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Xjaywalker · 05-11-2022, 06:28 PM

Our grandchildren live in Edina, MN and are graduating in June. So we have done this trip 3 times before and always stayed on the Interstates (I-25,I-40,I-70, & I-35)....Its OK, but would rather take a different adventure, maybe on some Stage Highways? We don't care too much for Texas, so we will steer clear. Any suggestions on routes and campgrounds would be greatly appreciated. TIA

twogypsies · 05-11-2022, 10:57 PM

1790 miles - I-25 north to Denver and pick up 85 near Cheyenne, WY to 18 into South Dakota (tour Custer State Park/Mount Rushmore) then I-90 east.

The more direct routes that Google Maps gives are 1650-1700 miles so the above isn't too much longer.

be-happy · 05-13-2022, 06:56 AM

If you are not in a hurry and want to make an adventure out of it. How about heading to Branson, MO then up to Hannibal MO and on to Prior Lake. Google maps takes you through the top of Texas and through OK to Branson. 1900 plus miles so its longer but way different than you have been doing. Might make for a great return home trip if you do not want that going up.

Lots to see and do in Branson, Hannibal is the city of Mark Twain.

Either way Good Luck and safe travels

MN_Traveler · 05-13-2022, 11:47 AM

I live in edina, and have done kind of the same thing in reverse. You could cut north (off of the interstate) east of Albuquerque and go through through Kansas and southern Nebraska then pick up i80 east into desmoines. If you really want to stay off the interstates, you could also cut further north through the Sandhills of northern Nebraska and pick up i90 in South Dakota. Lots of small towns. I found it to be quite an eye-opener

Xjaywalker · 05-17-2022, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by be-happy

If you are not in a hurry and want to make an adventure out of it. How about heading to Branson, MO then up to Hannibal MO and on to Prior Lake. Google maps takes you through the top of Texas and through OK to Branson. 1900 plus miles so its longer but way different than you have been doing. Might make for a great return home trip if you do not want that going up.

Lots to see and do in Branson, Hannibal is the city of Mark Twain.

Either way Good Luck and safe travels

Thats awesome...I will check it out. Love Mark Twain..

Xjaywalker · 05-17-2022, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MN_Traveler

I live in edina, and have done kind of the same thing in reverse. You could cut north (off of the interstate) east of Albuquerque and go through through Kansas and southern Nebraska then pick up i80 east into desmoines. If you really want to stay off the interstates, you could also cut further north through the Sandhills of northern Nebraska and pick up i90 in South Dakota. Lots of small towns. I found it to be quite an eye-opener

Thank you MN_Traveler...Edina is where are granddaughters are graduating HS. Small world. Thank you for the suggestion. We were looking at Highway 54 east of Albuquerque and as you suggested to start heading then connecting to Highway 183 North -Have you traveled any of the Highways between I-90 and I-40 South bound? We will have more time on the way back and then may do more exploring. I am try to leave early, the girls graduation is June 7th.

MN_Traveler · 05-18-2022, 08:09 AM

When I have done this it has been in western Kansas and eastern Colorado … further west than I believe you are thinking about? Eastern co and northeast nm is ranch country. Resources are there but pretty widely spread out. Roads were good. Kansas is more farming area … towns and resources a little more closely spaced. Quite a few of them have declined financially … quite sad to see … but they are there. Northern Nebraska is sand hill country. Ranching again, with resources more widely spaced. Either way traffic is WAY lighter, and you will see a way of life you don’t see from the interstates. Do, however, use appropriate apps or gps device to look ahead and avoid low bridges. I actually have not found them common, but they are out there.

Enjoy graduation! Edina takes its high school quite seriously, and high school events are usually quite a hoot!

Where are you staying in prior lake?

Xjaywalker · 05-18-2022, 08:41 AM

Dakota Medows….I love the golf course. We are not gamblers.

MN_Traveler · 05-18-2022, 08:50 AM

Huh. For some reason I always thought the casino was in Shakopee. That is a nice campground - enjoy your stay!

Xjaywalker · 05-18-2022, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

1790 miles - I-25 north to Denver and pick up 85 near Cheyenne, WY to 18 into South Dakota (tour Custer State Park/Mount Rushmore) then I-90 east.

The more direct routes that Google Maps gives are 1650-1700 miles so the above isn't too much longer.

Thank you two gypsies. We have done that route before and loved Mt Rushmore, especially the night time ceramony. Awesome.. Thank you