ideas for traversing the Northern tier states

[Cammy]

My wife and I are planning our annual trip East from Sacramento CA area to Mid-Michigan. We have done the I-80, I-70 and I-40 routes and this year would like to cover the Northern Tier states. On the return leg we would leave central Michigan exit the state through the UP and enter Wisconsin. From there we plan to cross into Minnesota, hit North and South Dakota, Montana, Idaho Wash, Oregon into Ca. I-90 should cover Montana and points West. Need ideas for efficiently tackling the Dakotas. it looks like I-94 to Fargo and then I-29 South to I-90 would do it but wondering is there a more direct method.

 

[Bow Bullet]

No great way to hit both Dakotas directly on a one way. Maybe instead of heading south on I-29 to Sioux Falls, take I-94 all the way to Medora and Teddy Roosevelt NP. After seeing the Park, backtrack a few miles to US85 and head down to Spearfish/I-90 and see the Black Hills.

 

[Bow Bullet]

On second thought, if you're dead set on seeing the Corn Palace and Wall Drug, stick with your original suggestion.

 

[MNElkNut]

I would agree with staying on 94 until the badlands and heading south to the Black Hills. Fargo to Sioux Falls is not real entertaining.

 

[Beignet]

My wife and I are planning our annual trip East from Sacramento CA area to Mid-Michigan. We have done the I-80, I-70 and I-40 routes and this year would like to cover the Northern Tier states. On the return leg we would leave central Michigan exit the state through the UP and enter Wisconsin. From there we plan to cross into Minnesota, hit North and South Dakota, Montana, Idaho Wash, Oregon into Ca. I-90 should cover Montana and points West. Need ideas for efficiently tackling the Dakotas. it looks like I-94 to Fargo and then I-29 South to I-90 would do it but wondering is there a more direct method.

I’d personally choose one Dakota. Gotta keep one in the reserve tank for later. If I had to choose, it’d be the northern one with a stop at Roosevelt NP. However, the southern one does open up the possibility of a detour to Devil’s Tower in WY, which is pretty neat.

FWIW, Broadus books its self as the “Wavingest Town in the West.” I haven’t been waved to there once. Not worth the detour if you’re looking for waves. Hahahaha

 

[jryoung]

Not Dakotas, but I'd turn left in Missoula, take 12 along the Lochsa towards Lewiston, La Grande, Bend then Klamaths Falls.

 

[Salmonchaser]

Get off the freeway;
Williston ND through Glasgow to Havre MT.
Cut southwest on 87 to Great Falls
Take 200 to the zoo
12 over LoLo pass to Lewiston/Clarkston
South on 129/3 to Enterprise, or.
82 to La Grande, Give us a call
244 to Ukaih,Oregon
395 to John Day to Burns
205 to French Glen, stay the night at the French Glen hotel
South and west via a couple of county roads to Kfalls. Then into California. I dont’ know beans about California.

 

[Gellar]

U.S. Highway 2

 

[brymoore]

Idaho - Take 20/26 across from Idaho Falls to Mountain Home. Great scenic drive.

 

[NR_Hunter]

I’d take HWY 20 across Nebraska and avoid as much of either Dakotas as possible.