CrazyJane22 - We are most likely not all that far away from you. We did the Badlands/Black Hills area in 2004. While I understand the route that others have suggested, we took the more direct route via I-80 & I-90. I think I-80 still gets a bad rap that it no longer deserves (even the Carbon County section has been repaired) and it takes you through some positively beautiful areas of the state. The cons: Yes, it does become a toll road further west and getting around Chicago is not fun. We timed our passage through Chicago to happen around 5 in the morning and it was still bumper-to-bumper.
Enjoy & safe travels.
