I don't think they have fuel.

Food with courtesy car or other transport:
KDLL (FBO/SS) Casino just north of the airport will send a shuttle to pick you up and has a couple restaurant options.
KRAC (FBO) Courtesy car, plenty of nearby options
KOVS (SS) Courtesy car.
KMKE (FBO x3) Not very piston friendly but if you don't mind fee$ there won't be a ton of piston traffic there and all three FBOs have courtesy cars.

All of the above are in Wisconsin - Generally, WI has better fuel prices than IL, and of course you'll be pretty close to OSH once you're in WI. If you want a south-of-the-border stop, KRPJ has excellent food, just keep your eye out for meat missiles. If you want to head up the Chicago lakeshore which is pretty cool, KIGQ has Lynnie Que's BBQ and there's a little Mexican joint, Mi Tierra, at 05C.

Have an excellent trip!

 

[Justin M]

I’ve flown into kmke several times in a 182 and the folks at av flight are very nice. They have a crew car too.