Forum Discussion

Cup_fan's avatar
Cup_fan
Explorer
Feb 28, 2014

Nebraska routes 2/385

We are planning a trip to the Black hills this summer, and are exploring different route options. I like to stay off the Interstates whenever possible while towing, but we do plan on taking I-29 out of Kansas City to Nebraska City. Then I-80 to Grand Island. We would like to take Highway 2 out of Grand Island to Highway 385 and into the Black Hills from the south. Has anyone traveled this route from Grand Island to the Black Hills with an RV? I've explored this route on Google Earth and it looks to be a pretty good highway with gently rolling hills. I seems as though it would be a nice, leisurely, un-crowded drive with some nice scenery, which is what we would like. (which is also why I don't like the interstates) I would also be open to some different route options, but I am curious about this one.
Roads and Routes
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Feb 28, 2014
    If you are going through Nebraska City and Grand Island for routing reasons, only, I would suggest cutting off at St. Joe and coming across US 36 to US 83 and then going north to NB 2.
  • Cup_fan's avatar
    Cup_fan
    Explorer
    Feb 28, 2014
    Thanks enblethen for the tip. That is definitely one option, as there a few different ways to get to Grand Island. The route that I was looking at through Nebraska City is only tentative and definitely subject to change. I am more interested in the 2/385 route as to whether this a good highway to tow an RV on and is the scenery worth taking this route.
  • taviking22's avatar
    taviking22
    Explorer
    Feb 28, 2014
    Both Highway 2 and 385 are very good routes both from grade changes and condition. Hwy 2 will take you through the Sandhills region of Nebraska. Hwy 385 is an obvious choice to take you into SD and the Black Hills.

    This is the route we often take from Omaha (via Hwy 92 to Hwy 2) to the Black Hills. We have camped at Halsey National Forest, and at Chadron and Fort Robinson State Parks. Chadron SP is our favorite for camping because of its RV site choices and scenery. Fort Robinson just to the SW of Chadron, is historic because it exposes you to frontier life on the high plains in the latter 1800's.

    Enjoy your trip!
  • Cup_fan's avatar
    Cup_fan
    Explorer
    Feb 28, 2014
    Thanks Taviking22, this sounds like a route that we might enjoy then. Thanks for the tip on Fort Robinson, sounds like a place we would be interested in seeing and may warrant a small detour if it's not getting too late in the day when we pass through that area. If we did stop at Fort Robinson, do you think route 71 from Crawford to Hot Springs would be ok to take, or would it be better to back track to 385?
  • CloudDriver's avatar
    CloudDriver
    Explorer
    Feb 28, 2014
    We like to drive route 30 across Nebraska between Ogalalla and Grand Island to avoid I80. From Grand Island we use route 34 to Lincoln and Route 2 to Nebraska City. We have also used route 36 across Missouri and Kansas.

    You may want to consider getting off I29 at St. Joseph and taking route 36 and route 73/75 up to Nebraska City. Route 2 between Nebraska City and Lincoln is divided highway. There is an interesting Lewis & Clark Visitor Center in Nebraska City just off route 2. Route 34 goes through a number of small towns including Seward, designated the Nebraska 4th of July City. We didn't know about this until we drove through on July 4, 2010. if your timing allows, it looked like a good place to be for the 4th.
  • Cup_fan's avatar
    Cup_fan
    Explorer
    Feb 28, 2014
    These are good suggestions too clouddriver. My biggest problem is that in order to maximize our time in the Black Hills, we are trying to make this trip in one day. So I may not have much of a choice but to travel some interstate in order to make up for some of the time we spend on the slower two lane highways. Plus we aren't as young as we used to be, so extra stops to stretch and give the butt a break will be a must! The days when I could drive 24 hours to get home like when I was in the Navy are just a distant memory! Having said that, I'm hoping we might have the option of leaving here late afternoon on Friday and get a few hours head start. That will allow us to take our time on Saturday and not have to be in any hurry.
  • CloudDriver's avatar
    CloudDriver
    Explorer
    Feb 28, 2014
    Streets & Trips comes up with 882 miles from Lebanon MO to Custer SD. I would need a Friday evening head start to do that drive in two days!
  • Cup_fan's avatar
    Cup_fan
    Explorer
    Feb 28, 2014
    Your right, we'd need a pretty early start on Saturday. But I'm used to being at work by 4am, so that's not an issue.
  • 2001chevyturk's avatar
    2001chevyturk
    Explorer
    Feb 28, 2014
    We went to the Black Hill last year for family vacation. We are from York NE and are located right on I80. We took the interstate all the way to Sidney then north on hwy 385 for two reasons we were on limited time frame and locations for gas stops that we could get under with our 5th wheel. Hwy 2 through Nebraska is a great scenic route. Just have to keep in mind gas stations can be limited in western NE small towns. Make sure you have enough fuel range with your TV.

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