Road Trip with Dog

[idorfm1]

Hi there. I am driving with a friend From Seattle to Maryland and we will also have my dog with us which will make things a bit more difficult. We want to go the northern route and stop at Glacier National Park on the way but don't have any other plans yet. Any other must see places that would be ok with a dog or anything really since I'm not really familiar with that part of the country. we have about 8 days to do the trip.

[Midwest Michael]

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

One of the bigger challenges with traveling with a dog is that most national parks are not very pet friendly. Dogs are generally not allowed on the trails at most national parks, and are limited to areas like campgrounds and parking lots. That's not to say you can't go and enjoy Glacier, but you'll be limited to the overlooks near the roadway.

Better bets to really get out and explore along the way are state parks and national forest lands. One possible "northern route" would be to take US-2 or MT-200 across Montana, and pick up I-94 again near Glendive. Makoshika State Park is a spot near there where you can explore then northwest extreme of the badlands. Teddy Roosevelt NP would still be worth the drive through, and then you've got lots more nice state parks to consider as you head east. Fort Abraham Lincoln SP, on the banks of the Missouri near Bismarck, is one. You could detour to Lake Itasca SP to see the birthplace of the Mississippi River in Minnesota. Devils Lake SP in Wisconsin is also right near your route, as would Starved Rock SP in Illinois. That's not by any means a complete list, but they are some examples you might enjoy.

Routing wise, I would recommend you avoid Chicago and a whole bunch of tolls by taking I-39/I-74 through Central Illinois to Indianapolis and then pick up I-70 and take that east to whereever your destination in Maryland might be.