Headed to Rushmore, Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, The Arches and home to Massachusetts through Colorado. Any advice about the roads, highways after Chicago would be appreciated. Leaving last week of August. Thanks

From Jackson Hole, take 89/191 south to Rock Springs, then continue south on 191 to Flaming Gorge. Nice campground south of Dutch John, called the Firefighter's Memorial, water and dump and some elec. Then down the hill to Vernal and staying on 191 to I 70, then east and down to the Arches..then back up to I 70 and across CO.

In the last 2 years we have driven a little over 15,000 miles from Minneapolis west and south as far as San Diego and Arizona - this includes a whole bunch of interstate driving - it is well documented that our interstate highway systems needs lots of repair - even in my diesel pusher we have to slow way down at times due to the rough roads.Slow down if you have to and enjoy the beautiful scenery

TexasShadow wrote:From Jackson Hole, take 89/191 south to Rock Springs, then continue south on 191 to Flaming Gorge. Nice campground north of Dutch John, called the Firefighter's Memorial, water and dump and some elec. Then down the hill to Vernal and staying on 191 to I 70, then east and down to the Arches..then back up to I 70 and across CO. We took I-90 West towards Rapid City, SD. When the Badlands come in to view along I90 it is pretty spectacular. You can find a campground near the airport at Wall, SD. From there you can take your toad to Rushmore and the Badlands. We continued across I90 and picked up 14 just north of Sheridan,WY, which we took through Cody and in to Yellowstone. There are RV parks all along the way for you to stay at. It is still open range and we had to wait for a large flock of sheep to cross the road before we got in to Cody, WY. Lots to see around that area. From there you can drive south from Yellowstone through the Grand Tetons, Jackson and pick up 191 south through Rock Springs to Dutch John. There is a campground in Dutch John, that is basic and the Fireman's Memorial campground is SOUTH of Dutch John, UT. Nice area, but watch out for cattle on the highway since it is open range with no fences. Or you can head on to Vernal, UT and on down 191 to Moab, UT to see Arches, CanyonLand, and Dead Horse Point. After that, you can head north back up 191 to I70 and head to Denver and East by any route that you like.

Wandering view wrote:Headed to Rushmore, Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, The Arches and home to Massachusetts through Colorado. Any advice about the roads, highways after Chicago would be appreciated. Leaving last week of August. Thanks First piece of advise is to AVOID Chicago, in all my years of travel the only time Chicago has been enjoyable is when I have flown in. The traffic is just BAD, between the roads, traffic and construction, it is usually a real Headache.How long will you be traveling?Is the order of travel set? I generally advise first timer to leave Yellowstone closer to the end of the trip, It's the first park and it is the number ONE Park. The shear size and diversity of the park is such that almost everything pales in comparison, especially when it is seen prior to a NORMAL park.If you have the time, Colorado, in the mountains, in the Summer, is hard to beat. At elevation, you can have warm sunny days a Cool Crisp nights. Utah on the other hand can be HOT - 110-115 is not unusual during the Summer.Sounds like you might be on I-80 or I-90 Last time we drove them the concrete joints drove us to get off and just drive the state roads that were parallel, softer ride and fo most of the time not any different in our speed, and a whole lot easier on the Head.Great spots that are often over looked are State Parks and Local Reservoirs, they often have beautiful Camp Grounds and even More Beautiful SUNSETS.Hope this is of some help,BOL,

If you are talking about the town of Jackson it could be skipped and no one will ever know. If you are talking about the AREA of Jackson Hole there might be something to do there I was not aware of.

Headed west | Good Sam Community

Gjac
Explorer III
Jul 05, 2015
We are on a similar trip. To get around Chicago I took RT 30 to RT 80 on a Saturday morning little traffic and no tolls. Mount Rushmore was nice at night also save your parking ticket from the day time to get back in. Devils Tower had a great NP campground with a view of the tower. Badlands was nice saw a lot of animals Big horn sheep, mtn goats, buffalo, and my GS got to feed the prairie dogs. Yellow stone was a zoo very crowded only stayed inside one night. Could not find parking at a lot of the popular places during the day. We stayed in a NF CG outside the park and drove in either early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Saw 9 bears on the drive to Lamar valley late one after noon, 2 black bears with cubs, 2 cinnamon black bears and one grizzly. Lots of elk and buffalo. No problem of getting a CG in Tetons NP. Flaming gorge was beautiful, the lower part had cleaner water. Stayed at fire hole CG at the top, wish I would have stay one night at the bottom but made reservations for the 4th of July weekend at Wolford CG in Colorado. Caught some nice trout and Kokanee salmon in the reservoir there. Will start to head home tomorrow. Enjoy your trip.
ArchHoagland
Explorer
Jul 05, 2015
They have really good ice cream at Wall Drug.

Depending on what route you take you may see a sign or two for it.

Good ice cream at Mt Rushmore too!!

Iowa 80 Truck stop is one of the largest in the world...kinda fun for a break.
Wandering_Storm
Explorer
Jul 04, 2015
Thanks to all. Your input is really helpful and greatly appreciated. John McDonough
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Jul 04, 2015
Tom/Barb wrote:
what is a good alternative going around Chicago?

Pick up US 80 as soon as possible, all the way to Omaha, then 29 north to 90 and west.
Best part of the trip for us was Shell Canyon. leave 90 north heading to Greybull, it is a WoW sight. and road.
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Jul 04, 2015
Tom/Barb wrote:
Wandering view wrote:
what is a good alternative going around Chicago?

Pick up US 80 as soon as possible, all the way to Omaha, then 29 north to 90 and west.
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Jul 04, 2015
Wandering view wrote:
what is a good alternative going around Chicago?

Pick up US 80 as soon as possible, all the way to Omaha,
Wandering_Storm
Explorer
Jul 03, 2015
what is a good alternative going around Chicago?
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Jul 03, 2015
Dick_B wrote:
If you are talking about the town of Jackson it could be skipped and no one will ever know. If you are talking about the AREA of Jackson Hole there might be something to do there I was not aware of.

What a dumb response! The 'area' you're talking about is Grand Teton National Park for one. There is plenty to do there.
tragusa3
Explorer
Jul 03, 2015
It would be a shame to go all the way to arches and not see the other Utah parks.
Dick_B
Explorer
Jul 03, 2015
If you are talking about the town of Jackson it could be skipped and no one will ever know. If you are talking about the AREA of Jackson Hole there might be something to do there I was not aware of.