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July 2, 2010 9:38 AM

How can I plan a scenic drive from Iowa to Montana?

I'm driving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Sidney, MT to help my sister move, and then we'll be journeying back to CR. I'd like to have a lovely and/or interesting drive. On the way out, I'd like to have a minimum of stops, so lovely scenery would be great. On the way back, we're planning to stop some, so points of interest would be good.

posted by epj to Travel & Transportation around Iowa (7 answers total)

I would take 90 through South Dakota as far as you can as opposed to 94 up through North Dakota - this way you will be able to detour through Buffalo Gap, the Badlands, and the Black Hills - all of these are very pleasant drives. Maybe you can take 94 on the way back through Central MN, and stop in the Twin Cities on your way home.
posted by Think_Long at 9:50 AM on July 2, 2010 [3 favorites]

Well, for maximum awesome, avoid the interstates. This route takes you through the Nebraska Sandhills (the most beautiful drive I've ever taken, and which I've written about ad nauseam here), plus the Oglalla grasslands and the Black Hills, both of which are also awesome.
posted by dersins at 10:11 AM on July 2, 2010 [2 favorites]

I agree with taking 90 through South Dakota.
Besides the big famous places that Think_Long mentioned, there are lots of zany road-side attraction type stuff on 90 - like the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD, and Wall Drugs
posted by Flood at 10:12 AM on July 2, 2010

I've made this drive many times, many routes. Take 35 north through Iowa and then 90 through South Dakota -- lots of places to see a short ride from the Interstate. Pipestone Nat'l Monument in Minnesota (smallest Nat'l Monument of all. Worth the stop!) Badlands, Black Hills, even the Mitchell Corn Palace. Lots of neat stops. North from the Black Hills (with, perhaps, a side trip to Devil's Tower in Wyoming). Google all of the above for info. Have a great trip!
posted by rexknobus at 10:16 AM on July 2, 2010

A number of years ago my friend and I drove from Toronto to Vancouver Island, going along Hwy 90 for a lot of it. We saw the Badlands, the Mitchell Corn Palace, Wall Drugs, Mt Rushmore, all of it. (We even inadvertently hit the Sturgis bike rally, so that added an interesting note!) Montana took my breath away. There's pretty much only pretty scenery along Hwy 90.
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 10:54 AM on July 2, 2010

Forgot to add (in case I even need to) that we loved the trip. Hwy 90 is a wonderful route to take. You'll be glad you did!
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 11:04 AM on July 2, 2010

Response by poster: Thank you all very much! It sounds like Hwy 90 is a great bet!
posted by epj at 11:32 AM on July 2, 2010