Community Forums

Gary the Wombat · 08-20-2006, 07:40 AM

Staying near Idaho Falls over the Labor Day wekend, then on to South Dakota. Any suggestions for route without having to go all the way into Montana? Can I go through Yellowstone and on to Cody or would the passes through Yellowstone be too tough?

Gary the Wombat · 08-20-2006, 07:40 AM

Staying near Idaho Falls over the Labor Day wekend, then on to South Dakota. Any suggestions for route without having to go all the way into Montana? Can I go through Yellowstone and on to Cody or would the passes through Yellowstone be too tough?

Cruzer · 08-20-2006, 03:14 PM

They won't be that tough. Idaho Falls to West Yellowstone is scenic, and there is one long grade, but it's easy to handle. From West Yell head to Madison, Norris, Canyon, Fishing Bridge, ands the out the east entrance. There will be construction there but it's not that bad, just a lot of dirt. After Cody be sure to head to Buffalo and not Sheridan. US-16 takes you through a scenic part of the Bighorns and is the easiest route. US-14 is a tougher pull and US-14A is really extreme.

If Custer State Park (highly recommended) is your destination (just south of Rapid City) then get off I-90 at Moorcroft and go through Custer to get there. If you are just passing through I'd stay on I-90.

Gary the Wombat · 08-20-2006, 06:34 PM

Thanks Mark and Leann--that's just the info we needed! We'll follow your advice. Do you live in that area or is this from experience?

Cruzer · 08-21-2006, 09:04 AM

Nah, we live in Wisconsin. But every chance we get we head out that way. We've been in and around those routes many times.

Gary the Wombat · 08-21-2006, 09:20 AM

Wisconsin is on our route--visiting the in-laws at Egg Harbor.

richardcoxid · 08-28-2006, 06:21 PM

You didn't indicate when you will be leaving so you may not see this before you leave, We live in Idaho Falls and travel to Rapid City once every summer. This is the shortest and fastest as well as the least traffic.

Take Hwy #26 from Idaho Falls (at Swan Valley don't take Hwy's # 31 and 22 to Jackson, Teton Pass is 5 miles of 10% up and down on both sides) all the way to Casper, WY, get on I-25 south to Orin (exit 126), then west on Hwy 18 to Hot Springs, SD. To avoid the tourist traffic of Rushmore, Hill City and Keystone (unless that is where you want to end up) go through Hot Springs to Hwy #79 then north to Rapid City.

May you have fair winds and following seas!