The plan is in two weeks to head west driving. Aka June 19 - July 12.

Leaving from west suburbs of Chicago and will be in Idaho Falls around June 30th

Plan is to take 90 one way and 94 the other way.

I was giving a week to get there, a week there and then about a week back. Planning to stop along the way.

First question. 90 there and 94 back?

Was thinking a day in Fargo. Couple days around Billings. And couple around Butte and or Bozeman. Or other thoughts?

The week in Idaho Falls and area. (And a couple days at a range or two)

Then through Jackson on to Casper Rapid City and then back towards Chicago

Should I 94 first and then come back 90?

Any suggestions for things to see along the way? I like science, technology, architecture and interesting things

Two years ago did Teton and Yellowstone so no need plan to stop there.

Finally it is just me, myself and I. So as long as I get two to agree I goes along.

Thanks in advance

Definitely swing by Mount Rushmore when you're on 90. The surrounding Black Hills area is beautiful.

I really enjoy Bozeman.

The drive between Shoshoni, WY and Thermopolis, WY through the Wind River Canyon is absolutely gorgeous.

Not sure if you're much of a gambler, but there is a nice hotel/casino in the area as well.

You won't be far from Cody, WY and the Cody Firearms Museum.

Fetterman and Custer battlefields, also a friend took route 20 across recently and mentioned a neat farm toy museum in Dyersville, IA.

I've always been intrigued by the Crazy Horse Memorial and it seems to be just south of 90. Looks like it'll take another 100 years though.

Devil's Tower is close to your route. It's worth the 30 mile drive northwest from Sundance WY.

I second Little Bighorn. I was going to just stop for an hour on my way past, I spent 7 hours there. One of those places you can feel. Also, Glacier National Park, if doable. The Black hills are also beautiful.

There is a computer and robotics museum in Bozeman: https://acrmuseum.org/ Unfortunately, it was closed the day I drove through there in 2017 and I didn't get to see it. Mt. Rushmore was shrouded in fog the day I was there, too. Might want to check weather conditions. {I've been there twice before and it's worth a visit.)

It's out of the way (north of I-90) but Glacier National Park is definitely worth a few days (if it's open).

I read that the Montana Testicle Festival has been discontinued after a 35-year run. Sorry. (I stopped at the location back in 2017 for a potty break.}

I would have suggested Wind Cave in South Dakota, but it is currently still closed. You might want to check out their web site: https://www.nps.gov/wica/index.htm

Deadwood, South Dakota is an interesting town. In 2009 I stayed a night in Custer State Park, South Dakota.

flashguy

Minimize your time on the fuckin interstate highways. That’s all

I may get poopooed but I like bozeman far more than Billings. Billings seemed crowded by comparison. I'd definitely hit devil's tower, wall drug and little bighorn if you haven't been. Great road and a very relaxing drive I've found.

I would plan for a day or two in/around Rapid City, SD. Others have mentioned a few of the items, but between Mt. Rushmore, Custer State Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Wind Cave National Park (with it's genetically pure bison herd), Crazy Horse monument, along with countless other attractions there is plenty to do/see and it's all worthwhile. By that same token the day you leave Rapid City plan to make the detour to Devil's Tower. Another worthy stop on your trek west on 90.

Billings, MT is a decent town with a big micro-brewery scene if you're into that sort of thing. Beyond that though I never found it particularly intriguing.

I enjoyed Custer State Park. Did an offroad tour there, driven by a local rancher who knew everything about the area. Very cool.

They are planning on fireworks at Mt. Rushmore this year.. President Trump is scheduled to be there. July 3 I believe?

I've done both roads out west. I guess arrange what you want to see and plot that track. It's might big out there. If you go to Cody, you can drive through Yellowstone and the Tetons. We've seen Moose in the Tetons and plenty close up. Devil's Tower, Rushmore, Medicine Wheel, there is really a plenty to see. Little Big Horn is worth a look and Pompey's Pillar isn't very far.


Idaho Falls is a lovely place with friendly people and a clean downtown. This place has you covered in case of rain.

Car Pool

TR's cabin in Medora, ND. Teddy came out here after the near-simultaneous death of his mother and wife.
Teddy's Maltese Cross Cabin

Graffiti from William Clark of Lewis and Clark, Pompey's Pillar, MT.

