Baltimore, MD to Portland, OR June 2013

[linabeana33]

Hello friends!
I will be moving cross country and will be beginning the drive from Maryland to Portland, OR on 6/10. Any advice that you have or things to see along the way, I would be most appreciative.

I plan on going the northern route, through Chicago and Minnesota and then directly west, hopefully hitting Yellowstone and some other sights. We will be departing on June 10th, and don't have to be in Portland until June 17th, so I want to make this as fun as possible.

I would like to stop in Chicago for a day, and possibly Minneapolis. Thanks!

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

You've got eight days for your trip. Baltimore to Portland is a minimum of five days driving. Throw in a slightly longer route to head up through the northern Plains and Yellowstone, and you're looking at five and a half days. Spend a day in Chicago and a day in Minneapolis and you've used up seven and aha lf of your eight days. That only leaves a half day for a 'quick' look at Yellowstone. The problem with that is that early to mid June, while technically spring, is still likely to produce winter weather in Yellowstone - cold, wet, and blustery. On the plus side, and for the same reason, there shouldn't be large crowds until a bit later in the season. So, as you can see, there is barely time to do everything you've already listed let alone for adding more things to see and do. Personally, I'd skip Yellowstone on this drive and plan on visiting it from Portland sometime in late fall, October or even early November, when you can devote more time to it. Then you can spend the little spare time you have seeing other sights along the way, particularly in western South Dakota including Badlands National Park, Devils Tower, and other sights.

AZBuck