September Trip, Texas to Rushmore, then Yellowstone.

[itchy1]

Hi, new member, does anyone have suggestions on best route to pull 5th wheel from DFW area to Rushmore then Yellowstone and Tetons then back.
We are retired and looking to use as little diesel as possible.
We don't care to travel through Kansas.
Thanks

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America forums!

The first decision you're going to have to make is whether you'd rather avoid Kansas or burn many more gallons of diesel. The most efficient route from DFW to Rapid City uses I-35/I-135 to Salina, then 'stairsteps' northwestward on I-70/US-183, I-80/US-83, I-90. Since Kansas lies directly athwart your route, going out of your way to avoid that beautiful state would add at least a hundred miles to your drive.

On your way back from Jackson, WY, you can avoid Kansas by taking US-191 down to Rock Springs, I-80 east to Cheyenne, I-25 south to Raton, NM and US-87/US-287 back home.

AZBuck

[itchy1]

I appreciate the reply ABZ. The route I am concerned with is from Mt. Rushmore to Yellowstone. I would like to know the route with the least amount of grade. This is so I don't have a strenuous pull up or burn up my brakes going down an incline.
Thanks again.

[glc]

I did a bit of research with Google Earth, and the easiest way looks to be this - take US-16 down into Rapid City and pick up I-90. Take that to US-89 and go in that way. It's considerably longer than taking US-14 but it looks a lot less mountainous.