since you are going to Yellowstone would recommend coming into Montana on I-94 and at Billings get on 212 which takes you on the bear tooth highway, one of the prettiest roads in country into Yellowstone, make loop at Yellowstone and take the south exit out and catch Teton NP in Wyoming which will bring you out at Jackson hole down to I-80 on Highway 89. that's just one suggestion but regardless of were you go have fun and you will see some beautiful country.
I would suggest coming into Montana on I-94 then taking 212 at Billings which will put you traveling the Bear Tooth Highway into Yellowstone. make loop around Yellowstone and come out at South entrance going into Teton NP which leads into Jackson hole. Take 89 down to I 80. regardless of which route you take you will be seeing some beautiful country.
R. Walter wrote: Have you ever been in between the coasts (west of the Mississippi) or is this the first time?
This is my first time as an adult. When I was an 8th grader we did a tour very similar to this with a teacher (hard to believe that a teacher would bring 6 8th graders cross country), although we hit alot more places and it was a month and a half instead of three weeks. I Have wanted to do this again since, and this is the best opportunity I have had. My girlfriend did a tour like this also back a few years ago with three other girls. They have some WILD stories about accidents and wildlife and such.... Im hoping this trip is a little tamer than theirs! I can't wait to get on the road! We leave on sunday a 6am.
If you're traveling early in the morning or dusk to late in the evening, be aware of deer and pronghorn may be on the highways. I don't think you'll encounter too much open range anymore but be aware cattle and other livestock sometime get on the roads as well. We want your trip to be safe as well as interesting.
Yeah, yeah... mother hen Bill. I had a number of friends at University of Wyoming who hit cows, horses, and deer. They all lived to tell about it. The critters were less fortunate.
Eugarps wrote: If you're traveling early in the morning or dusk to late in the evening, be aware of deer and pronghorn may be on the highways. I don't think you'll encounter too much open range anymore but be aware cattle and other livestock sometime get on the roads as well. We want your trip to be safe as well as interesting.
Yeah, yeah... mother hen Bill. I had a number of friends at University of Wyoming who hit cows, horses, and deer. They all lived to tell about it. The critters were less fortunate.
Bill
Thanks for the words of wisdom and concern. Im used to traveling in Maine, where a moose accident will end your trip and/or your life. If we hit something bigger than a raccoon in that little car, ours will be over too! I will be on the look out for sure.
I-80 in Iowa and Nebraska has lots of semi trucks. I would think I-90 up thru SD would be a lot less hectic driving. And yes, those pesky deer jump out in front of vehicles every chance they get. Especially during harvest.
Unless you have an important stop in Chicago, don't stop until the Black Hills. There's too much to see out west.
You can always make Chicago a long weekend by itself.
The DW and I did a similar trip in 1998 by car with tent, cook stove, etc... We had 26 days.
We left after work on Friday and pulled into a hotel near Badlands late Saturday night. We hit Mt. Rushmore, Devil's Tower, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Lake Tahoe, San Fran/Muir Woods (to see some redwoods), Yosemite, Sequoia, King's Canyon, San Diego, Las Vegas (to visit brother), Zion, Grand Canyon (North Rim), Bryce Canyon, Arches and Rocky Mt NP.
We actually had enough time to do some hikes. We biked in San Fran and across the Golden Gate Bridge and around the valley at Yosemite.
Our intent was to see as much as we could because we didn't know when we'd get back. And, if and when we did, we'd know where we wanted to spend more time.
Pulled into our driveway at 11pm Sunday night and had to be at work the next day. I would have gladly pulled back out and done the whole trip again.
We can't wait to go with the kids in a couple years. I've already told my boss that I'll be taking a month off when we do!
Good luck on the trip.
Chuck, Heidi, Jessica, Nicholas & Tan Puppy
2008 3/4-ton Yukon XL, Flagstaff 831BHSS
Equalizer Hitch and Prodigy
Boy, Do I envy you. It is so much fun to take a cross country trip. The trips that I have had the most fun on were the ones that I planned to see certain attractions that were clear across the country and discovered other interesting historical sites, museums and other attractions as I drove. Be sure to bring Tour guides for every state you are going to driving through and you won't miss the best things to see. Have a Great Trip and be sure to post lots of photos.
cjoseph wrote: Unless you have an important stop in Chicago, don't stop until the Black Hills. There's too much to see out west.
You can always make Chicago a long weekend by itself.
The DW and I did a similar trip in 1998 by car with tent, cook stove, etc... We had 26 days.
We left after work on Friday and pulled into a hotel near Badlands late Saturday night. We hit Mt. Rushmore, Devil's Tower, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Lake Tahoe, San Fran/Muir Woods (to see some redwoods), Yosemite, Sequoia, King's Canyon, San Diego, Las Vegas (to visit brother), Zion, Grand Canyon (North Rim), Bryce Canyon, Arches and Rocky Mt NP.
We actually had enough time to do some hikes. We biked in San Fran and across the Golden Gate Bridge and around the valley at Yosemite.
Our intent was to see as much as we could because we didn't know when we'd get back. And, if and when we did, we'd know where we wanted to spend more time.
Pulled into our driveway at 11pm Sunday night and had to be at work the next day. I would have gladly pulled back out and done the whole trip again.
We can't wait to go with the kids in a couple years. I've already told my boss that I'll be taking a month off when we do!
Good luck on the trip.
Its nice to know someone else has done this! Everyone thinks we are crazy. I have a friend in Chicago to visit with, so its double duty now, and I probably would never need to go back there (its a busy month if I leave the the town I live in)
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