Road Trip To Yellowstone National Park From Chicago
From Chicago to Yellowstone National Park, a breathtaking drive to America’s first national park—Yellowstone—will transport you from the exceptional Lakes to the breathtaking nature.
The 1,340-mile journey from Chicago to Yellowstone National Park involves more than twenty hours of nonstop driving through Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wyoming wildernesses. give three or four days to enjoy fully the scenic tour.
You should know the best spots to stop and relax on the route to Yellowstone National Park from Chicago.
Can you tell me exactly how far it is from Chicago to Yellowstone National Park and how long the drive will be?
This may be the longest trip most people take. The length of the direct route is 1,340 miles, and it takes roughly 20 hours to drive there.
Knowing how long the trip is, we no longer want to be the cause of it. Yet, we’ll deviate on the route just to make sure you get the chance to see all that’s out there.
This will be the only objective of the 1,390 miles and roughly 20 hours of travel. Why not add an extra 50 miles if it means you can have more memorable interactions than you would have otherwise, given that we will be stopping regularly along the way?
How to Get the Most Out of Your Road Trip from Chicago to Yellowstone National Park
Though it’s a long way to Yellowstone National Park, the main route is very direct because you’ll be taking multiple highways on this trip. Rural areas are reached by major highways, so you won’t have to worry about lacking out on specific sights and views.
You should take care of the matter of renting a car for your vacation as soon as possible, whether you’re flying into Chicago or simply do not possess a vehicle in the city.
Heading Yellowstone National Park from Chicago
We start on I-88, which begins on the west side of the city and ends near the Iowa state boundary. From here, proceed on I-80 West for about 285 miles until you approach just northwest of Omaha.
Proceed west by taking I-880, where it begins, and follow it for 16.5 miles before changing to I-29 and heading north to Sioux Falls.
You’re spending one-third of your trip on one highway, as we cruise nearly 556 miles west on I-90 to Buffalo, Wyoming, at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains.
We are going to enjoy the last 220 miles of our visit
Best stop-overs between Chicago and Yellowstone National Park
As you may consider, the trip from Chicago to Yellowstone should be split up into several stops.
While we will review everything to see later, we should first look at the best places to camp to make the most of the lengthy drive.
Madison
Wisconsin is a great starting place for your journey from Chicago to Yellowstone National Park. Madison, located between the gorgeous lakes Mendota and Monona, has a thriving cultural scene, historic milestones, and several outdoor recreation activities. Begin your trip by walking down State Street, a busy pedestrian-only walk filled with a variety of restaurants, galleries, and shopping centers.
Experience this impressive building’s elegant marble interiors, and high dome with a guided tour. Enjoy expansive views of the city and neighboring lakes from the rooftop observatory, which adds an excellent feature to your stay.
A relaxed break in Des Moines
Our most memorable destination is 330 miles west of Chicago, in the province of Iowa. Des Moines, the state’s capital and largest city, is a beautiful area often overlooked. While the city has plenty to do, the surrounding sights may be the best reason to visit.
Winterset is a small town outside of Des Moines best known for being the birthplace of the legendary John Wayne. His residence has been transformed into a museum that displays information about his life and where he was born.
This historical center will allow you to get to know one of the most famous personalities ever on a level of privacy.
We are heading to Wyoming which is known as Cowboy Country, preferable to stop to find more on cattle rustlers en route?
This outing is turning out to be one you will not neglect, so why not make it significantly more exceptional by staying at the Hotel Des Moines, by Hilton
Its ideal place in the core of Des Moines puts you in the center of everything, with attractions like the Pappajohn Park and the Science Centre of Iowa.
Exploring Yellowstone National Park on the road from Chicago
Extend your journey by spending time in Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls, which is situated about the midway point on our route from Chicago to Yellowstone National Park, is the ideal location for splitting the journey in two. Sioux Falls, the state’s most populated city, is located along the banks of the Big Sioux River.
The city is mainly known for its breathtaking range of parks and open areas, including Falls Park, which is home to the waterfalls that gave the city its name.
This is a perfect spot to get a taste of what Yellowstone National Park has in its gear while being close to civilization so that you can easily at the end of the day, relax with an excellent meal or a drink.
Despite a few nice places to stay, I’d suggest booking a room at the wonderful Clubhouse Hotel Sioux Falls, which is located directly on the river and has a very natural feel.
A short tour to Rapid City
You will arrive at Rapid City after traveling through the whole state of South Dakota and before taking the I-90 around the Black Hills National Forest.
Several national parks and forests, the Deadwood Old Town, animal safaris, the Sturgis Festival, Crazy Horse, and the Mount Rushmore monuments are all conveniently located near you.
