Headed west

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,

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.

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

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.