to each other and sharing tips and advice. If you want to eat special meals at nice restaurants on your Chicago to Yellowstone National Park road trip; we can recommend Pullman Bar Dinner, Iowa City, Plank Seafood Provisions, Omaha, Los Jalapenos, Lexington, Anongs Thai Cuisine, Rawlins, Cowboy Cafe, Dubois restaurants to you. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. With another nine hours planned in the car today, youll want to leave early enough to enjoy a mid-trip excursion in Casper. 7:32 pm arrive at Yellowstone National Park. The "first national park" was born 151 years ago, on March 1, 1872, when President Ulysses S. Grant signed into law the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act. From baseball to bluegrass, road trips to wildlife, there are endless fantastic experiences to have across the US. If dining is a pleasure, some restaurants will please you on your Chicago to Yellowstone National Park road trip. Planning tip: Be sure to bring your binoculars, spotting scope, andlong camera lenses. This museum will let you get one of the most famous movie stars of all time on a very personal level with lots of mementos and interesting displays. Mountain goat at Mount Rushmore Photo: Chad Coppess. Then drive to South Dakotas Badlands National Park. Catholic Easter Vigil Mass with good music in Madison? The train from Chicago to Salt Lake Station departs once a day. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. Find More Than the Worlds Largest Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis Catholic Easter Vigil Mass with good music in Madison? : Since youll be dining at the Old Faithful Geyser Grill, why not also stay at the. or Sydney, and get inspired for your dream trip around the world. Here are some of the highlights near Grand Junction. Our route is not the most direct, but it covers some truly memorable stops. This will allow you to experience both, With a long road trip ahead, make sure youve got the, protection you need. Pack in as much fun in Sioux Falls as you can before getting back in the car for a five-hour trek to Keystone, a scenic. It's okay, you can start planning your , you can surround yourself with over 800 free-flying butterflies from all around the world. Chicago to Yellowstone National Park road trip planner Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Chicago to Yellowstone National Park. Get a free Yellowstone trip planner with inspiring itineraries and essential information. In this article, we share the 16 top tips that turn your Yellowstone National Park trip into an unforgettable journey. And Yellowstone is one of the most bucket list road trip destinations. In September and October 2021, I did a road trip from Chicago to Grand Teton National Park, and beyond. you can get answers personalized for your tastes, budgets, Where is there a good Japanese restaurant? Old Faithful may be more famous, but the Grand Prismatic Hot Spring is the most photographed thermal feature in Yellowstone. You're now going to spend over a third of your journey on one road, as we take the I-90 west, some 556 miles across the Great Plains, to the town of Buffalo, Wyoming, at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains. An hours drive south of Rapid City in Hot Springs youll find the Mammoth Site which is a museum as well an active dig site. Where is the 2019 Honda Civic OBD port location? Hit the best of the South Dakota parks with these top spots including national parks, steam trains, wild bison and a legendary store. Tall tales, trip guides, & the world's weird & wonderful. Rapid City Guide drive for about 5.5 hours. There is a distance of 1,338 miles between Chicago and Yellowstone National Park. stay overnight and leave the next day around 10:00 am, 10:00 am leave from Blue Earth The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving One of the most breathtaking routes to Yellowstone is the 68-mile stretch of the Beartooth Highway named a National Scenic Byways All-American Road.. Upon landing, you'll meet your tour guide for a memorable visit to Yellowstone. eat at The Old Fashioned We decided to avoid the interstate highways as much as possible. You can still make the drive from Chicago and stay just outside the National Park, taking snowmobiles, skis or other means of getting about, but you won't be able to appreciate Yellowstone in all its glory. Winterset is a small town just outside Des Moines and is known as the birthplace of the one and only John Wayne. The probable fare is $210 for a person. Traveling with a dog or cat? stay for about 1 hour and leave at 4:59 pmdrive for about 2.5 hours, 7:36 pm arrive in Chicagoeat at Lou Malnati's Pizzeria Heres our guide to getting the most of out of these American treasures. Read more. Start by driving south from Yellowstone to Park City, Utah. And if you know Chicago well, please help your fellow Don't worry about the scenery though, as these aren't the busy, built up interstates you would see in the city, just long open roads, winding through the countryside. Therefore, we kindly ask you to