Driving to Yellowstone from Delaware
Jun 8th, 2016, 12:23 PM
#1
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Driving to Yellowstone from Delaware
My wife and I have reservations to stay in Yellowstone for 5 nights in early September. I just recently retired and decided to drive to Yellowstone. Ages are 72 and 69 and are very mobile. We are leaving from Delaware. We plan on using Interstate 90 to Yellowstone and return via Interstate 80. Since we are on no time schedule to get there other than we need to be there for the reservation date, I was wondering what other sites we might visit on the way out and back.
Also, this will be the first time we have driven such a long distance I am looking for some traveling tips.
Any help would be appreciated.
Also, this will be the first time we have driven such a long distance I am looking for some traveling tips.
Any help would be appreciated.
Jun 8th, 2016, 01:13 PM
#2
The Black Hills are nice and Deadwood is worth a visit. I think I have always been hit it going cross country and never stopped and smelled the roses. I do like Wisconsin and you are very close to Chicago for a visit.
Enjoy Yellowstone, it is beautiful.
How many miles a day will you travel and do you want to book hotels or wing it? I know some places are few and far between on that route.
Enjoy Yellowstone, it is beautiful.
How many miles a day will you travel and do you want to book hotels or wing it? I know some places are few and far between on that route.
Jun 8th, 2016, 02:28 PM
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On your way out, stop at Badlands NP, right off 90.
On the way back you might want to spend some time in Grand Teton Np and drop down into Colorado and take a look at Rocky Mt. National Park.
You are so lucky to have 5 days in Yellowstone.
On the way back you might want to spend some time in Grand Teton Np and drop down into Colorado and take a look at Rocky Mt. National Park.
You are so lucky to have 5 days in Yellowstone.
Jun 8th, 2016, 02:32 PM
#4
Well, how familiar are you with the landscape between Delaware and, say, Chicago? I guess I'll assume you don't need suggestions about places to stop in Pennsylvania, for example, or on diversions or sights to see in Chicago itself.
One thing about these long road trips is that they can give you the opportunity to indulge in whatever interests you might have. Regional foods? Museums? Minor league baseball? Quirky sights? ( http://www.roadsideamerica.com/ ) They're all plentiful while you're driving across the continent, and can add some structure if you're looking for it. For example, you'll be traveling during the peak season for state fairs, including some of the biggies like Iowa or Minnesota. https://www.everfest.com/civic/state-fairs
Or rodeos - there are big ones at some of the state and county fairs, and better known ones like the Cody Stampede. http://www.rodeoz.com/index.php
On your outline route, I'd say Madison Wisconsin is well worth a visit; it's a lovely university town and state capital. There are quirky sights along I-90 through Minnesota, like the Jolly Green Giant statue in Blue Earth.
I love the various sights in South Dakota - the Corn Palace in Mitchell, or the awesome view of the Missouri River you get when coming over the crest of I-90 just before Chamberlain SD. (Have "Shenandoah" ready on the CD or mp3 playlist.) Then there's the stunning and easy loop through Badlands National Park, then the Black Hills with Mt. Rushmore, Deadwood and Lead, Crazy Horse...
Devil's Tower in Wyoming is an easy detour off I-90, Sheridan (home of Buffalo Bill) is worthy of a few hours, and the Little Bighorn battlefield is right next to the freeway in eastern Montana - enormously evocative and atmospheric.
Of course Yellowstone is amazing (but watch out for chilly or even wintry conditions - September can be very changeable at higher altitudes.) You'll want to visit Grand Teton National Park right next door, too.
Coming back, I'd find a way to include part of the Oregon Trail in Nebraska - Scotts Bluff, for example, but also the beautiful Nebraska sandhills, like along Nebraska Hwy. 2 which cuts diagonally across the state, linking with I-90 at Grand Island. Stop in Lincoln for a look at the iconic state Capitol building, and the University of Nebraska; maybe you can be there when 90,000 Husker fans turn their stadium into a "sea of red."
Then steaks in Omaha, maybe swing down to St. Louis for music and more good food, then back across to the east coast.
But think about what things intrigue you, and what you'd be prepared to detour to see. It's a big continent.
One thing about these long road trips is that they can give you the opportunity to indulge in whatever interests you might have. Regional foods? Museums? Minor league baseball? Quirky sights? ( http://www.roadsideamerica.com/ ) They're all plentiful while you're driving across the continent, and can add some structure if you're looking for it. For example, you'll be traveling during the peak season for state fairs, including some of the biggies like Iowa or Minnesota. https://www.everfest.com/civic/state-fairs
Or rodeos - there are big ones at some of the state and county fairs, and better known ones like the Cody Stampede. http://www.rodeoz.com/index.php
On your outline route, I'd say Madison Wisconsin is well worth a visit; it's a lovely university town and state capital. There are quirky sights along I-90 through Minnesota, like the Jolly Green Giant statue in Blue Earth.
I love the various sights in South Dakota - the Corn Palace in Mitchell, or the awesome view of the Missouri River you get when coming over the crest of I-90 just before Chamberlain SD. (Have "Shenandoah" ready on the CD or mp3 playlist.) Then there's the stunning and easy loop through Badlands National Park, then the Black Hills with Mt. Rushmore, Deadwood and Lead, Crazy Horse...
Devil's Tower in Wyoming is an easy detour off I-90, Sheridan (home of Buffalo Bill) is worthy of a few hours, and the Little Bighorn battlefield is right next to the freeway in eastern Montana - enormously evocative and atmospheric.
Of course Yellowstone is amazing (but watch out for chilly or even wintry conditions - September can be very changeable at higher altitudes.) You'll want to visit Grand Teton National Park right next door, too.
Coming back, I'd find a way to include part of the Oregon Trail in Nebraska - Scotts Bluff, for example, but also the beautiful Nebraska sandhills, like along Nebraska Hwy. 2 which cuts diagonally across the state, linking with I-90 at Grand Island. Stop in Lincoln for a look at the iconic state Capitol building, and the University of Nebraska; maybe you can be there when 90,000 Husker fans turn their stadium into a "sea of red."
Then steaks in Omaha, maybe swing down to St. Louis for music and more good food, then back across to the east coast.
But think about what things intrigue you, and what you'd be prepared to detour to see. It's a big continent.
Jun 8th, 2016, 04:11 PM
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Thank you all for your replies. I can see there are many options for short visits to many of the places mentioned. We have not looked into Hotels along the route yet. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
We lived in Chicago for 3 years and enjoyed the many sights in that area.
I have heard of early winter weather in early September. I hope for nothing major.
We lived in Chicago for 3 years and enjoyed the many sights in that area.
I have heard of early winter weather in early September. I hope for nothing major.
Jun 8th, 2016, 04:51 PM
#6
We had hail in Yellowstone three years ago August. It was very strange. The temp on the car dropped so fast and we held it in our hands for photos. I was driving and took it really slow till we got off that mountain and back to sunny warm weather.
Wall SD is a fun stop.
Wall SD is a fun stop.
