Suggestions on roads to Mnt rushmoere

[robin]

I'm going to take rt 80/90 out from NJ to South Dakota never been in that part of the country before going to be there a few days before INZANE anybody have suggestions on what roads to take? I know a lot of you have been out that way and i'll be traveling with just me and Judy so if ya got some input let me know.

  Robin

[MNBill]

I90 is good road from MN west. The stretch through SD is long and BORING. A nice stop is the rest area in Chamberlain SD clean, alot of info and great view (Google it). As for Rapid City we go the week before the Rally and just ride aound there, great scenery and not as many people. Maybe someone from Rapid City can help you but I prefered taking the truck bypass around Rapid City to get to MT Rushmore Road.

[BigMac NJ]

Robin,
 I'm not sure when you will be leaving and how much tme you will have but if you have the time then a bit of a detour slightly northwest of SD wopuld be worth your while. The Beartooth Highway will leave you off in Yellowstone. A ride past the Tetons would be the added bonus.


http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/2281/

Kevin

[R J]

Both I-80 & I-90 are boring rides in South Dakota and or Nebraska.   Hellish winds in SD, HOT and lots of traffic in Nebraska.

When I go out, I take I-80 to I-29 North and then West on I-90.

Make sure ya stop at the Badlands and drive through.   Beautiful.........   Then on to Wall Drug Store.....    If ya never been there, that is a must see at least once.........     The highway has been changed in Rapid City, (RC), I'State I'm referring to, so to get to Rushmore, you have a couple of ways.   One is straight South out of RC on highway # 16, or if you are wanting to go to Deadwood and then Rushmore, take Hwy # 385.

You can see Hill City, Custer and Custer State Park, then on to Crazy Horse Memorial.   Lots of good things to see up there.  Then head on North & West to Sturgis and go on over to Devil's Tower.  From there you can hit Cody, WY, Yellowstone National Park, and on the way back you can stop in Deadwood, SD and gamble in some of the saloon's.

[RP#62]

As with anything else, it depends on how much time you have.  We did that trip from western PA several years ago and took the interstates until we got to Iowa.  Once there we got on US 20 and rode it across Iowa to Valentine Nebraska then up to Merdo SD on I-90.  US 20 was a nice ride - good open road and not much traffic. 
-RP

[..]

I 80 to Omaha and then use Hwy 275 through Fremont and Norfolk to Hwy 20 and on to Valentine. There's a motel in Valentine(well, there was in 2005 ). Nebraska was a suprise. I had visions of completely flat boring roads and instead the rotue took me over undulating grass lands.

From Valentine keep on 20 west to 61 north into Martin SD.

Then west on 18 to the Big Foot Trail and on to the Badlands, a must see. OBEY SPEED LIMITS ON RESERVATIONS. Just do it.

Then a bit further west is Mt Rushmore. You HAVE to approach Mt. Rushmore on Alt 16 that runs due north not Alt 16 that runs westward.

[fudgie]

As with anything else, it depends on how much time you have.  We did that trip from western PA several years ago and took the interstates until we got to Iowa.  Once there we got on US 20 and rode it across Iowa to Valentine Nebraska then up to Merdo SD on I-90.  US 20 was a nice ride - good open road and not much traffic. 
-RP

Agree with US 20 in NE. Great road. I took it from Wounded Knee to Iowa in 06. 07, 08 we took it to O'Neil NE and then up to Winner SD.

[fudgie]

I'm going to take rt 80/90 out from NJ to South Dakota never been in that part of the country before going to be there a few days before INZANE anybody have suggestions on what roads to take? I know a lot of you have been out that way and i'll be traveling with just me and Judy so if ya got some input let me know.

  Robin

Drop me some mail. I'll hook you up with what you need. fudgie349@yahoo.com

I suggest not taking I-90 in Sd. As RJ stated it is windy and hot. Actually its always been windy when I'm on it. I wore a flat spot on the left side of my front tire from leaning over 250 miles into the wind. That was in 06 and never been on it since. We go through SE SD. We go through Yankton, Wagner, Winner and take 44 to Rapid City. Great road with only bike traffic.
Here are some maps of the Hills. All welcome centers has the same maps. http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/blackhills/maps/
You might want to go ahead and call about rooms out there. They book fast. Mine have been done since Dec and were already getting full, and this was in Yankton, 300 miles away.
Its a great trip and you'll be back!  This is the only reason we haven't been to IZ. 

[vanagon40]

Make sure ya stop at the Badlands and drive through.   Beautiful.........   Then on to Wall Drug Store.....    If ya never been there, that is a must see at least once.........

I had the family and a Ford van, but HIGHLY recommend the Badlands.  As far as Wall Drug Store, spend extra time in the Badlands.  To each his own.

[fudgie]

Make sure ya stop at the Badlands and drive through.   Beautiful.........   Then on to Wall Drug Store.....    If ya never been there, that is a must see at least once.........

I had the family and a Ford van, but HIGHLY recommend the Badlands.  As far as Wall Drug Store, spend extra time in the Badlands.  To each his own.

Agree. I was only in Wall once in 02. Try the Badlands in the morning or late afternoon. Well into the triple digits when we were there around noon. 

