Virginia to Oregon and Back 45 foot with toad

We have used I-90 route to the Black Hills a number of times. Interesting route and if you are in a hurry to get there, the way to go. Never had reservations in all these years, but then we never had the Nation in a flu pandemic and so many people wanting to get out to be by themselves. We used to overnite at the Mitchell SD Cabelas store and find ourselves with numerous neighbors when the sun came up the next morning. I learned yesterday that the store in no longer allowing parking lot overnighting due to a change of ownership and the new guys being 'afraid of liability issues' if they allow it.
Nothing ever stays the same I guess. Enjoy your strip and relish all the experiences that go with it

I went to Mt Hood 2 years as daughter was in Jr Olympics ski program She was in Sweet Briar college near Lynchburg so we left from there. Been a long time ago but we went North as fast as we could go. Seems like I took 64 to I-77 then up into northern Ohio. Hit I-90 Ohio turnpike, straight through Chicago (at 3am) up into Wisconsin on I-90 into Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana. Here I would catch I-15 S in Butte to I-86 in Pocatello down to I-84 and continue into Oregon Happy trails. You won't miss much going that way. I went clear down to Arizona on the way back then up through St Louis. Saw a lot of stuff

Thank you all for your suggestions!

To the Mississippi, my preferred fast route is I-64 across Virginia and Kentucky. It is interstate, but the scenery is good and the traffic is usually not heavy.

Along the way, stop for a few minutes at the New River Gorge bridge (3rd tallest in the US). Have a (very expensive) lunch in the Sam Snead Restaurant at Greenbrier Country Club, White Sulfur Springs, WV. (My friends who play golf were pleased to get a paper napkin souvenir from the restaurant.)

By the time you reach Lexington you may want to take a break. Camp at Kentucky Horse Farm for (at least) two nights. There is so much of interest (all having to do with horses) that you may want to want more than one full day.

You have to cross the plains somehow. Of the interstates, I prefer I-80, but my favorite way is to cross Nebraska is on state highway 2 through the Sand Hills.

In Wyoming, take state highway 450 to Wright and then highway 59 up to Gillette. You will see something that I thought amazing. These are the biggest coal mines in the country, and are the places where all those coal trains are loaded. Stop and watch to see how it is done.

Two months is good. It sounds like a lot of time, but you could spend two weeks just getting to the Northwest, and then there is the return trip (along a different trip, of course.)

Fantastic trip to look forward to. From south east VA and with the size rig you have do you prefer to stay on the interstates or? Head down to I-40 think about a stop in Asheville and go see the Biltmore Estate if you have never seen it. Head west to Nashville and see Broadway street and go see the Hermitage, Andrew Jacksons home and museum.

From there head up I-24 to St. Louis and see the arch and museum there and Old Town. From St. Louis head to Kansas City and up I-29 into South Dakota and The Bad Lands and stop into Wall Drug and then move on to Rushmore. From there head down to Yellowstone. Find your way over to I-84. Stop in Pendleton and stay at the Wild Horse Casino RV park. Stop in the Dalles too and then you can head south on 197 to 97 to Bend. 97 takes you to Crater lake area. Google maps is showing the north entrance to be closed until June 30.

You have 8 weeks to go there and back. Take time to stay a couple days at every stop or as many you think you can do and still keep your time table. We took 10 weeks to do our big circle from the Knoxville area and we did not take as much time in places that I would have liked to. It goes by quickly so try to make the most of it.

Consider going to Astoria OR, down the coast and over to Crater Lake. Astoria is a great little town, Ft Stevens (limited 45' sites) puts you on the Pacific Ocean and the Columbia River. The Columbia Bar is the most dangerous in the world and you can find out more at the Maritime Museum and ride the $2 trolly.

Crater Lake is interesting but the coast is better IMHO.

I would suggest using primary US highways and a little less time on interstates.
I would use different routes westbound then returning on same highways.
I like US 50 and US 2 maybe US 36
Figure in a little more time as you go along.
Make list of must sees and figure that into a route planner.
I use an old copy of Streets and Trips.
US.campgrounds.info has some nice back roads campgrounds.

LoveByrds wrote:
First cross country trip leaving from Southeastern Virginia bound for Oregon and back. Not new to RVing but have never traveled coast to coast (we have mostly explored the eastern seaboard and the south). Would like suggestions on the most beautiful, good roads for a 45 foot class A diesel pusher towing a toad? I’ve been using tools like RV Trip Wizard and RV Parky but there’s nothing better than hearing from someone who has experience!

We want to hit the highlights along the way (Badlands, Yellowstone, Mt Rushmore, etc all the way out to Crater Lake OR). We have two months to do the circuit (June and July). For those who have done this trip before, we would really appreciate advice and suggestions on safe, beautiful routes and must see stops.

Thank you in advance!

Sounds like a great trip! My only suggestion is that you make all your reservations as soon as possible for the whole trip primarily because you will be RVing during the busiest time of the year. Reservations can always be changed to meet any changes, just be sure to check for any deposit charges.