Famous Grafitti

Sheridan Inn. Buffalo Bill used to audition Wild West acts from the front porch. Sheridan, Wyo.
Sheridan Inn-Sheridan Wyoming

The Hotel Irma, Buffalo Bull built the place and named it after his last living daughter. Cody, Wyo. Also home to the world-class Buffalo Bill museum.

Hotel Irma

Sitting Bull's pictograph of the Little Big Horn fight, BB Historical Musem, Cody, Wyo.

Sitting Bull's Tomahawk- BBHC- Cody

Reputed pistols were taken off a dead Wild Bill Hickok and auctioned to pay for his funeral in Deadwood. BBHC, Cody. Deadwood is interesting but not a must.

Wild Bill Hickok's Colts

The Custer House at Fort Abe Lincoln south of Bismarck. This is where the 7th Cavalry departed in June 1876 to Montana and Infamy. One of the two reputed graves for Sitting Bull is a little further south. The other is in SD.

Commanding Officer's Quarters

quote:

Originally posted by Anubismp:
I may get poopooed but I like bozeman far more than Billings. Billings seemed crowded by comparison. I'd definitely hit devil's tower, wall drug and little bighorn if you haven't been. Great road and a very relaxing drive I've found.

I'd have to agree. Billings isn't all that the other cities in Montana seemed friendlier to me.
Now Butte is a place to see.

The Curtiss Music Hall - 1892

Ask for Butte Beer!

A leftover from the old mining days.
Socialist Hall 1916

Awesome! This was a great help in narrowing down things to do. Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by Oat_Action_Man:
I enjoyed Custer State Park. Did an offroad tour there, driven by a local rancher who knew everything about the area. Very cool.

My tour group was treated to a cookout one evening. I was even feted:
IMG_7383 by David Casteel, on Flickr

A few photos of notable places:
Cody, Wyoming

Buffalo Bill Historical Center (statue of BB)

DSC_1480 by David Casteel, on Flickr
There are 5 (yes, 5) museums in that complex. Plan to spend some time.

Just one display (of thousands) in the Firearms Museum

DSC_1459 by David Casteel, on Flickr

The old Irma Hotel (original built by BB)

DSC_1468 by David Casteel, on Flickr
I had a good lunch there.

Little Bighorn
The battlefield

DSC_1502 by David Casteel, on Flickr


Bighorn pano 1498-1501 by David Casteel, on Flickr
(the gravestones are actually where remains were found)


DSC_1503 by David Casteel, on Flickr
(even the horses are remembered)

Deadwood, South Dakota
There’s a little auto museum that has Magnum, P.I.’s Ferrari

DSC_1627 by David Casteel, on Flickr

And Peter Fonda’s Harley

DSC_1632 by David Casteel, on Flickr

Rapid City, South Dakota

DSC_1658 by David Casteel, on Flickr
(has life-sized statues of the US Presidents – this one is Harry S. Truman)

Mount Rushmore

DSC_1669 by David Casteel, on Flickr


DSC_1675 by David Casteel, on Flickr


DSC_1672 by David Casteel, on Flickr

That should give some ideas of what is available out there.

flashguy

This message has been edited. Last edited by: flashguy, June 06, 2020 01:39 PM

All good suggestions, but please, stop at WALL DRUG. You will see the signs for it. It will be a little levity and a memory of your trip.

I still have a 1023 miles to Wall Drug sign in my garage.

Dang, I wish it were me. Have a great time.

I have to say that Mount Rushmore feels anticlimactic to my wife and I. I think the Black Hills are beautiful. First thing in the morning we drove down Spearfish Canyon and then over to Sturgis. Sturgis without the rally is kinda sleepy and friendly. From there down Vanocker Canyon. Those two drives: Spearfish and Vanocker Canyons make me smile; almost completely to ourselves. As we approached Rushmore, the traffic picks up dramatically. Rushmore was crowded. I have no doubt that there are times of the day—very early morning, or later in the evening (no idea if you can even visit at sunset or later), when it’s very moving. I was glad to get out of there.

If you have time, Fort Robinson, Nebraska (west of Chadron) is a really cool place to see.