NJ to Yellowstone

We went out through ND and returned via SD last year. We really enjoyed ND esp Teddy Roosevelt Nat'l park. This is a great trip, have fun. From 80 you'd take 90/94 up through WI/MN and could stop at Wisconsin Dells. Lots to see. Lots of campgrounds out here. You can stop for the night at most rest stops out west. Originally from the East (NY,NJ).

Todd
Minnesota

Cody is great,rec Absoroka RV park on edge of town less crowded. Allow a day for the trip from Cody to the East gate.

We stopped for a couple of days at a National Forest CG in the Big Horn Mountains last Summer on our way out of Yellowstone and then took a half day side trip to the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Very informative and the Rangers talks brought out many facts about the Custer expedition that the history books never mention. Also Devils Tower was nearby

AGC wrote:
We're driving from New Jersey to Yellowstone with stops at Badlands, Mt.Rushmore, Cody, and then into Yellowstone. From Yellowstone we will continue to Grand Teton, on our way back home we'll stop by Indiana Dunes.

This is our (family of four) first long trip in our 2009 Winnebago View. Google map is suggesting 80w to 90w from NJ to Mount Rushmore and then US 16w to Yellowstone. Going home would be 80e.

Any suggestions on which routes to take and where else we should stop on our way back home.

Not sure of your time table but think about coming out of the Tetons into Flaming Gorge and then Down to Dino NM just beautiful! This will also give you a little peak into the next trip to Colorado - if you have a few extra days we can give you a great and rewarding route to drive and see a lot before you head home.

This would allow a drive back on I-70 and Rt 36 to give you a change of scenery going home.

Just a Thought,

In your new View the driving will be easy with nothing you can't handle.

Best of Luck,

When are you planning to leave and how long do you have? Some of the services in Yellowstone start to shutdown after Labor Day as do some National Forest campgrounds. What kinds of things are you interested in? There are lots of possible routes with things to see along the way. After all it is over 2000 miles from North Jersey to Yellowstone by the most direct route.

May want to fuel up in Buffalo. Not much between Buffalo and Worland on 16.

Thanks all for the responses.

It will definitely be a lot of driving. I've done tons of trips from NJ to Orlando FL. I've done those trips straight through with stops for gas, food and bathroom breaks in my wife's GMC Yukon XL. We've done several trips to Maine, Vermont, NH and also went to Nova Scotia in 2014. Big difference on this trip will be driving an RV instead of the GMC Yukon XL.

We're leaving this Thursday and are aiming to be back by 8/22. I wish we had more time but am unable to take off more time from work. I figured it's better to try and enjoy the 2+ weeks off rather than not go at all.

We're going to be stoping at Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Custer, Cody, Yellowstone, Grand Teton and on our way back home Indiana Dunes. We have reservations so can't do much more on our way to Yellowstone, but coming back home we have an extra day (or so) to play with.

Thanks again and please keep suggestions coming

Yellowstone gets at least some snow every month except July and August. Even though it usually melts quickly, its still cold. Take warm clothing, just in case. Average temp is in the 40's.

If your coming back on I-80, the Cabela's in Sidney, NE has a campground, Fort Kearny has a campground, and there is the Great Platte River Road Archway Museum.

The Iowa State Fair is August 11-21. Winterset, Iowa is where the movie "Bridges of Madison County" was filmed. It is also John Wayne's birthplace which has a museum. The city of Winterset has a nice campground at the city park.

The Amana Colonies are not far North of Iowa City. The Birthplace of Captain James T.Kirk and a Star Trek Museum are not far South of Iowa City in Riverside, IA.

It might be best to just formulate a few general ideas for the return trip and then play it by ear after seeing how things go on your vacation.

One possibility I personally would suggest considering is returning via I-70 and stopping in St Louis--specifically, I'd recommend the City Museum, under the assumption that probably a couple of your party of four are between the ages of, say, 6 and 18 years old. There are, of course, many other excellent things to see and do in St Louis, but the City Museum is a lot of fun and absolutely unique.

We got home from Yellowstone and Grand Teton about week ago. A couple of suggestions to consider for your route:

We like I80 across PA, but then use I76, I71 and route 30 across OH and IN to I65 to rejoin I80 near Gary. It's about 20 miles longer but no tolls, much less traffic and few trucks. Route 30 is a really nice divided highway with some traffic lights toward the western end before I65.

We also continue west on I80 to I29 then north to I90 at Sioux Falls. I35 between I80 and I90 is another option.

Since you have an extra day on the way home, I'll throw out another suggestion - Take route 26 out of Grand Teton to Riverton then route 20 to I25 at Casper to route 26. Route 26 follows the North Platte River and a portion of the Oregon Trail. At Guernsey WY are the best preserved wagon ruts cut about 4 feet deep into a rock formation. Two Miles away is Register Cliff with names of immigrants dating back to the 1800's still visible. A few miles further on 26 is Fort Laramie, with a number of restored buildings. Further along on 26 you will pass Oregon Trail landmarks including Scotts Bluff and Chimney Rock before rejoining I80. At North Platte NE is the Bailey Yard of the Union Pacific RR, the largest rail yard in the world. The Golden Spike Tower there affords an elevated view of the operations.

Enjoy your trip!