[Cleaver]

Near Custer make sure to ride Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Rd. The Custer Wildlife loop is well worth seeing, also spearfish canyon.

[fudgie]

Look here to. I hang out here quite often. Lots of info! http://www.sturgis.com/messageboard/

[sugerbear]

last june we took that trip(from st louis). just south of soux falls is hwy 18. very nice ride, plenty of small towns and beautiful scenery, no semis or heavy traffic. it also takes you straight to the bad lands.
wall was ok, good place to stop and eat, then move on. went to mt rushmore and crazyhorse, then on to glacier park.
enjoy the WIDE open spaces.

[fudgie]

last june we took that trip(from st louis). just south of soux falls is hwy 18. very nice ride, plenty of small towns and beautiful scenery, no semis or heavy traffic. it also takes you straight to the bad lands.
wall was ok, good place to stop and eat, then move on. went to mt rushmore and crazyhorse, then on to glacier park.
enjoy the WIDE open spaces.

How far is Glacier Park from Sturgis?

[R J]

Make sure ya stop at the Badlands and drive through.   Beautiful.........   Then on to Wall Drug Store.....    If ya never been there, that is a must see at least once.........

I had the family and a Ford van, but HIGHLY recommend the Badlands.  As far as Wall Drug Store, spend extra time in the Badlands.  To each his own.

What is wrong with seeing Wall Drug at least once?   I sure as 7734 didn't say stop there every year.......  Once is enough unless you have to stay that far out from Sturgis....  West of Sturgis I've seen some of them having to stay in Casper, or Sheridan, WY.

If you don't have a Motel around Rapid City (RC) or Sturgis now, GOOD LUCK in getting one.   Most people reserve and pay for the next year as they are checking out.     Thank God, I have relation in RC, SD that I can stay with.

[sugerbear]

about 700 miles to the east side.
nice ride.

[PAVALKER]

I am sure you all heard about the road closure on I-90 this weekend???


I-90 will be closed this weekend across South Dakota, both lanes. 
They are hauling a 20,000 ton lump of coal so they can add Obama to Mt Rushmore.


 
 
 

[RevJim]

I went to google maps and checked out the satellite images of Hyw 20 in Nebraska and Hwy 44 in SD.  I like the looks of 44 especially around the Missouri River.  It also takes you right to the Badlands.  We're heading there at the end of June on our way to Oregon.

[BigAlOfMD]

   Thank God, I have relation in RC, SD that I can stay with.

I didn't know there was a cave in Dinosaur Park. LOL 

[mcdonald]

From one that has been in Sturgis every year for at least 25, the following are must see or must do:
(1) needles highway; (2) Ride to and meal (burger) in Rochford; (3) run the Spearfish Canyon (4) Crazy Horse for sure.

[shortleg]

   I think R.J. has it down pat.
 That is what I did when I rode out there last summer.
   What I did was I took rt35 off of 90 at Albert Lea to rt14west.
 This road will show you some great country.
  This route will take you into the town of Wall.This place is great.
   Then on to Rushmore.

[MNBill]

Just saw on the news, I90 in western MN is going to be resurfaced this year, it did not say when that project was going to start or stop though so parts of that will be 2 lane.

In the post above this, I90 to I35 at Albert Lea MN. Then north to Owatonna and hook up on US14 there. Owatonna has a big Cabelas store that has some great stuffed animal displays to see too. Most of US14 is two lane in MN but the few parts that are 4 lane are new and smooth. US 14 in MN will take you through alot of small towns.

[fudgie]

Just saw on the news, I90 in western MN is going to be resurfaced this year, it did not say when that project was going to start or stop though so parts of that will be 2 lane.

In the post above this, I90 to I35 at Albert Lea MN. Then north to Owatonna and hook up on US14 there. Owatonna has a big Cabelas store that has some great stuffed animal displays to see too. Most of US14 is two lane in MN but the few parts that are 4 lane are new and smooth. US 14 in MN will take you through alot of small towns.

Road construction also on i-90 from Whitwood to Rapid city in SD. They are gonna stop before the rally and continue after the rally. Not sure the exact dates they will stop but I think at least a week before.

[fudgie]

From one that has been in Sturgis every year for at least 25, the following are must see or must do:
(1) needles highway; (2) Ride to and meal (burger) in Rochford; (3) run the Spearfish Canyon (4) Crazy Horse for sure.

Rochford... You know, alot have told me stop and get a burger there. I asked why, and they didn't have a answer!  ??? Gonna stop this year tho. I like spearfish. There is a outhouse there that i make a yearly stop at. Just aliitle ways into the woods. Then we head accross the road to the creek and chill awhile. Then we stop at DQ for food.
also the vore buffalo jump just into WY is a neat stop. Right along the interstate past Beuhla WY.

[yukon]

When you get here, don't ride on Vanocker Canyon Road, Spearfish Canyon Road, Iron Mountain Road, Rockerville Road, Nemo Road, Highway 44, Highway 36, Custer State Park, or Wind Cave National Park.

They're all so scenic and such a hoot to ride on (especially in third gear at 3ooo rpm) that you might fall off your bike.