Forum Discussion

Maine-iacs's avatar
Maine-iacs
Explorer
Mar 05, 2021

Maine to Yellowstone

It's a long darn trip from here to there. What are the things I should stop and see and enjoy along the way?
  • I took I90 to you great state a number of years ago & would recommend it all the way to Yellowstone.

    I bypass Chicago by taking I80 west to I39 north. I39 ties back into I90 west.

    In Wisconsin at the junction of I90/I94 & state Rt33 is a nice campground that could be used to see the Baraboo area. Places like: Circus World Museum, Devil's Lake SP, Mid-Contenant Railway Museum, Mirror Lake SP. If you can get reservations at ether state park that would be my first choice. Both are close to the Wisconsin Dells. The Dells is a major tourest trap. Lots of family fun for a day or two. One of those been there done that places.

    Continuing west on I90 there is the Spam Museum along with the places already mentioned above by rr2254545.

    From the Black Hills area on I90 west one can make a day trip to Devil’s Tower.

    Hope this helps….
  • Crowe wrote:
    As others have said, it depends on how much time you have.

    Been that way twice, took I90 both ways, both times, no issues, no stops other than to sleep overnight. Make sure you either bypass Chicago or get on I90 Express.

    Wall Drug-Meh. It's a ghost of it's former self.
    Badlands NP
    Wind Cave NP
    Custer State Park-most definitely. Bison herd is amazing.
    Bear Country USA-Rapid City
    Mount Rushmore
    Keystone, SD-absolute tourist trip, kitschy and fun
    Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center-West Yellowstone, MT


    Let me add for you to look into;

    Emerald Cave

    Needles drive

    Crazy Horse

    Sylvan Lake

    Town of Custer

    Rushmore at dark

    Rushmore in the early morning

    On the way to Yellowstone Wind River Canyon - drive is beautiful

    RT 26 through Dubois to Tetons and then on to Yellowstone

    Idaho

    Flaming Gorge - Manila

    Dino NM

    Just a short list,
  • bukhrn's avatar
    bukhrn
    Explorer III
    TenOC wrote:
    How long do you have to make the trip -- 3 to 6 months????

    One can see the main points of YS in 2 days, or you can spend a life time seeing YS. I suggest you look at the route that the guide bus tours take to see the south west in a week or so to help you plan your time..

    1. A day or a 1/2 day drive through the Badlands of SD

    2. A week to see the 5 national parks in SW Utah.

    3. A day to see Grand Teton NP

    You need to make reservations soon!!!!!
    It basically depends on your available time, as TenOC said 2 days (you won't see much) or a lifetime, first trip to Yellowstone, we spent 9 days there, second trip spent 14 days, could've spent more, it all depends on personal choice.
    Also timing is important, spring back here in the east, (even in Maine) is generally April, Yellowstone, may still have snow in some places late May-early June.
  • As others have said, it depends on how much time you have.

    Been that way twice, took I90 both ways, both times, no issues, no stops other than to sleep overnight. Make sure you either bypass Chicago or get on I90 Express.

    Wall Drug-Meh. It's a ghost of it's former self.
    Badlands NP
    Wind Cave NP
    Custer State Park-most definitely. Bison herd is amazing.
    Bear Country USA-Rapid City
    Mount Rushmore
    Keystone, SD-absolute tourist trip, kitschy and fun
    Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center-West Yellowstone, MT
  • Take a northern route west and a southern route east if you can. Keep an eye on weather as you'll be in the "ally". Sounds like a great trip and I agree w/ others, if you can, take your time. We went to Mt Rushmore in '99 via Lincoln Town Car and back in a week.

    Highlights of that trip:
    John Deere HQ in Moline IL
    Cabela's in Sidney NB (largest store at that time)
    Mt Rushmore
    Crazyhorse
    Badlands
    Wall Drugs (tourist trap)
    Arctic Cat HQ in Their River Falls MN
    Macinaw Bridge (friggin' awesome!!)

    Spent lot of windshield time, but had a great time. Would like to go back to re-visit places and to see ones we didn't see.
  • Maine-iacs wrote:
    It's a long darn trip from here to there. What are the things I should stop and see and enjoy along the way?


    Would seem that the mission should be to get to the Mississippi River - then head to the Rockies.

    Might let the group know your time frame.

    What do you enjoy - hiking - driving - mountains - water - animals - skyline - National Parks - ...................

    We spent the entire summer just in the Rockies last year and only saw a small portion.

    Help us our,
  • TenOC wrote:
    How long do you have to make the trip -- 3 to 6 months????

    One can see the main points of YS in 2 days, or you can spend a life time seeing YS. I suggest you look at the route that the guide bus tours take to see the south west in a week or so to help you plan your time..

    1. A day or a 1/2 day drive through the Badlands of SD

    2. A week to see the 5 national parks in SW Utah.

    3. A day to see Grand Teton NP

    You need to make reservations soon!!!!!


    Geez that's the fly bye and say you've been there plan. Better to concentrate on fewer parks and really see them.
    Let us know what you like to do, hike? And what RV do you have?
  • How long do you have to make the trip -- 3 to 6 months????

    One can see the main points of YS in 2 days, or you can spend a life time seeing YS. I suggest you look at the route that the guide bus tours take to see the south west in a week or so to help you plan your time..

    1. A day or a 1/2 day drive through the Badlands of SD

    2. A week to see the 5 national parks in SW Utah.

    3. A day to see Grand Teton NP

    You need to make reservations soon!!!!!
  • Recommend taking the southern route I90
    Cool places to visit enroute

    Corn Palace
    Wall Drug
    Badlands national Park
    Mt Rushmore
    Cody -Buffalo Bill Center of the West
    Custer State Park