Ever thought about taking a road trip across the United States? For many, it’s a dream adventure. This once-in-a-lifetime trip consists of a drive along I-90 West and features historic towns, National Parks, horseback riding, top-rated dining, and more. Keep reading to find the best way to experience an I-90 West Road Trip to make sure to take advantage of every sight to see!
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Day 1: New York to Rock Cut, IL – I-90 West Road Trip
Quick Facts:
- Drive Time: 11 hr 30 min
- Leave From: New York
- Arrive at: Rock Cut State Park, IL
- Sleep at: Rock Cut State Park, IL ~$18
Start the journey by taking in the sights along I-90 West. This interstate is the longest interstate highway in the United States that spans over 3,000 miles!
The I-90 West Interstate connects the following states: Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Washington.
Starting the journey on our I-90 West Road Trip
Urban centers, rural landscapes, suburban towns, and rich farmlands are just some of the sights to see along this part of the trip.
There are many places to stop for gas along I-90 West, as well as places to eat.
Pro tip: Make sure to take frequent breaks when driving long stretches of road in one day. For this 11 hr 30 min drive, we chose to stop every 3-4 hours for bathroom, gas, and food breaks. It’s also a great idea to take games and music to stay entertained along the journey.
Setting up camp at Rock Cut State Park on our I-90 West Road Trip
After arriving in Illinois, head to Rock Cut State Park. Campsites are nestled along the water just off the highway and provide a convenient place to stay with gorgeous views of the surrounding area.
Day 2: Rock Cut, IL to Chamberlain, SD on I-90 West Road Trip
Quick Facts:
- Drive Time: 9 hours
- Leave From: Rock Cut State Park, IL
- Arrive to: Chamberlain, SD
- Sleep at: Bridge View Inn; Chamberlain, SD ~$80
Standing in front of the Dignity Statue in Chamberlain, South Dakota
The second day of the I-90 West Road Trip also involves lots of driving! The trip from Rock Cut to Chamberlain is around 9 hours. Make sure to load up on sandwiches, snacks, and drinks to be prepared for this drive.
Along the way, make sure to look out for the Mississippi River running perpendicular to I-90 West.
Another monument to see in Chamberlian is the Dignity Statue. It was created by Dale Lamphere and installed in 2016 to commemorate South Dakota’s 125th Anniversary of Statehood.
During our trip, we stayed at the Bridge View Inn during the 4th of July and were able to see a colorful display of fireworks along the Missouri River.
Enjoying the fireworks from the motel on the Missouri river.
Day 3: Chamberlain, SD to Kemps Camp & Mt. Rushmore
Quick Facts:
- Drive Time: 4 hours 28 minutes
- Leave From: Chamberlain, SD
- Arrive to: Keystone, SD
- Sleep at: Kemps Kamp for two nights; Keystone, SD ~$82
The first National Park in the I-90 West Road Trip is Badlands National Park! There are also a couple of spots along the way that are definitely worth the visit.
During the drive along I-90 West, look out for the Badlands National Park entrance along Highway 240 in Cactus Flats.
For a full itinerary to Badlands National Park that includes hiking and sightseeing, check out my guide here.
Driving along the scenic route in Badlands national Park on our I-90 West road trip
After taking a tour through Badlands, head up to the west entrance toward Wall, South Dakota. This town holds the famous Wall Drug. This roadside attraction evolved from a small pharmacy established in 1931 to a massive complex, offering a variety of goods for tourists and travelers.
During the stop at Wall Drug, make sure to try the famous homemade donuts and five-cent coffee. They don’t disappoint. There are also giant animal statues to get a picture taken on the store’s backside.
Finally arriving to Wall Drugstore!
Pro tip: If you plan to visit more national parks along the road trip, make sure to buy the Inter-agency pass at the gate of Badlands National Park. This $80 pass will allow Annual access to every national park in the United States which can end up saving hundreds of dollars!
For a place to stay, head to Kemp’s camp. This quiet, small campground is nestled in the Black Hills of South Dakota and provides tent and RV sites with water and electricity for a good price. The staff are very helpful and provide lots of knowledge on nearby attractions and entertainment.
In addition, we were also able to visit Mount Rushmore in the evening! It is located just 10 minutes from the campsite. If you don’t have time, you can always visit the next day.
Seeing the famous mount, Rushmore was a spectacular sight!
Day 4: 7/6 – Jewel Cave, Wind Cave, Custer State Park
Quick Facts:
- Drive Time: N/A
- Leave From: N/A
- Arrive to: N/A
- Sleep at: Kemps Kamp for two nights; Keystone, SD ~$82
Next, explore more of South Dakota beauty by heading to Wind Cave National Park and Jewel Cave National Monument. Start the morning by booking a Cave tour in Jewel Cave hosted by Park Ranger. The cave features miles of underground passages with various shiny minerals and rocks jetting up from below. The coolest part of the tour is when the park ranger turns off the lights to show how dark the cave really is. Spooky!
Admiring the shiny minerals in Jewel Cave National Monument
After the tour, head to Wind Cave National Park to spot some Prairie dogs. These cute animals can be seen peeking from their holes dug into the grassland right next to the road. Bison can also be seen if luck is on your side.
Spotting the prairie dog along the road on our 90-West Road Trip
Custer State Park is located just minutes from Wind Cave National Park and features more grassland for opportunities to see bison. During our trip, this is where we first spotted bison.
Spotting our first heard of bison in Custer State Park
After, head back to camp for a relaxing evening after touring the Black Hills.
