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.

 

[FamilyMan]

Once east of the Black Hills and Badlands National Park, I-90 through South Dakota really has nothing to offer. Depending on the time of year North Dakota will at least be greener.

 

[RealMuddyboots]

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 would suggest by passing Chicago by traveling to Manitowoc WI to take the Ferry across Lake Michigan to Ludington Michigan. In Manitowoc, there is a Maritime Museum of Great Lakes, includes how submarines for WWII were built there. Once in Ludington, swing north to Traverse City explore wineries. Head across Mackinac bridge and drive to Whitefish Point to visit the Great Lakes Maritime museum. Great stuff on the Fitzgerald. Heading west, stop at Picture Rocks area, beautiful stop plus opportunity to go out on glass bottom boats for wreck tour.

Gaylord Michigan visit Jays Spts. Really nice place.

Just a thought! Enjoy your trip!

 

[Rogerdoger]

If your looking for interstate travel I would do I90, black hills/badlands are fun, big horns in Wyoming are pretty cool (they have a higher peak than the entire state of Montana). Plenty to see and do once you get past Billings. Then in previous post turn left in Missoula and head down the lochsa. Or stay as north as you can get and do 94 to US 2 and work your way toward glacier park and the work your way through northern Idaho and Washington. Either way it will be a good road trip. Have fun!

 

[undercover]

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.

Where in Michigan are you planning? Born and raised here. You’ll love it

 

[Dakotakid]

What time of year is the annual trip?
If you said it I missed it.

 

[BrentD]

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.

Take the backroads or at last the non-interstate. Do it by dead reckoning. Just head west out of Fargo and see where it takes you. But get off the Super-Slab

 

[Caseknife]

I'm with @BrentD, stay off the interstate unless you are short on time. If I am traveling to see the country I use the secondary roads. Don't use your GPS, grab an Atlas Gazetteer and follow that. Travel like that and you will see a lot more interesting country. Don't go in a straight line, zigzag, go with your instincts and curiosity.

When we are on an out of state hunt we will always try to find an alternate route home where we haven't been before.

 

[BrentD]

Always look for an interesting diner to eat. Ant two hard and fast rules are NEVER pass a gun shop or a GDI ice cream stand or shop. NEVER.

You could even put an OnX mark on the best ones and post them on HT.

Do not use maps to navigate if possible.

 

[RealMuddyboots]

The last cross country vacation we took from Michigan we pulled out of driveway and headed west. No itinerary for 3 weeks. Was best vacation of our lives. Sometimes a road sign redirected us over a 100 miles. We backtracked few times but didn't care. If off main roads, make sure you start with full tank. It can get interesting when off beat secondary roads. We stopped in a little cafe middle nowhere. Lot packed. The menu was meat eaters haven! Best steak I ever had! OMG, veggies fresh, ice cold beer. Wish I marked down where it was! I wished we kept a daily log but nope! Hint!

 

[Nick87]

Always look for an interesting diner to eat. Ant two hard and fast rules are NEVER pass a gun shop or a GDI ice cream stand or shop. NEVER.

You could even put an OnX mark on the best ones and post them on HT.

Do not use maps to navigate if possible.

When I retire, I would like to just take a drive for weeks at a time wandering aimlessly.