Milwaukee WI to West Yellowstone MT

A friend and I would like to see Yellowstone NP next summer (2014). While I don't mind driving across country (did it in 2010), she seems a little reluctant. Neither of us are spring chickens so if we could find an inexpensive alternative way to get there it would be nice. And, while this is ROAD TRIP America, does anyone have any suggestions other than Amtrak? Amtrak is certainly cheap enough but the closest we can get is Salt Lake City with arrival there at 11:05 PM. Only buses I could find were tours and we don't need a tour, we just need a way from here to there. It's difficult for one person to do all the brainstorming so any suggestions would be very much appreciated. Thanks much!

Greyhound does have service from Milwaukee to West Yellowstone. It looks like it would take you about 2.5 days, with 2 transfers. That doesn't sound nearly as appealing as driving to me, but it would be an option.

Otherwise, you could look at airfare options. When you factor in gas and motel costs, it might not actually cost all that much more than driving, especially if you're willing to fly to Salt Lake and rent a car from there. Otherwise, you could look at the cost of flying into Jackson, Billings, or Bozeman.

If you and your friend have never taken an extended trip on Greyhound, let me warn you. I am no 'spring chicken' either, and believe me, I have had my fill of long Greyhound trips. Two and a half days with two transfers and you may not be in any condition to enjoy Yellowstone. Sleeping on a Greyhound is nigh on impossible, definitely uncomfortable, and it would be just your luck that the transfer is sometime in the wee small hours of the morning at some small place where you will be standing around waiting for the next bus.

After an experience like that, you will both be wishing you had driven. BTW, it is a lovely drive with lots of interesting things to see along the way.

Lifey

I'm with Lifey -- hubby and I went by bus (Trailways, however) years ago, from Meridian MS to Casa Grande AZ. Our transfer was in Dallas in the wee hours of the night. Our arrival in Casa Grande was at 10 pm and the bus station was closed, so we had to wait for our ride (who had accidentally gone to the Greyhound station) to figure out that he was at the wrong station. We vowed to never go by bus again.


Donna

It seems like all modes of transportation I've researched are not any where near as convenient as driving... too many stops, late arrival or early departure times, car rental issues, etc. Neither of us is too thrilled with flying. Plus I don't want to miss all the neat stuff to see between here and there! Sure hope I can talk her into driving.

I'll keep checking here at RTA for a few more days just in case there are a couple more suggestions.

Thanks everyone!

I really can't imagine what other options you'd have, other than a charter bus tour, which you'd already said you weren't interested in. Really, Greyhound is the only national bus option (even they are contracting out to others for some of the trip), and Amtrak is the country's only passenger train service. Any option other than driving would really require you to rent a car, as there aren't many good options to get around Yellowstone without one.

Yellowstone is an amazing place, but it is a long way from any major cities, which does make mass-transit a real big challenge.

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Originally Posted by Midwest Michael

I really can't imagine what other options you'd have, other than a charter bus tour, which you'd already said you weren't interested in. Really, Greyhound is the only national bus option (even they are contracting out to others for some of the trip), and Amtrak is the country's only passenger train service. Any option other than driving would really require you to rent a car, as there aren't many good options to get around Yellowstone without one.

Yellowstone is an amazing place, but it is a long way from any major cities, which does make mass-transit a real big challenge.

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Amazing doesn't even come close to describing Yellowstone! Don't know why I love it there so much. Maybe because it IS such a long way from any major cities. It's really a nice drive too. The trip home is what seems like an eternity.

Thanks everyone for your input.

A friend and I are taking a 2 week road trip from Milwaukee to Yellowstone in June 2014. We have our itinerary all planned but have run into one little glitch. We were planning on staying at the Motel 6 in Miles City MT, first stop on the way home. However, the motel is having computer issues and will not be able to take reservations until possibly MARCH! There are not many motels out in the wilds of Montana let alone as inexpensive as a Motel 6 (we're 2 retired people living on Social Security). From what I can find online, we have some other choices in Miles City or we can travel on to Glendive MT.

Reviews I've read online about motels in these towns are few and far between but the ones I've found have not been too favorable. Some people making one or two sound downright dangerous because of "ND transient oil workers."

Any suggestions on less expensive motels in either of these towns? What have you experienced?

Thanks.

Mod. note. Please keep all questions reagrding this trip here. Thank-you.

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

The shortest route between Yellowstone and Milwaukee does not go through Miles City. The shortest route would be to leave Yellowstone via US-14 east (the Bighorn Scenic Highway)to join I-90 at Ranchester WY. Going through Miles City implies that you'll be going north out of Yellowstone to I-90 and then using I-94 when it splits off. That adds about 50 miles to your drive, besides the problems you're having with the Motel 6 in Miles City. If you were to use US-14/I-90 east from Yellowstone, and did about the same amount of driving you are proposing for your Miles City Stop, then your first night's stop could be around Cody WY. While there is no Motel 6 in Cody, there are a few motels with two queen bed rooms for around $55-60 plus tax. You might also be able to get a 10% discount at some of them as members of AAA or AARP if applicable. Taking a different route on the way back also gives you the opportunity to see sights and attractions that you didn't see on your way west.

AZBuck

Miles City has a reasonably large selection of hotels, including a handful of other budget chains like Super 8 and Econolodge. I don't think it is a place where reservations should be mandatory - and you certainly don't have to make them a full 6 months before your trip.

Other than Miles City or Glendive, Forsyth has a handful of motels. Actually your biggest selection would likely be in Billings. It would be a fairly long couple of days, but it would be possible to get back to 'Stallis from Billings in two days, with an overnight around Fargo

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Originally Posted by AZBuck

The shortest route would be to leave Yellowstone via US-14 east (the Bighorn Scenic Highway)to join I-90 at Ranchester WY.

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At Cody you could divert onto Alt 14, which is an incredibly scenic route through Lovell, past Big Horn Canyon and a short walk to the Medicine Wheel... picking up I-90, as above.

Lifey

If you are going through Miles City, that tells me you will be leaving Yellowstone via the Beartooth Highway? HIGHLY recommended.

I have stayed at the Super 8 in Miles City, it's no worse than the Motel 6 and it's cheap.

I guess I should've explained that we're leaving Milwaukee WI via SD I-90 and returning thru ND via I-94. Theodore Roosevelt NP is on the itinerary.

I've taken Alt 14 in the past and it is beautiful. I've heard that the Beartooth Highway is quite an adventure that I'm not sure we're up to. My travel companion is a little apprehensive about mountain driving to begin with so we've decided that staying on the interstate, even tho it adds mileage, is a better way to go for us.

In any case, our glitch has been taken care of and we do have a place to stay... in Glendive MT. We've added Makoshika state park to our itinerary too.

Thanks everyone!