Best route from MD to Rapid City SD

[greenro]

Taking the family to Rushmore from MD. I am researching the best route. I am considering the the Pa and Ohio turnpikes to rt 94. 94 appears to go right through Chicago. Is this a good route? I will be hitting the area on a Sunday. Any input would be great.

[skigramp]

See this thread

Travelling through Chicago

[FlyingDiver]

I wouldn't go through Chicago. I'd probably do I-70 to I-74 to I-80 to I-29 to I-90.

joe

[Route 66]

I traveled the route Joe posted above and it was just fine.

I'd avoid Chicago.

[skigramp]

In Iowa I would suggest a slight modification to the above route ...

northwest on I-280 (and US-20)
north on I-35
joining I-90 in Albert Lea Minnesota

this route is 10 miles longer but it avoids the Des Moines area ... the up and down hills on I-80 between Des Moines and Council Bluffs ... and the trucks that run I-80 between Chicago and Omaha ...

[clubmed98]

I also would avoid Chicago...I have done US 6 west through Ohio and Indiana and then outside Bremen drop down to US 30 through to Joliet then do interstate west...you do touch Chicago with stop lights but not bad...

[ga traveler]

I would take 90 across SD. Be sure to stop at Mitchell and see the corn palace. Stay the night on the banks of the missouri river at Chamberlain, SD. (american creek campground) Also a good campground at Rapid City is Happy Holiday Resort. It is close to town and Custer State Park, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse monument and Badlands NP.

[4Fun]

Quote:

Originally Posted by skigramp In Iowa I would suggest a slight modification to the above route ... northwest on I-280 (and US-20) north on I-35 joining I-90 in Albert Lea Minnesota this route is 10 miles longer but it avoids the Des Moines area ... the up and down hills on I-80 between Des Moines and Council Bluffs ... and the trucks that run I-80 between Chicago and Omaha ...

Looking on a map I cannot find I-280 off of I-70.
What is your opinion of going to Kansas City on I-70 and taking I-29 north to I-90?

[skigramp]

I-280 is off I-80 near Iowa City ... the suggested route took I-74 to I-80 in Illinois ...

Going to Kansas City is good ideas IF you like Kansas City Ribs {grin} ... otherwise it is quite a bit further ..

[Perry White]

Check out French Creek RV in the small town of Custer. Just South of everything. 3 miles from Crazyhorse , three miles from needles highway. Don't take the RV to Mount Rushmore. If the hills don't get ya the tunnels will.

[4Fun]

Thanks, Skigramp.

[greenro]

I am going to cedar point on the lake in Ohio first. I understand that the route through Chicago is not the best. I guess I want to make sure it is passable in a 34 ft class C. I will add a bunch of extra miles by going down to catch 70 or a lower route. I am thinking of making the run around Chicago late at night. Maybe after midnight. Good idea or not? Looks like good highway but I have never done this route before.