Checking new route from Black Hills to Cheyenne, WY

[herewer]

Hi Everyone,

We are currently in the Black Hills and have to change our plans.

Considering taking I-90 west to South Dakota State Highway 79 South at Rapid City to State Highway 18 west into Wyoming to Lusk, WY and continuing on 18 to I-25 South on into Cheyenne.

We are towing a 30' travel trailer.

Will any of these roads give us any difficulties. We'd prefer to go around as much of the mountainous roads as possible w/o going too far out of the way.

Thank you for your help!!

Wendy

[herewer]

Thank you to all who have replied. The roads have been great and used the Flying J at I -90 and 79 for gas and a lunch break since it had a huge lot to park out of the way in.

Wendy

[IDman]

There is a nice station in Edgemont, shortly before you leave S.Dak. into Wyo.

[john_bet]

herewer wrote:
Thank you to all who replied so promptly!! We appreciate the information.

In regards to fuel stops, is anyone familiar with any trailer friendly fuel stations between Rapids City and Lusk?

Is there a Pilot or Flying J on this route around Rapid City?

Wendy

There is a large Flying J at the I-90/US-79 junction, exit 61 east of Rapid proper. The Conico on the south side of that intersection is not RV friendly.

[jrp]

That may be a new route for you, but its a favorite of many RV'ers going to/from the Black Hills or Rapid City areas. Should be no problems for your rig. The only issue I worried about on that route was summer time road rebuilding. I would sometimes adjust the route slightly to avoid a major resurfacing road project.

PS there is an older, small Flying J station on 79 south of Rapid City, north of Hot Springs.

[john_bet]

Should be one in Hot Springs. We will be leaving Rapid with a full tank And are not expecting to need any till we get to at least Douglas or further south on I-25. May even get all the way to Cheyenne. Of course my tank may be bigger than yours. Have a safe trip.

[herewer]

Thank you to all who replied so promptly!! We appreciate the information.

In regards to fuel stops, is anyone familiar with any trailer friendly fuel stations between Rapids City and Lusk?

Is there a Pilot or Flying J on this route around Rapid City?

Wendy

[john_bet]

We are going that way tomorrow, but from east side of Rapid. We are at the Air Force Base now. we are a 32' fifth wheel and expect no issuses. We are 5300 miles into our summer trip and have been on all kinds of roads.

[Thom02099]

TexasShadow wrote:
nothing wrong with that route that I know of.

+1 to that. From Rapid City to Hot Springs SD, it's 4-lane. US 18 is not a bad drive, but seems I've read somewhere that there may be some construction going on outside of Hot Springs, so you might want to check the SD roads website to make sure -- or it could be done by now.

Only thing to keep in mind out here is distance and fuel. Coming out of Hot Springs, the last fuel stop between there and Lusk WY will be in Edgemont SD. From there, it's about 80 or so miles to Lusk, with nothing in between. It's relatively flat driving (as driving in Wyoming goes!) and the stretch between Lusk and I-25 is extremely boring; hope you enjoy watching coal trains! There are a lot of them in that area.

Once you get on I-25, the drive south to Cheyenne is not difficult at all, you'll be skirting around the mountains in the area, which will be a panorama to the west for your viewing pleasure!

[IDman]

Your planned route is the best way to go with good roads and less traffic. The only bad was to go would be U.S. 16 west out of Custer. DO NOT take it unless you like heavy road construction and rough detours! FYI...in Lusk, there is a nice QUIET RV park names B.J.s if you need to spend the night.

[The_Mad_Norsky]

Or you can take I-90 west into Wyoming.

Then go south off I-90 at Sundance, Wyoming and take Wyoming route 585 until it meets up with US 85 NE of Newcastle, Wyoming.

I've taken my 35 foot fiver through this route, for same reasons you give (avoiding mountainous roads) and found WY 585 to be just fine.

[TexasShadow]

nothing wrong with that route that I know of.