Rawlins,WY to Rapid City, SD route?

[LADY_JANE]

My DH like to stay on interstates generally, but this adds a lot of miles between these two points. Does anyone have experience with US287 and WY220 and US18 US385S, and SD79?

Are US highways generally safe as to low bridges etc, or would that be a possibility?

This is a leg of a trip from MN to UTah and back and I would like to minimize driving where possible, but don't want any unwelcome surprises.

Thanks!

[LADY_JANE]

Thanks all, we leave Thursday. Happy Trails to everyone!

[TexasShadow]

US 18 is fine and so is 79. Then 36 into Custer State Park is good, too. All two lane, but not a problem. 79 is good all the way to Rapid City.

[dkreuzen]

I was over those roads a few years ago and they were fine.

[LADY_JANE]

Thanks--btw, are these two-lane or four-lane highways?

[rbtglove]

Used to live in Rapid City and was over 287 last year and it should be just fine for you, can make good time, usually not much traffic, few towns.

[newk]

Barring road construction (don't know) 287 and 220 should be fine. The only problems I've ever had on that stretch was during the winter. The others you mention should be okay, but it's been a long time since I've driven any them any distance. That's the route I'd probably take if I were you.

Hwy. 16 between Newcastle and Custer is a mess right now from extensive road construction. I'd avoid it if possible, especially with a motorhome/camper.

From Casper you *could* take I-25 north to Buffalo where you'd take I-90 east. Or to save quite a bit of time, you could take I-25 from Casper to Hwy 387, then take it to Hwy 50 or 59 to Gillette and pick up I-90 there. 387 has some dips and bumps in some sections, but it's not bad. Hwy. 59 is a better road than 50 but is also busy, so I normally prefer Hwy 50 going that direction.

Most of Wyoming's state and U.S. highways have plenty of room for any camper. They get lots of truck traffic!