Comparing Routes Across The Central Sates

It seems I-94 is something of a mystery interstate. Except for folks living in Minnesota, Wisconsin and the UP of Michigan, I-94 is seldom used by cross-country travelers, probably because it is too far north.

Here's my experience with the 3 northern most routes:
I-94 gives you the variety of Minneapolis, a long trip through the prairie, and then eventually into the spectacular Badlands of ND, MT, and T.R.N.P. It's the only place where I've seen buffalo wandering around rest area parking lots. It is also the slowest of the 3 with 70 mph speeds through MN and ND, and If you're going cross country from its split from 90 in Wisconsin to rejoining it in MT adds quite a few extra miles.

I-90 has probably more scenery, With a 10 mile stretch along the Mississippi river, a few hundred miles of farmland before crossing the Missouri in SD approaching the badlands. You also are within miles of things like Devils Tower, Mt. Rushmore, the Corn Palace, and its also takes you relatively close to Yellowstone.

I-80 is usually my route of choice if I need to get somewhere fast, although Speed Limits in Iowa are still at 65. 80 has much better connections to the rest of the country (i.e. I-76 to Denver), at least for the places I need to go.

I have never seen Buffalo in rest area parking lots, sounds pretty crazed to me. The only thing close was an encounter with a slightly rabid coyote in a rest stop along US-395 near Mammoth Lakes one year. The darn thing tried to jump into my lap...

Great comments. Thanks!

I use it very often...but then again...I live in Wisconsin...Illinois & Minnesota residents use it a lot too!!! It can be very scenic...especially in the Spring with all the blossoms & in the fall with all the autumn foliage...

What are your favorite sections? It is one of the few interstates we have not used very much.

My favorite section is from the Portage, Baraboo area, through the Wisconsin Dells...just North West of Madison....
and across the rest of the state....lots of trees, rock formations, hills and farms!!!