Route to Idaho

[bval]

We are planning to travel from New Jersey to Idaho falls in our 44ft Allegro Bus pulling a truck next week. We plan to take I 80 west to I84N to 15 N into Idaho falls. Are there any watch outs with this route or suggestions for a better route? This is our first time traveling west in our motor home! Thank you!

[FleetMan]

Been that route to NE PA many times. The Chicago area is the primary area I do not enjoy driving through. If you can traverse this area mid morning on a Sunday, do it. US 30 across Ohio and Indiana to the Merrilville area, rejoin I-80 just north of there and avoid the toll roads.

[beaverfever]

just past little america,wyoming take highway 30. it is a good two lane highway which saves fighting the salt lake city traffic plus its shorter .

[BFlinn181]

I-80 is all tolls across OH, IN, and into IL. You also have the traffic of greater Chicago to deal with. West of Chicago, I-80 is a pretty boring road all the way to Utah. I'd follow I-80 across PA, then in OH get on I-76 until I-71. At Columbus follow I-70 to Indianapolis then take I-74 across IL and then take I-280 around Moline and Davenport until it joins I-80 in Iowa. As you get to west Iowa, stay on I-680 to I-29N. Go north until I-90W.

Now you can stop at Badlands NP, Wall Drug, Mt. Rushmore, and more. If you take this route, you can also take in Yellowstone and Grand Tetons on the way to Idaho Falls. From Custer SD follow US 16 back NW to I-90 to Buffalo, WY. US 16 will take you through the Bighorn Mts., but it's not a bad route to go. At Worland, go on US 20 to US 14 at Greybull and US 14 goes to Cody and into Yellowstone. In Yellowstone you can go south on US 191 until Moran Junction in the Grand Tetons and US 26. Follow US 26 to Jackson and follow US 26 to Idaho Falls.

Caution: I wouldn't recommend taking US 14 off I-90 at Ranchester, it's a more strenuous route than using US 16. In Jackson, don't take WY 22 over Teton Pass as a shortcut to Idaho Falls, it has 10% grades up and down and isn't a good route for RVs.

If this is your first trip west, I'd want to see more than just the route you outlined. Make sure you have a National Parks Pass, you will save money if you go the route I outlined. Much to see and do, enjoy your travels!

[JFXG]

bval......
I’m with bflinn as to route. Last time I crossed Ohio I-80 was pretty good, iirc, but I-80 in Indiana was deteriorating badly. The other Ohio interstates are fine, too— I-76, 71.
As you’re moving westward on I-74 and then I-80, you can cut northward toward I-90 as the fancy suits you, on I-39, I-35, or I-29, but I definitely go along with selecting the I-90 corridor west of Chicago. Much more attractive and interesting country. Along with the points mentioned by others, work in one of your stops in Mitchell, SD. The tourist attraction there is The Corn Palace, which is pretty cool and interesting, but we also found the place to be a nice friendly town, and we wound up stay a few extra days. There are a few decent campgrounds there, and I found a couple of good breakfast diners, too. Also along I-90, just after you cross from Wyoming into Montana is the battle site at Little Big Horn. It’s quite literally right beside the highway, and is a must stop, in my view.
Enjoy!!

[bval]

Thank you everyone for this helpful information!!