share your experience with us in the comment field at the end of the blog post. In Wyoming, Sundance and Gillette offer easy access to Devils Tower National Monument while farther west, Thermopolis has hot springs and bison. If you fly into Chicago the rest of your time would be driving to/from. A couple excellent stops that are part of the program include Wooden Wheel Vineyards in Keota, Iowa, Windcrest Winery in Raymond, Nebraska, and Macs Creek Brewery in Lexington, Nebraska. One thing to note: the drive time listed here is for standard cars. Lots to see and do in the area around Rapid City and the Black Hills : There is of course the iconic Mount Rushmore but also the Jewel Cave, Wind Caves, Deadwood City, Crazy Horse , Custer State Park and driving the Needles and the Iron Mountain Roads. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. What is your favorite restaurant in Madison? The best time to make the road trip from Chicago to Yellowstone is from May to September. Read more. stay overnight and leave the next day around 10:00 am, 10:00 am leave from Mt Rushmore But you can certainly do it in half the time if youre looking for a fast paced road trip. , where you can cozy up next to a large fireplace on the rooftop patio. Experience Yellowstone National Park like never before on this remarkable journey from Salt Lake City. In the heart of the Black Hills but away from the commercialization and traffic, Sundance, Wyo., offers a deep dive into the Old West and is the closest town to Devils Tower. Best route for Yellowstone's scenic wondersStart and end at Yellowstone's North Entrance; 80 miles; allow 12 days. Holiday Inn Buffalo Bill Village Resort in Cody Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps, ready for you to hit the road! Montanas Charming Town of Red Lodge With close proximity to many local attractions, spacious rooms, and breathtaking views, K Bar S Lodge promises a memorable overnight stay. Here are some of the highlights while youre in Granby: From Colorado, youll make your way in to Wyoming. Family-friendly campsites near Madison for large groups. Jerry automatically shops for your insurance before every renewal. Hopefully I'll be able to help you out with that though, as the following is a list on the best things to see along your journey, so you can tick them off as you go and keep track of what you've done. Start at the park's North Entrance, just outside Gardiner, Montana, and explore the Mammoth Hot Springs area, including the famous terraces. Top driving route to see Yellowstone's wildlifeStart at Yellowstone's East entrance; end at the Northeast Entrance;91 miles; allow 12 days. Southern Appalachian mountain culture, abundant flora and fauna, waterfalls and log bridges beckon you to explore. Lodges of East Yellowstone Hidden History I received a quote for half of what I was paying and was able to add roadside assistance at the same time. One day trip, looking for a good time under $100. Rushmore, Devil's Tower and maybe a few more attractions along the way. Editors' Picks. day 3 driving 8.5 hours. No phone calls. : Experience the "Condimental Divide" at the, , where mustard lovers leave ketchup loyalists behind to peruse over 6,000 types of mustard. What should we add to the visit? There are many route options, and were going to give you a detailed plan for our favorite. Blue Earth drive for about 2.5 hours, 12:40 pm La Crosse (Wisconsin) Or get a full Yellowstone National Park to Chicago flight plan. The very best things to do with kids in Yellowstone National Park, from getting a Junior Ranger badge to biking out to a backcountry geyser. Get the reverse directions for a 3, 4 & 5 - The Black Hills - I'd suggest either Custer, Hill City or Keystone (in that order of preference) as a base, but there are some other options. , where a rotating collection of sculptures line the walkways to downtown restaurants and stores. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 4:19 pmdrive for about 3.5 hours, 7:49 pm Mt Rushmore 6 Ways to Experience the Old West You can find detailed information about these hotels in the 5 Best Restaurants On The Way To Yellowstone National Park From Chicago section. Should I rent an RV to save money on a road trip? What is your favorite restaurant in Madison? drive for about 3.5 hours, 12:29 pm Buffalo (Wyoming) Make sure you check road conditions Odd roadside attractions for your summer road trip. Then take the northern route on your return route via Theodore Roosevelt National Park. If you're planning a road trip to Yellowstone National Park, you can research locations to stop along the way. We had a fantastic buffalo steak! (However we are open to suggestions). Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Chicago to Yellowstone National Park. This article was first published March 2013 and updated February 2023. Seventy years after the first blast, you can watch crews drilling, carving and removing rock at the memorial still under construction. who wants the trip to end? Considering this is going to be a journey full of beautiful historic locations, why not stay in a hotel brimming with history and charm at the Historical Oscar Lofquist House. Mt Rushmore (46 answers) These are some of the highlights for your Dubois stop: Related: How to Plan a Cross Country Road Trip on a Budget. Complimentary deluxe continental breakfast. Camping along the way? