Boston to Portland,OR

[PDXBound]

I'm looking for some suggestions on places to stop on my way to Portland, OR from Boston. I'll be traveling alone, mid July, and don't have any time restraints, but don't want to take forever either.

So far, I've got a rough trip planned on AAA TripTik that puts me through Keystone, SD to take a look at Mt.Rushmore. I guess I'll be on I-90 quite a bit. I'm 37, a grahic designer, and don't want to miss any great attractions that might be only slightly out of my way.

I've read a lot of the replies to the posts, and you guys are really helpful, so I'm sure you'll point me in the right direction.

Thanks,

C.

[Midwest Michael]

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

If your route is taking you to Mt. Rushmore, and you've got the time, spend a couple days in the area. There's also the badlands, Custer State Park, Wind and Jewel Caves, the Minuteman Missle Historical Site, Deadwood, and while its a little early, I suspect Sturgis would be getting ready for the annual motorcycle rally in August.

There are lots of other things along the way, It wouldn't hurt to put I-90 in the Forum Search Engine to get more suggestions for other parts of the route.

[drb]

As a graphic designer you will not want to miss the Badlands. Very cool visuals.

[RoadTripper 101]

Hello,
In traveling through SD I have stopped in Mitchell which has the Corn Palace and Cabela's. To visit The Minuteman Missle National Historic Site you must have reservations. All of the information is listed on the National Parks website. (If you are interested in visiting many National Parks, it would be wise to purchase a National Parks pass for $50.00. It is good for a year from the date of purchase and good for all National Parks). I agree with Michael in that the Black Hills area is worth spending a few days if possible. Badlands Natiional Park has a loop off of Rt 90 making it an easy stop. It is worth the stop. Wall Drug is another place of interest just after the Badlands. The western portion of the SD Black Hills is a perfect vacation area. Deadwood is one of my favorites. It is a small western town with daily reenactments of Wild Bill's dead man's hand shooting. There is also gaming.

In WY a sidetrip to Devil's Tower National Monument is also worth the detour. Buffalo WY is another western town.

In MT, the Little Bighorn Battlefield NM in Crow Agency is just off Rt 90. It is where Custer's Last Stand took place and now both sides of the battle are depicted in park markers. There is a driving tour as well as hiking trails in the park.

I don't really know your interests, but I would visit Yellowstone National Park if I were so close. You can exit Rt 90 past Billings and drive Rt 212 through Red Lodge, MT over Beartooth Pass. Beartooth Pass is a beautiful mountain drive and was just repaired and reopened due to damage in 2004. Yellowstone has to be seen to be appreciated. You could exit Yellowstone through the north (Gardiner) or the west (West Yellowstone) to drive back to Rt 90. Yellowstone NP may also be reached by exiting Rt 90 in Sheridan, WY and travel Rt 14 through Cody, WY to Yellowstone's east entrance. Cody is great and the Buffolo Bill Historical Center one the best I've been to. The only problem with this route is that the East entrance to Yellowstone is having major road repairs. We drove this route last October. I would check with the park to verify the repair status. Last year we stayed in Missosula on the way to Glacier NP.

Hope you have a great trip.

Diana

[AZBuck]

Normally, I would recommend that you put down some miles for the first couple of days and then start taking the time to see stuff. After all, the places close to home are accessible by shorter trips than you're planning. But this sounds like you're making a semi-permanent move, in which case the stuff at the end of your trip is what will be within range of your new home. If that's the case then you'll want to give some consideration to stopping at all the places in the east that you've always meant to get to but never quite found the time for, such as the Erie Canal, Letchworth State Park, Niagara Falls, Put-in-Bay or Kelley's Island in Lake Erie, the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, WI. Once you get into South Dakota, the number of attractive stops really starts to pick up, as you've seen from your other responses. For some worthwhile roads and stops in northern Idaho and western Washington, check this post, and enjoy the ride!

AZBuck

[PDXBound]

I knew I would get some great advice. Thanks SO much, I've got at least
a month before I go, and yes it's a relocation, so I'll follow up on all the
great suggestions and plan a nice long trip.

You guys are great,

C.