Michigan to Wyoming Summer 2016

We are planning on Rushmore, Yellowstone, Tetons, and more. We are only planning on making this particular trip once with the kids and want to make sure we hit the great sights.

If you're taking I-90 westward, figure on over 1600 miles to drive (and you have to get around Chicago somehow to get to I-90, presumably from I-94)

If you're taking I-80 return trip, figure on over 1500 miles to drive.

500+ miles a day roughly. While certainly doable, it could be hard on the kiddos, and not that much fun for the driver either.:D

While there are certainly sights along the way, stopping to see them will cut down on the amount of time you have for the places you want to see, specifically Yellowstone/Teton/Mt Rushmore.

Assuming you're going to be back home on the 15th day, realistically you have 8 days in which to see Mt Rushmore, Yellowstone, and Teton, and not counting anything else or down time.

Yellowstone NP is deceptively big. One looks at the map and it doesn't seem so, but it is. And there will be traffic, lots of tourists and the traffic will be slow in the park.

If you search prior posts here, there's frequently the suggestion to plan on at least 5 days just to see the sights at Yellowstone. (If you do a google search on "how much time to spend in Yellowstone", the frequent recommendation is at least 3 days, and that's for "car viewing", simply driving around and seeing the sights without getting out of the car much). That would leave you 3 days to see Teton and Mount Rushmore, which would likely bookend your visit to Yellowstone.

You may want to consider bypassing Mt Rushmore, which could be another trip (lots to see and do in the Black Hills - a fun destination trip unto itself), and focus just on Yellowstone/Teton. While it would be nice and relaxing to see sights on the way out and back, it also takes away the time you have for your destination.

Eight days in Yellowstone and Teton would certainly be a trip that the kiddos would enjoy, and the 'rents as well! ;) You'll also need reservations for wherever you want to stay. You can search here for either park and get a LOT of recommendations for where to stay, depending on whether you want to boondock or want FHU.

Whatever you decide, I hope you have a good safe trip!

Bbrinks1 wrote:
Fair comment. I actually have 14 nights planned for the total trip. Figured at least 3 days of pure driving. Will have to decide what's worth packing in. We do want some down time so we certainly won't see it all. Again, the ideas are appreciated.

We plan to go from Michigan to Yellowstone in 2017. For my family, it's 3 days there and 3 days back, for a total of 6 days driving. That's if we do a minimum of 650 miles/day. For us, that takes 12 hours/day X3 days, we'll be toast by the time we arrive I'm sure. We plan to take 16 days total, so 10 for sight seeing. We'll do Craters of the Moon for one day, Tetons for two or three days and Yellowstone for the remaining days. We had originally planned to do Mt Rushmore/Badlands/Custer St park in the same trip, but we were left with only 1 week of vacation time this year and we're doing South Dakota now, instead of next year with Yellowstone. PLus, I tend to over book and tire everyone out quickly, so I'm trying to slow it down to add in a day or two to relax.

You'll have to update with your route and what worked for you guys.
Good luck.
It will be fun however you choose to do it.

Fair comment. I actually have 14 nights planned for the total trip. Figured at least 3 days of pure driving. Will have to decide what's worth packing in. We do want some down time so we certainly won't see it all. Again, the ideas are appreciated.

Bbrinks1 wrote:
This is great information! Glad I decided to post. We are planning on Rushmore, Yellowstone, Tetons, and more. We are only planning on making this particular trip once with the kids and want to make sure we hit the great sights. Keep the ideas coming please. You folks are great!

Maybe it's just me, but that seems like an awful lot to pack into 11-12 days, along with driving over 3000 miles. You'll spend half your days just covering ground.
Have you mapped out the distance between your "must see" stops?

Dbrinks,

You do not indicate the gender of the progeny, that may make some difference.

You will be driving past:
Amana Colonies - Not great for young men, but still good if you have the time.
There is a Truck Museum just north of the famous I-80 truck stop. It is a great stop in any case.
Most Iowa rest areas have a dump and potable water.
There is a Union Pacific Museum in Council Bluffs. It is not easy to park near, but worth the try. This is a railroad museum with zero rolling stock on display. It is about history.
The Nebraska Archway Museum is over the highway. Get off a mile before it.
If you plan to break north through Sioux City and Sioux Falls, the Blue Bunny Ice Cream comes from Le Mars, and see if the butterfly museum on Sioux Falls is open that day.
Crazy Horse is not far off your planned route, but if the coach doesn't do twisty roads (you will have found out in the Badlands) that is amazing, but it can be passed.

Work you plans carefully.

Matt

This is great information! Glad I decided to post. We are planning on Rushmore, Yellowstone, Tetons, and more. We are only planning on making this particular trip once with the kids and want to make sure we hit the great sights. Keep the ideas coming please. You folks are great!

By all means get down to Grand Teton Nat'l Park which is very close by. The mountains and Jackson Lake are a sight to behold. Jackson Hole, WY is worth a visit too.

Assuming you are heading to I80 from Yellowstone/Grand Teton, some suggestions on some things that may be of interest.

Route 26 is a not too steep climb over the scenic Togwotee pass and a gentle descent to joint with route 20 to pick up I25 at Casper. Get off onto route 26 to see the best preserved wagon ruts from the Oregon Trail at Guernsey WY. Only about 2 miles away is Register Cliff with names of the immigrants still visible carved into the cliff wall. Continue on route 26 to Fort Laramie, also dating from the Oregon Trail days. A number of the buildings have been restored.

Continue on route 26 past Scotts Bluff and Chimney Rock, also landmarks on the Oregon Trail. You can then either take route 385 to I80 or continue on route 26 to join I80 at Ogalalla.

At North Platte NE is the Bailey yard of the Union Pacific Railroad, which is the largest rail yard in the world. This rail yard originated as part of the first Transcontinental Railroad, dating to the 1860's. The Golden Spike Tower there provides elevated views of the rail activities, including two "humps" used to sort incoming rail cars into new trains for departure.

Take Rt 240 through the badlands. It will bring you back on at Wall where you can hit Wall Drug before continuing on the interstate. Custer State park is great but be very careful as to what roads you get onto in the area. There are several roads that are not RV friendly. Good place for a 1 day rental car.

Avoid August as it is hot in much of Wyoming and Montana, and unless you a motorcycle fan, the Sturgis rally fills up everything for 400 miles around.