Los Angeles to Mt Rushmore

24fb freedom wrote:
Thanks guys I hear what your saying about slow down and smell thr roses but we're doing a 10 day trip,I wish we had more time too,we want to get there see the must see places before having to start driving again.One more question,does hwy 80 have steep grades like the 70 or does it stay mostly flat?I'm asking cause we'll be driving through that area at night.

You can easily do Rushmore in a day and maybe one more day for some of the historic towns in the area. So three nights in the area.

That gives 4 days coming and 4 days going home. Definitely stop and see something on the way. Rocky Mountain National Park is on the way and worth 2 nights if you can. I would take I70 and drive during the day.

Rushmore is great but it seems like a long fast drive just for that. We took 3 weeks to see Tetons, Yellowstone and Rushmore. No extra time.

24fb freedom wrote:
Thanks guys I hear what your saying about slow down and smell thr roses but we're doing a 10 day trip,I wish we had more time too,we want to get there see the must see places before having to start driving again.One more question,does hwy 80 have steep grades like the 70 or does it stay mostly flat?I'm asking cause we'll be driving through that area at night.

Presumably, you won't be picking up I-80 until some point in Utah, like SLC? There's a bit of a climb out of SLC to Wyoming, but most of the journey on I-80 will not present any significant steeps places. Depending on how far east you go on I-80, the highest point isn't reached until you get to east of Laramie headed toward Cheyenne, at about 9600 feet. Most of the journey across Wyoming will be in the 7000-8000 feet range, mostly rolling rather that a lot of ups/downs.

Thanks guys I hear what your saying about slow down and smell thr roses but we're doing a 10 day trip,I wish we had more time too,we want to get there see the must see places before having to start driving again.One more question,does hwy 80 have steep grades like the 70 or does it stay mostly flat?I'm asking cause we'll be driving through that area at night.

700 miles a day isn't a big deal. I agree it won't leave a lot of time for sight seeing along the way, but if your goal is to spend your time at your destination versus coming and going there's no problem with it. You could split the difference and blitz your way there but spend a little less time in South Dakota to allow for a more leisurely trip home. It all boils down to how and where you want to spend your time.

I hear others maybe trying to tell you, " Slow down and smell the roses." Lots and lots to see and take in between LA and Rushmore. The Black Hills are beautiful. We love that area. There is plenty to keep you busy for 4-7 days in that part of South Dakota, but the Black Hills definitely are not the Rockies or southern Utah.

I'm going to read your inquiry a bit differently, that you're saying you're wanting to get there as quickly as possible, and then spend time in the area. (Otherwise, as others have said, that's a LOT of driving and little time to see sights).

Once you get there, the actual visit to Mt. Rushmore can be done in half a day. There's the usual photo ops on the plaza, and there's a hike around the base of the monument. There's a theatre that shows a film on the makings of the monument, it's history. There's other historical information on site as well. But still, a good half day and you're done. But also plan on seeing it at night as well, when it's all lit up.

In the area: Crazy Horse Monument. Custer State Park. Jewel Cave National Monument. Wind Cave National Park. Needles Highway. Devil's Tower National Monument. And those are the ones that immediately come to mind. H E R E - Black Hills/Badlands is a link to many things to see and do in and around the Black Hills region.

You'll see more in an airplane - no matter how fast you drive you will average 50 MPH and that means 14 hours a day looking out the window, not much time to eat and sleep much less see things.

Have you seen Utah?

Have you seen Colorado?

Whole lot of things to see and do before you get to South Dakota, I don't want to rain on your parade but see whats close first then stretch it out later.

JMHO,

Ever done 700 miles a day? ALL you're gonna be doing is driving and try to stay awake towards the end

700 miles a day sounds like gruesome marathon:(:(:( plus you will need a good massage on your tester every night:):) Alternative, fly there!

5 National Parks in Utah on the way. You could plan to spend at least one whole day at any of them.