Less than 90 minutes southeast of the city is the location of the well-known Wounded Knee Massacre, assuming you wish to take a slightly extended drive.
You need to stay at the Sweetgrass Inn Bed & Breakfast because this is a journey focused on discovering the natural side of this stunning region of the world, so it only makes logical that our place of stay should do the same.
This lovely bed & breakfast features gorgeous landscaping and comfortable rooms that give it a homely atmosphere. During your visit, an excellent breakfast is available to you each morning. Along with a restaurant, the B&B occasionally hosts entertainment every night.
Dinosaur Park and the Journey Museum will be only a short drive away.
Things to see while heading to Yellowstone National Park from Chicago
It can be difficult to make sure you visit everything you want to see on these vacations because, as I mentioned earlier, there are so many sights and attractions.
The greatest things to see along the way are listed below, so you may check them off as you go and keep track of your success.
1-Iowa Cornfields – If you’re traveling through the state in the summer, these enormous fields will stand out to you.
2-Des Moines The largest and capital city of Iowa is Des Moines.
The John Wayne Birthplace Museum is a tiny museum honoring the life and career of the actor, housed in the mansion where he was born and carefully restored in 1907. It is situated in the village of Winterset.
3-Omaha, the state capital of Nebraska, is worth visiting to see its charming neighborhoods, world-famous zoo, and thriving beer and savory scenes.
4-Sioux Falls– The capital and largest city of South Dakota is Sioux Falls.
5-Wall Drug: This area, which borders Badlands National Park, is home to Lots of restaurants, shops, and, yes, pharmacies with a Wild West theme.
6-Badlands National Park is home to a unique combination of steep canyons and vast grasslands. Watch carefully for the bighorn sheep and bison that live in the Badlands.
7-Rapid City, the second-biggest city in South Dakota, you may still feel at home.
8-Wind Cave National Park Beneath the South Dakotan grasslands and forests, next to Custer State Park, one of the world’s longest and most complex cave systems.
9-Deadwood is a sizable Wild West town in the Black Hills where you may visit the site of Wild Bill Hickok’s murder and stroll the same streets as the illustrious Officer John Earp.
10-Crazy Horse Memorial: A massive carving of the native war leader, under construction since 1948 with no end in sight, is perhaps the second-largest statue in the world.
11-Mount Rushmore: Carved into the Black Hills rockface, this iconic monument features portraits of some of the most well-known US presidents.
12-Black Hills National Forest The 1.25 million-acre is a mixture of mountains and woods located in South Dakota’s southwest.
13-Devils Tower National Monument: This well-known geological feature is equally hidden and gorgeous.
14-Thunder Basin National Grassland is a large, level grassland. one of America’s first protected woods, and is home to the Medicine Wheel National Historic Museum.
The 2.5 million-acre Shoshone National Forest is the oldest protected forest in the country.
The ideal time to travel to Yellowstone National Park by Road from Chicago
The main goal of this tour is to explore the beautiful outdoor scenery. Everything you do will take place outside, including hiking, sightseeing, picnics, and maybe even camping.
Thus, we need to ensure that we have nice weather for this trip if we want it to be enjoyable. Fortunately, even in the height of summer, the temperature doesn’t soar to terrible heights as it does in certain other national parks, including Death Valley of Grand Canyon.
May through September is the ideal time of year to take a road trip from Chicago to Yellowstone. There won’t be much risk of rain and the weather will be mild, making this the ideal time for you to explore the outdoors. In July and August, be ready to share your experience with crowds of visitors.
Keep in mind that certain routes within and to Yellowstone National Park close during the winter. You won’t be able to fully see Yellowstone National Park in all its beauty, but you can still travel from Chicago and stay just outside the National Park using snowmobiles, skis, or other transportation options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is it to drive from Chicago to Yellowstone?
The drive from Chicago to Yellowstone commonly requires around 16-18 hours, covering a distance of roughly 1,000-1,200 miles depending upon the route taken.
What to see on the journey from Chicago to Yellowstone?
On the journey from Chicago to Yellowstone National Park, striking sights of Badlands National Park,, Mount Rushmore, and Fabulous Teton National Park.
How many days are required to enjoy Yellowstone National Park?
To experience Yellowstone National Park, plan on spending at least 3-5 days exploring its different landscapes, geothermal features, and rich wildlife.
What is the best route across Yellowstone National Park?
From Chicago, follow I-90 W through South Dakota, then join US-191 S in Bozeman to approach Yellowstone National Park by the West Entrance, which provides a scenic journey across Montana and an entry point near classic attractions such as Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring.
Is it preferable to stay inside Yellowstone or outside?
Staying inside Yellowstone provides early access to major attractions, while hotels outside offer more choice and maybe reduced pricing.
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