Sioux City to Tetons

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Tin man

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Joined
Feb 20, 2011
Posts
1,507
Location
Long island NY
Any one travel on Route 20 from Sioux City to Wyoming.  Is it a good road Lights? Many towns? 

On the way back from Montana I'm looking  at traveling on route 2. Final destination is Long Island

Any suggestions where to visit?  Like the largest ball of twine?  It is definitely off the beaten track....

Thanks

Jim
 
We drove US 2 from Superior, WI, to Grand Coulee, WA, last summer.  It's a good road, but not an interstate.  Almost no campsites in far eastern MT and ND west of Minot due to the oil workers.
 
Thanks Ned, I was going to try the leisurely ride on 2.  I noticed the only campgrounds were on casino grounds. 

Wanted to drive it from Montana too MN. How is the scenery?  Security?
 
There are campgrounds along US 2, not just casinos, but they are far apart in many places.  Not all are listed in the campground directories either.  Check rvparkreviews.com for campgrounds in the various areas.  The scenery in MT is fine, ND is mostly plains.
 
Tin man said:
Thanks Ned, I was going to try the leisurely ride on 2.  I noticed the only campgrounds were on casino grounds. 

Wanted to drive it from Montana too MN. How is the scenery?  Security?
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As for the Security issue, use basic common sense and you will be fine. I've always gotten the feeling that visiting some towns on the Indian Reservations is almost like stepping into a third world country/inner city ghetto.

Also, the oil field patch has its own headaches and the crush of humanity causes other social problems. Just be careful driving, because some of the people do not drive the best due to the long hours worked each day for days on end.

Don't be surprised if you pick up a rock chip or two or three.

Good luck,

Oly
 
You can get rock chips on any highway, even interstates.  I wouldn't let that keep you from traveling US 2.
 
U.S. 20 was one of the main East/West highways before the construction of the Interstate system. It is the highway described by John Steinbeck in "Travels with Charlie". It has been many years, but I have driven it from Rockford, IL. to Yellowstone several times. The last time was after the completion of I-80 and many of the very small communities that consisted of a store, a gas station and a small cafe/restaurant at the intersection of two highways were gone. A couple of years ago, we drove US-20 West from Casper to Yellowstone. It was good two lane road. Thermopolis and Cody are worth visiting along the way. We prefer the U.S. highways and avoid the Interstates whenever we can.
 
Regarding security, I have absolutely no data or facts to back it up, but in my opinion one is much safer travelling through small town America than in rest stops and truck stops along the interstates. Many small towns in Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska have city parks with a few campsites. Checkout the ultimate public campground project, Free campgrounds and Free Campsites for the locations. Last year we traveled US-36 across northern Kansas. We stayed in several small town parks where all the other occupants were the dreaded "workers". We were always given a warm welcome and never felt unsafe.
 
Trailer traveler said:
Regarding security, I have absolutely no data or facts to back it up, but in my opinion one is much safer travelling through small town America than in rest stops and truck stops along the interstates.
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I would agree with that until you hit the oil patch. And I am not blaming the workers, they are either working or sleeping, but some of the people that have migrated to the area to either find a job and can't or are supplying the area with illegal products.

THOSE are the ones I would have a fear of, not the small town locals.

That and the traffic... the traffic is horrible.

Oly
 
The security question was directed at the influx of oil workers.  If I knew where they were located (towns or counties) I would plan my trip accordingly. 

Traffic was mentioned. I would hope these routes were not too heavily travelled. 

Thanks for the info.. 

Jim
 
Oly will have better knowledge and probably first hand experiences.

What I have heard and would expect is looking at the MT and ND maps is that anything east of Glasgow in the north and Miles city in the south in MT and west of Minot in the north and Bismarck in the south and including both cities in ND would be problem areas for both traffic and security.  The oil in being shipped by both truck and rail as is the equipment coming in to support the drilling.  To add insult, there are wind farms being built in these areas and that  also involves large equipment.  Add to that the workers commuting to and from work all hours and it is a mess.

I am basing this on what I hear from friends in the area and our local news reports NOT first hand knowledge.
 
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh progress.  It looks like we will take 90 back.  So much for the leisurely ride. I can just imagine the construction on Rt 80 and 90.

Thanks for the info.  This blog is a big help..

Hope there are blog members at Forest City in July..

Need to pay my dues.

Jim
 
If you take 90 back, there is lots to see and do.  Stop in Bozeman, the Museum of the Rockies is here.  They have a good show of dinosaur stuff, the curator was technical consultant for the Jurassic Park movies and I am not sure what the special exhibits are this year.

There are other special places too.  Take a side trip to Red Lodge and drive the Beartooth Hwy and the Chief Joseph Hwy too all in the same day.  If Your timing is right for a steak dinner and then watch the pig races while in Red Lodge.  Stop at Crow Agency and tour the Custer/Indian battlefield.  Again if the timing is right, there is a re-enactment.

In WY, Buffalo is an interesting town to spend an afternoon and evening.  On to the Devil's Tower and stay in the camp in the park and watch the prairie dogs.

The Black hills are next as is Custer State Park in SD.

There is lots more if you have the time.
 
Jim,

Have you stayed at the park in Devil's Tower?  I plan on making a reservation there on my way from Yellowstone to Rochester. 

Mike
 
RV Lyfe said:
Have you stayed at the park in Devil's Tower?  I plan on making a reservation there on my way from Yellowstone to Rochester. 
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Mike,

Yes we did.  I don't remember the facility hookups but I do remember it was quiet, the prairie dogs, a few deer came through in the evening.  There were  quite a few open spots as I recall.  There is also a KOA just outside the park but we don't usually stop at KOAs if there is a reasonable alternative.

Go to Google Earth and look at it.
 
If my memory is correct, the campground at Devil's Tower is first come first serve and there are no hookups. Water spigots but no dump station.
 
Trailer traveler said:
If my memory is correct, the campground at Devil's Tower is first come first serve and there are no hookups. Water spigots but no dump station.
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Could be why I don't remember hookups!  :)  We usually do not need water for a few days while traveling although we don't normally have a full tank unless going boon docking.
 
On our return from Yellowstone, in 91 we stayed at Devils Tower at the KOA. 26 ft MH 4 adults, 2 children, and a dog needed hook ups.  Every night they showed the movie Close Encounters of the third Kind. (filmed it on there property. 

We are going to stop in Crow city? Custers  on our way back this summer.

If you stop at Devils Tower you have to stop at Mt Rushmore.

Jim

 
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