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-74148786', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car and wish to head over to Yellowstone NP. Chicago to Yellowstone National Park drive, distance from Yellowstone National Park to Chicago, Yellowstone National Park to Chicago flight plan. questions about Sioux Falls: Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. , after which the city is named. Its the largest body of water in the state, with more miles of coastline than all of California. by calculating the distance from Chicago to Yellowstone National Park. If you're planning a road trip to Yellowstone National Park, you can research locations to stop along the way. My partner and I are in Chicago for a short break until the 28th May. 10:00 am start in Chicagodrive for about 2.5 hours, 12:33 pm Madison (Wisconsin) Best campground for big rigs Yellowstone National Park's main roads create a "figure-eight" shape, so driving around the exterior of both loops to make a "Grand Loop" is a great way to hit many of the park's highlights. Head north over Dunraven Pass, keeping an eye out for animals by Mt Washburn, before heading east at Tower-Roosevelt into the Lamar Valley, which is one of the best places in the park to spot gray wolves and herds ofbison. Most people want 3 to 4 days in Yellowstone and 2 days in Tetons. With water reaching temperatures of 204 degrees Fahrenheit and steam above 350 degrees Fahrenheit, this natural wonder is enjoyed from a safe distance at the geyser-viewing area. and things like that - I'll take a generic stab: 1 - Sioux City (or Sioux Falls if you want to push it) - As Peach says, make sure to hit the Corn Palace in Mitchell SD on your way west. : Ready to let loose after a long day in the car? Go Big in Southeast Montana Of course, you can choose a suitable restaurant from the list according to your preference. Drivers who use Jerrys AI-based insurance broker app save an average of $879 a year! An absolute must is visiting the museum dedicated to his life located in the house where he was born. As South Dakotas only public saltwater aquarium, this destination offers opportunities to pet stingrays and sharks, view coral reefs, and touch unique invertebrates in the, : You cant pass through Sioux Falls without exploring. Click on any question to see answers from the community! Along the way to Yellowstone, weve included fun attractions, great places to eat and other national park sites that offer different experiences than Yellowstone. , a Travelers Choice-award-winning pizzeria with indoor and outdoor seating. So what are you waiting for? However you visit, brush up onbear safety and read thepark's safety advice on wildlife, environmental hazards, hydrothermal features, and other things to keep in mind. About Old Faithful, Yellowstone's Famous Geyser. This three-day road trip from Chicago to Yellowstone National Park takes you to the best museums, nature centers, and attractions of the American West. July 8, 2022 Tori Peglar Start in Chicago on this incredible road trip through some of the nation's most stunning prairies, wide-open skies and gorgeous rock formations on your way from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone. And the best partJerry is completely free to use. Considering we'll be making multiple stops along the way, what's an extra 50 miles if it gives you the chance to have a number of incredible experiences you'd otherwise miss out on. Save 15% off a membership with our referral code. The 1,338 miles of road trip from Chicago to Yellowstone National Park takes around 19 hours and 58 mins of driving without stops. Buffalo (Wyoming) (3 answers) ($$): Eat lunch at one of Madisons "Streateries," where outdoor dining meets urban sightseeing. 3:25 pm Sioux Falls. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 1:40 pmdrive for about 2.5 hours, 3:59 pm Madison (Wisconsin) Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. Only north entrance in Yellowstone is open now. Milwaukee is the most popular city on the route it's 2 hours from Chicago and 21 hours from Yellowstone National Park. Sadly, for me, bohemianparrot head has covered almost everything I was going to suggest. These 83 historic cabins maintain the exterior historic cowboy hand hewn log; the interior is a complete, full service non-smoking hotel room. Here are some more restaurants people talk about: Want to research more popular restaurants in Chicago? stay for about 1 hour and leave at 4:52 pmdrive for about 2.5 hours, 7:32 pm Blue Earth Here are a few popular options: Colorado Springs to Chicago is 1,029 miles and 15 and a half hours drive time. