I’m a 25 year old male. I am planning a road trip from Minnesota – North Dakota – Mt. Rushmore – Omaha – Des Moines – Minnesota for May long weekend. I am planning for a 3-4 day trip. As of now, it is solo. Not sure if anyone is accompanying. I enjoy scenic drives and nature.
I would prefer US routes with small towns on the way instead of inter states. Also I’m a budget traveler. I’m set to visit 50 states and will be visiting 5 of them during this trip :). I’m done with 27 of them already.
From Google Maps, all I find is interstate routes which I don’t think may be interesting. However, in this part of the country, I’m guessing its safe to travel on interstates than US routes – any suggestions ?
Initially I planned to travel in https://goo.gl/maps/umXtUus9m132, but I wanted to visit Badlands National Park and Mt. Rushmore. So I modified it to https://goo.gl/maps/KGJzwdWPcZ42.
I’m planning on visiting following in each place
Minneapolis
Few places in the city like Art museum etc.
North Dakota
Fargo, ND – nothing much really. Just driving through.
Theodre Roosevelt National Park (Optional)
South Dakota
Badlands National Park
Mt. Rushmore
Omaha
Few places in Omaha city like Zoo.
Iowa
Des Moines – nothing much, just drive through. Visit state capitol.
That trips across Dakota’s for 7hr each way back and forth feel like such a waste of time to cover both of the national parks. Am I mixing two different trips ? Are those drives worth it ? My friends told those area so boring to drive. Another idea is to cover only Minnesota, Des Moines and Omaha in this trip. And visit ND and SD when visiting Montana.
I’m in for taking detours to covering scenic drives. Please suggest.
The Great American RoadTrip Forum – Planning Summer RoadTrips