Moving cross country - Reading PA to Spokane Wa

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496 Motel 6 Dayton Englewood Dayton, OH 45415 $60
457 Super 8 Motel Columbia Columbia, MO 65202 $75
139 Breakfast with Friend Overland Park, KS
285 Super 8 Sioux City South Sioux City, IA 51111 $75
361 Badlands National Park
113 Super 8 Belle Fourche Belle Fourche, SD 57717 $100
486 Super 8 Butte Butte, MT 59701 $100
189 Quinn's Hot Springs Paradise, Mt 59856 406-826-3150 ext. 1 $33

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We were very happy with Super 8's and Econo Lodge's on our trip. They are reasonable and usually comfortable, without being spartan (like many Motel 6's). I would check with each individual place about being pet-friendly, as there were several Super 8's on our trip that refused pets completely. Also, as was brought up, be sure to include the taxes in the room rate. You also might want to apply for a Wyndham membership (it's free) because once you hit 3 nights, they start discounting your rate. It adds up to some nice savings, as we found out.

We did Badlands on a 400 mile day, so at 300 miles and seeing the park, you'll be able to spend some time. There's one place with a 1-mile loop trail up to an observation deck: well worth the time it takes, which for us was about 1/2 hour!

In Columbia, most folks like Flat Branch for a place to eat dinner. Also, there's a place called Tropical Liqueurs, which serves drinks that are out of this world. They're basically a Slurpee but in an alcohol format. I realize this isn't for everybody, but we enjoyed it. There's one right in downtown Columbia, not that far a drive from the Super 8.


Donna

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Originally Posted by DonnaR57.] We did Badlands on a 400 mile day, so at 300 miles and seeing the park, you'll be able to spend some time.

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285 Super 8 Sioux City South Sioux City, IA 51111 $75
361 Badlands National Park
113 Super 8 Belle Fourche Belle Fourche, SD 57717 $100

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Maybe I'm reading this wrong [?] but I think the plan is to go from Sioux City to Belle Fourche with a stop in Badlands on the way. That is a journey of 480 miles before the detour, which would be quite a day.

This is by far the most helpful forum, on any topic, that I've ever been in. I'm working my way through the various suggestions to see what they look like.

For cost on my initial travel list, I added approximately $20 to every hotel cost to be on the safe side. I'd rather have money left over than run short. If I can cut this trip down by one day, that would be wonderful. My 20 year old is a brand new driver and is willing to do some driving. I don't know what the roads are like (twists and turns/traffic) so am unsure what it looks like for a new driver assisting.

I read it wrong? I'm sorry. Yes, 480 miles AND sightsee a park that will take 3-4 hours, is a long day on the road. If you're just trying a drive-through and don't do more than a stop or two, it would still be do-able though.



Donna

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If I can cut this trip down by one day, that would be wonderful.

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Just to be clear, I wasn't suggesting you cut back a day but instead move the overnight locations to accomodate your friend and a quick visit to Badlands a little better. If you did cut back by a day you would be hard pushed to have enough time to do either.

As I noted in my initial response, this is not a trip that can be done in less than an absolute minimum of four and a half days. Period. And even that would require that you take the shortest route possible, the turnpikes through Chicago. By spending just a few extra hours and taking a full five days, you save money, avoid Chicago, see your friend in Overland Park, and have a relaxed journey with a little wiggle room for visiting a site or two along the way. To me, it simply isn't worth it to throw all that away and take the very real risk of pushing yourself past exhaustion, all to try to save a day on the road.

As for you new-to-driving 20 year old, the Interstates are about as safe as any roads on the planet and would be a good opportunity for him to contribute physically to this trip while also gaining some confidence in his driving. I wouldn't let him loose around major cities such as Indianapolis, St. Louis or Kansas City, or on the old and narrow Pennsylvania Turnpike for that matter, but anywhere else he should be able to do just fine. Let him do a two hour stretch each day to give you a break.

AZBuck

Quick question. Once I reach shortly past Rapid City, SD I can take 212 or 90. Which is the easier drive?

I've gotten momentarily lost in the maps.

US-212 is marginally shorter, both in terms of distance and time, but does not go by the Little Bighorn Battlefield. It will also have fewer services and fellow travelers than I-90. Which way you go is entirely up to you.

AZBuck

I would pretty strongly recommend I-90. Despite what google might say, US-212 isn't going to save you any time and is going to take you through much more remote country. Based on what you've told us, I don't get the impression that is what you are looking for.

Right now, it looks like you are planning for 5.5 days for this trip, so there is a little room to cut it down just to 5 days. However, it would mean you would have to give up something. You'd probably have to cut out either your trip to visit your friend, instead using the shortcut on I-74 I suggested, or missing the badlands, or possibly both.

Here's how to completely avoid the PA Turnpike tolls:

Take 183 or 61 north out of Reading to I-78. Take that to I-81 to Hagerstown MD, then I-70 to Hancock MD, I-68 to Morgantown WV, then I-79 back to I-70.