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Two or three days is reasonable, but the park can keep an avid explorer busy for far longer. Its the perfect base for your Rocky Mountain National Park stay. Blue Earth What are safety concerns and precautions when experiencing nature in North America? The final 220 miles of our journey will see us get off the interstate and take some smaller country roads. Look at staying at Cody Cowboy Village - yee hawr (actually pretty nice). Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. Here are some of the highlights: After a stop in Park City, head southeast to Grand Junction (and a return to Colorado). We recommend setting aside a month to cover the ground in our Chicago to Yellowstone itinerary. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. ), Yellowstone is famous for its sublime canyons, geysers, hot springs, forests, and alpine rivers. Read more. See silver spoons that traveled on the Mayflower in 1620 and antique saddles at the Tri-State Museum. L'Etoile The standard itinerary would be to do 4 days in Yellowstone and 2 days in grand Teton. This is a trip that's all about experiencing the great outdoors. On way to Black Hills of SD stop for Corn palace. One day trip, looking for a good time under $100 next trip! Our first stop lies some 333 miles to the west of Chicago, in the state of Iowa. Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Yellowstone National Park to Chicago. If you are crazy enough and plan to walk the Chicago-Yellowstone National Park route, then you will have to walk for 17 days and 16 hours. Located a few miles to the west of the city, on the edge of the Black Hills National Forest, this beautiful house features stunning views of nature with wildlife all around. 2 Days in the Badlands and Black Hills Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. Best drive for geysers, wildlife, and moreStart and end in Jackson, Cody, or West Yellowstone;96 miles; allow 12 days. For example, here are some questions people have asked about Yellowstone National Park. Make sure you check road conditions Planning a road trip- lodging in the national parks, Thinking of a long, family road trip in the west? Learn about the legend and the world and culture Buffalo Bill loved. Notable stops include St. Louis, Kansas City, Lincoln, Lake Manawa State Park, The Gateway Arch, and Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs. : When visiting Yellowstone, its a must to dine at the. After exploring Yellowstone, head to Red Lodge, Billings, Lewistown, Miles City and other towns. There is a distance of 1,338 miles between Chicago and Yellowstone National Park. The challenge is spotting them where the animals are and whether or not you see them depends on seasons, weather, food availability, and luck. From Chicago head west, stopping at the Akta Lakota Museum to discover northern Plains Indian history. Remember, people who are planning a Yellowstone National Park road trip, like you, need your opinion. While I'll go through a full rundown of everything to see on the way further down, let's first take a look at the absolute best places to stop for the night and make the most from the long drive. On the way from Chicago to Yellowstone National Park, you may want to stay at some points on the way. With emergency assistance, vehicle towing, and more, you wont have to worry about any unexpected hiccups along your journey. is an adventure park with numerous attractions, including a zipline, alpine slide, aerial adventure park, tubing hill, scenic chairlift, and more. What should I pack for a road trip in the USA.? Buffalo Bill [Cabin] Village at Buffalo Bill Village Resort in Cody Saw the title of this thread and thought that as we drove your itinerary I could make lots of useful comments. Elephant Head Lodge As you can imagine, the length of the road trip from Chicago to Yellowstone means you will need to break it up with a few stops. Find pet-friendly stops. Where is there a good Japanese restaurant? Traveling with a dog or cat? Gillettes Top Six Feels like 25.11 Wind speed 12.7 mph Pressure 1022 hPa. Here's the quick answer if you have friends taking shifts as driver so that you can make the entire trip by car without stopping. I know it doesnt really matter to me personally, but I hate clutter! From big game hunting to fishing, camping, biking, hiking and skiing, take advantage of the outdoor recreation opportunities in the beautiful Judith Basin. 2 - Interior SD - You'll be well positioned to see the sunrise in Badlands and do a little touring around there. drive for about 3 hours. If you're planning a road trip to Chicago, you can research locations to stop along the way. In this part, we explained five different hotels you can stay at on the road trip from Chicago to Yellowstone National Park. Dont leave home without ensuring you have the protection you need for your car or rental vehicle. May weather can be iffy with possibly snow and road closures so being flexible is important. Tour all around Custer NP and drive the Needles Scenic Byway. Read our Privacy Policy. Stay hungry and enjoy! Its the most direct route to the Black Hills, Badlands National Park and Mt.