Elkhart to Out West AFTER ACTION REPORT

Belgique wrote:
Touring Fleetwood next week then out west for the summer.

Best route from Elkhart towards Colorado Springs? We prefer back roads when it makes sense. 90/80 probably only option West of ELkhart?

While in Elkhart, you might want to visit the RV/MH Hall of Fame. They have a large display of RV's, Campers, and Motorhomes, most of which are displayed indoors. We found it an enjoyable stop.

Belgique wrote:
Thanks all! Great help and advice. 36 it is and looking forward to it and no interstates.

Suggestions on stops to make along 36? It seems Springfield and Lincoln stuff is worth a few days. Others? I have Prairie Dog SP in the plan.

Not sure how many miles you want to make each day but, we'll usually do Springfield to eastern KS in one day on US 36. For an overnight stop in NE KS, here are a couple suggestions which could break up your trip about right: Seneca, KS Bailey's Good Sam Park or on down the road 30 miles, Marysville Walmart or Marysville City Park Campground. Both little towns offer some neat history along the original Oregon Trail and both have quaint Pony Express Museums if that might be of interest.

Thanks all! Great help and advice. 36 it is and looking forward to it and no interstates.

Suggestions on stops to make along 36? It seems Springfield and Lincoln stuff is worth a few days. Others? I have Prairie Dog SP in the plan.

Living on the SW side of Indy we've been down rt 31 more than once. I would strongly suggest staying North of Carmel--traffic from there down into Indy is intense, almost any time of day. I haven't been on either in years but both US 24 and IN 32 should be good routes to start West. They are both 2 lane with a few small towns in IN. US 20 South of Elkhart West to US 31 is decent, but has a few trucks. Just did it last month.

Take US 36 all the way into Colorado. At Last Chance, CO, head south on CO 71 to Limon, where you'll pick up US 24 to Colorado Springs. Completely avoids interstates.

Doing that trip in reverse in July, but leaving from northern Colorado to north of Fort Wayne. Planning on taking US 34 east to KS 27 south to US 36, then all the way across to I-72 in Illinois, then I-57 north to US 24 to go in to Fort Wayne. I've done this route before and it's the easiest drive IMO. Already found places along the way to stop, planning on 3 days to do it.

CloudDriver wrote:
We have used route 36 across MO and KS several times. IMO much more relaxed driving than I80. Route 36 in MO is all divided highway, 2 lanes each side. In KS it is all 2 lane. Check MoDOT Traveler Info. for latest on road/bridge closures due to flooding. Right now looks OK at both Hannibal and St. Joseph. We have used Prairie Dog State Park in western KS for an overnight. From there you could pick up I70 to Route 36 to Colorado Springs.

I80 south of Chicago has terrible traffic and delays.

I agree. We just made the trip from KS to northern Michigan for the summer using US 36 in KS and Missouri and then I 72 on East. US 36 has been suffering from the record rains this spring so the recommendation to check road conditions is imperative. We went through Missouri 10 days ago and had only one issue at Chillichothe with water and had to detour there.

Locals often take Bypass 20 (south side) to IN 2 to US20 to I94. It's pretty straight and fast, and avoids the I90 tolls. It still gets the heavy (but usually fast) traffic across the south side of the Metro area, and a short piece of toll, before leaving the area on I80.

Belgique wrote:
Touring Fleetwood next week then out west for the summer.

Best route from Elkhart towards Colorado Springs?

We prefer back roads when it makes sense.

90/80 probably only option West of ELkhart?

NO - NO on the I 80-90 option - first get south of Chicago - another No - No :)

Then try something like This - Hannibal and RT 36 then I-70 to Golden

Or if The Sprigs is the Destination try This - a Diagonal off RT 36

Once we cross the Mississippi we rarely use the I's - these are Two Good Routes.

When we had our Coach built we did 6-8 trips back and forth to Wakarusa - Once on I-80 - Never again - couple times on I-70 too many trucks - then we found RT 36 that has been the route of Choice for the last 10-12 times.

I just read the earlier posts - we have used a couple of the Wal*Marts along the Route some more than once and then either dump just before Golden or in Golden. .:)

Best of Luck,

We went Fort Collins to Elkhart. 34 then dropped down to 36. Will always go that way. In Kansas, Prairie Dog State Park is a wonderful overnight stop. While in Elkhart try and visit Shipshewana. An amazing Amish community a few miles east with fabulous restaurants. Betsy.

Fantastic ideas folks. Just what looking for. From RV Trip Wizard it would appear that there campgrounds along 36 or at least close. Thanks!