Driving to Yellowstone

My wife  and I are planning a car trip to Yellowstone this summer via I-80 and I-90 with our 8 year old and our 12 year old.  I was wondering if anyone has any tips on making a trip like this and where to stop and sight see along the way.


Granted it was over 30 years ago, and there were no portable movie players or phones, but I still remember being bored and frustrated for most of the car trip my family took out west (and we flew back) when I was 15 and my sister was 12. 

Granted... I was 15. So, I may have had a grumpy perspective. 

A few years later, my sister and I traveled via train to San Francisco from NYC. Just being able to stand up and wander around, play cards in the dining car with some other random travelers, made me so much happier across so much travel time. I also liked the train better since no one was arguing over directions (granted... no GPS then either). We stopped off in a couple of cities on our way. 

Sorry, no suggestions. But wishing you good luck!


We are moving out West and a big point of the trip is to transport the car so, as appealing as the train may sound, its no dice.


Ohhh... that's very different.  Nevermind!  grin


There’s nothing like watching bison graze or amble across the road right outside your car, in the Badlands/Black Hills area. For us, the perfect place for this was Custer State Park, where we stayed in a small cabin. There are also magnificent lodges for a meal or a relaxing drink. The state park is off the beaten path (relief!) but only a half-hour from the interstate.

ETA: Sorry to see you go, Slugs. I’ve enjoyed your posts on MOL.


The Badlands, Black Hills, and Mount Rushmore are a must.

If you are at Yellowstone then you should also go to Grand Teton National Park.

Indiana Dunes National Park.



Allow at least 4 or 5 hours at Badlands.  I believe I have some photos from my trip there, two years ago, posted on M.O.L.


Sioux Falls is worth an hour or so to see the falls.



Along Rt 80, there is a marker indicating where the Little House on the Prairie was. You can google to find the exact location.  You might also look at scenic byways.org for a couple of detours.


Dyersville, Iowa is a great diversion if you're a fan of "Field of Dreams".  https://fieldofdreamsmoviesite.com/


yahooyahoo said:
There is a lot of stuff related to Lewis & Clark in South Dakota.
https://www.travelsouthdakota.com/trip-ideas/article/lewis-clark-trail

 The lean toos and hunting cabin uses by Bufaloo Bill Cody were there last time. A moose grazed in the stream.  Cody museum worthwhile.    Cofee was a dime sa cup in Gilette Wyoming.   Maybe now it is a quarter


--- and I suppose ya gotta do Wall Drugs to say you've been there. 


If you have to sacrifice time in South Dakota, skip the Crazy Horse park.



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