Chicago - LAX in August: I-80 vs I-40

Chicago (Morris) to Sioux Falls is actually drivable in one day via the Interstates, so you can take the small roads most of the way with an overnight stop. With this in mind, I'd probably go north on I-39 to Rockford, then take US-20. It's very scenic in western IL, you may want to stop for a while in Galena. Proceeding into IA, you will be very near the Field of Dreams, it's out in the sticks north of Dyersville. Waterloo would be a good overnight, if you want to go farther, the next city with good lodging options is Fort Dodge (or Mason City if you want to head north on US-218 to US-18 to go the rest of the way across).

This is so true.. and probably we will follow the mood as always. However it is always good to have some tip to hit some good spot and this website is so precious for that... some of the best places are often quite hidden.... thanks for the inspiring words!

I have to say that I am partial to I-90, but that's mostly because of my familiarity with it. Having lived along various parts of it for much of my life, I can easily say that I've traveled at least a Quarter Million Miles just along this section of highway. There are also several detours off of it you could consider, like taking US-12 from Madison to Wisconsin Dells (still 4 lanes, but takes you near Devils Lake and through the Baraboo Hills.) or taking US-14 from Madison to LaCrosse, which is 2 lanes through the bluff country of Southwest Wisconsin, and from there you could pick up MN-16, which is a National Scenic Byway, rejoining I-90 near Austin, MN.

US-20 is nice too, Galena is a popular getaway destination for Chicago residents, and I've always found Dubuque to be a nice town. It is also 4 lanes for much of the trip across Iowa, and you'd certainly get a good feel for Northern Iowa.

I wouldn't take I-88 to I-90, but I-88 does run roughly parallel to the Lincoln Highway, which was America's first cross country road. If you wanted to completely avoid the freeways, that could be a fun choice.

thanks! I like to imagine how it is gonna be... the description gives me a very good idea of what we will find. much appreciated.

Our itinerary is shaping up and we look forward to hitting the road in three weeks. We were thinking of driving no stop from Waterloo to Rapid City and then have one or two day rest at Mount Rushmore and Badlands. It might be around an 11 hrs stretch but we are three of us so we can alternate at the steering. Would it be feasible? Then from Rapid City we wanted to drive down to Denver which will be a shorter leg.

You could make it from Waterloo to Rapid in a long day - likely more like 12 hours, but it wouldn't make much sense. The Badlands are about 100 miles east of Rapid, so if you wanted to stop to see them, you'd be backtracking after your long day. It would make more sense to stop when you get near the Badlands.

I would spend the first night in Wall. Then, in the morning take SD-240 into the Badlands, and when you reach the exit turn right on SD-377 through Interior to SD-44 to Rapid City. You can spend the next night in Rapid City or closer to Rushmore - such as Keystone, Hill City, or Custer.

Rushmore to Denver is about 8 hours.

Many thanks! I see that Hill City - Denver can be driven on different routes. We were thinking of US 71, going through Nebraska, or alternatively US 85 through Wyoming. Any suggestions? We will probably just mask small stops on the way but I was wondering which way has the best scenaries. We will be ultimately heading through Grand Canyon so we might then spend the following night in Denver.

The thing is, in The West most roads are scenic and so it becomes incumbent upon you to make the most of your 'small stops'. Assuming that you can devote a full day to the drive down to Denver then I'd look at using US-385 down to US-20 just west of Chadron NE and then head west through Fort Robinson State Park, to Harrison. From there take NE-29 south, with a stop at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, to Mitchell NE. Next up, take NE-92 east along the southern bank of the North Platte River (not US-26 on the north bank). You'll be following the route of the old Oregon Trail and quick stops at some of its landmarks such as Scotts Bluff and Chimney Rock, and Court House and Jail Rocks would be in order. You'd then finish up by taking US-385, NE-19 and CO-113 south to Sterling and getting on I-76 for the final run into Denver.

AZBuck

That sounds great! Now the last question in the planning is on the Denver - GRand CAnyon route. We were thinking of leaving Denver around noon and sleep in Durango or Cortez and the following day to reach Tusayan to enter the south gate. Another alternative would be to sleep in Grand Junction, but I would preferr to get the closest to Tusayan. Any suggested route Denver - Tusayan? It should be, i guess, around 8 good hours of driving. Many thanks as always!