We will be travelling from Rapid City to YNP via the Beartooth Highway at the beginning of July. Having read on other postings it is a good idea to pick up an ice chest and some supplies for breakfast or lunches, can anyone advise where we could do this? We will be making possibly two overnight stops on our way to Yellowstone, though haven't made any definite booking as we thought it best to leave it open to see how far we can get.

Thanks
Dot

Stop at the first grocery supermarket, Kmart or Wal-Mart that you see.

If you see an Albertsons, they're pretty good. The one in Jackson had everything we needed including the ice chest. They're a grocery store if you aren't familiar with them.

There is a big Wal*Mart and a Sam's Club on La Crosse St in Rapid City, its just south of I-90 exit 59. We have stopped there several times before going to the Black Hills or just passing thru on the way west. There are other stores further down the road in Billings to replenish your provisions prior to driving the BearTooth and Yellowstone.... if that is the way you are going.... Pick up a Rand McNally Road Atlas from Wal*Mart($5.97), in it is a directory of all the stores, both Sam's Clubs and W/M, comes in handy.

AIJ and RedRock - many thanks for your helpful info. We are from the UK so are not too familiar with some of your stores. We have been to the US several times and usually buy one of the polystyrene cool boxes to keep in the car and have found this very useful. I had not heard of Sam's Club or Albertsons, so will check these out.

Once again, many thanks

Dot

Super WalMart's are very handy for road trip supplies.

Hi Dot-
Add to that list, any 7-11 for snacks (but probably not a styrofoam cooler).

Sam's Club may not work for you because you have to be a member to shop there, like Costco.

Go for the styro cooler. Take it with you to the airport to the baggage claim area--look for someone to pass the cooler on to. We passed ours, including mayo and mustard to a group of men arriving for a fishing trip. Recycling at its most basic!

Sam's Club is a part of the Wal*Mart operation and is members only. The W/M in Rapid City is a Supercenter -http://www.walmart.com/- that is one that has just about anything you can think of. You can by groceries, clothing etc and while you do get the oil changed in your car. You can also fill with gas as you leave. One stop. Also very big. Albertsons on the other hand is just a grocery store for the most part..

In case any other YNP/Teton travelers see this thread, there is a KMart and Albertsons in Jackson, and a WalMart in Cody.

BayouGal--I have noticed the Wal*Mart on the west side of Cody and the two stores you mentioned in Jackson were higher than the average stores with the same names elsewhere.

We did too, RedRock. All were definitely higher than our local stores. The Cody WalMart was a "little" more reasonable than the Jackson stores. I am not aware of other stores in that area that offer travel supplies, though, are you?

In case I missed your point, RedRock, I'd like to explain that we arrived and departed from Jackson. We did not go to Rapid City, and since others may not, I was only pointing out the Jackson and Cody big stores. The title is not specific to Rapid City.

The stores in Jackson and Cody have a captive group of people.

It's interesting that meals in the restaurants (the ones we tried) in Jackson seemed to be priced like those across the US, but the KMart and Albertsons were the most expensive big box stores I'd ever been in.

The OP was talking about traveling from Rapid City to YNP....thought I'd get them off to a good start.. No use driving that far with out a cooler and some fruit and snacks...

The big box store & Albertsons in Jackson are one of a kind there. Years ago There was a grocery store closer to the downtown area but that closed when they built the small shopping center near the intersection with WY-22 that goes to Teton Village and across the pass over into ID..... You can always stop for a treat on your way north at the Dairy Queen across from the National Refuge..... I was heart broken when they closed the Toco Johns across the street from the old grocery store, that was always good for a send off before heading up into the Yellowstone..... lol