Finally, for dining and shopping, head to downtown Keystone for handmade souvenirs and various restaurants.
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Day 5: Mt. Rushmore to Yellowstone on I-90 West Road Trip
Quick Facts:
- Drive Time: 10 hours 21 minutes
- Leave From: Keystone, SD
- Arrive at: Yellowstone National Park, WY
- Sleep at: Lewis Lake Campground Yellowstone ~$40/night
Off to the next national park! Day five on the I-90 West Road Trip is a driving day and features around 10 1/2 hours on the road from Keystone to Yellowstone National Park. The stretch of road features beautiful turquoise lakes with jagged mountains right along the highway.
Making a pitstop along a gorgeous reservoir in Wyoming, I-90 West Road Trip
Yellowstone National Park features many different camping spots And historic hotels to stay at.
Pro tip: There are two different reservation systems to book campsites at Yellowstone National Park. Recreation.gov holds Access To the bottom half of campsites while Yellowstone National Park lodges hold access to campsites in the top half of Yellowstone National Park.
Setting up camp and cooking dinner at Lewis Lake Campground
During our I-90 West road trip, we chose to stay at Lewis Lake. This campsite is located at the southern end of Yellowstone. It is a basic campsite that provides electricity and water. For showering, you can head to the nearest lodge.
Wherever you choose to stay, use the day to get situated and prepare for a big adventure day at Yellowstone on day six of the I-90 West Road Trip.
Day 6: Yellowstone – Park Tour with Hayden Valley – I-90 West Road Trip
Quick Facts:
- Drive Time: N/A
- Leave From: N/A
- Arrive to: N/A
- Sleep at: Lewis Lake Campground Yellowstone ~$40/night
Yellowstone is filled With a plethora of activities. There are Hot Springs, geysers, wildlife, and hiking just to name a few.
Starting the day up close with a bison in Yellowstone
For a full Itinerary to Yellowstone, check out my guide on how to spend one day at Yellowstone National Park
Day 7: Hiking in Yellowstone – I-90 West Road Trip
Quick Facts:
- Drive Time: N/A
- Leave From: N/A
- Arrive to: N/A
- Sleep at: Lewis Lake Campground Yellowstone ~$40/night
Enjoying the views along the geyser Trail in Yellowstone National Park. I-90 West Road trip.
Use the second full day at Yellowstone to catch up on any sites you might have missed the day before.
Also, it is a good idea to fuel up on gas, food, snacks, and drinks. For a chill day, had to old faithful in to relax, grab a coffee, and watch the geyser erupt!
The coolest hot spring in Yellowstone, the morning glory pool!
Day 8: Yellowstone to Jackson, WY Grand Teton, I-90 West Road Trip
Quick Facts:
- Drive Time: 1.5 hours
- Leave From: Yellowstone National Park, WY
- Arrive at: Grand Teton National Park, WY
- Sleep at: Gros Ventre Campground ~60/night
After fueling up, it is time to make the short drive to Grand Teton National Park. Along the way, stop at Swift Creek Outfitters for a horseback ride tour through the countryside of Wyoming.
The tour provides an exhilarating ride up the Mountains and leads to beautiful views of the Tetons. To book a Guided Horseback tour from Swift Creek Outfitters, click here.
Posing for a picture among the Grand Teton Mountain Range!
Once the ride is finished, head to Schwabacher Landing for lunch with Views of the Snake River and the Teton Mountains. It is also a great stop for a photo opportunity!
View of the grand Teton Mountains on I-90 West Road trip
For a campsite, the Gros Ventre campground provides easy access to Jackson, Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park, and other spots like Mormon Row.
For dinner, head into town. Downtown Jackson provides lots of restaurant opportunities like Asian, Indian, Mexican, and Italian cuisine. Try Teton Tiger’s Butter Chicken.
Day 9: Grand Teton – Jenny Lake and Teton County Fair
Quick Facts:
- Drive Time: N/A
- Leave From: N/A
- Arrive to: N/A
- Sleep at: Gros Ventre Campground ~60/night
A trip to Grand Teton isn’t complete without checking out Jenny Lake. It is located right at the base of the mountains and provides an opportunity to see the peaks up close. Wildlife is often seen near the lake as well!
Grab breakfast at Dornan’s chuckwagon for a quick bite before the Jenny Lake hike!
Taking in the views of Jenny Lake
Once at Jenny Lake, there are two main options for exploring the area. The hike around the lake encompasses around 12 miles and is a great way to admire the natural beauty of the Tetons.
The Jenny Lake Boat tour provides a guided trip around the water with a tour guide that explains the history and significance of the mountains and the surrounding area.
After Jenny Lake, head to the Teton Fairgrounds to catch the County Fair! It is available on Wednesdays and Fridays during summer months and features bull riding, round-ups, and kids activities.
One of my favorite parts of the show was watching all the little kids chase the sheep! It was definitely the cutest part of the show!
Day 10: Grand Teton to Rye Patch, NV, I-90 West Road Trip
Quick Facts:
- Drive Time: 10 hours 30 minutes
- Leave From: Grand Teton National Park, WY
- Arrive at: Rye Patch, NV
- Sleep at: Rye Patch State Campground for one night; Lovelock, NV ~$15
Before getting on the road, head to Cowboy Coffee Co. in Jackson, WY for a delicious cup of fresh-roasted coffee and a breakfast burrito. Then, fuel up on gas and continue on I-90 West toward Nevada.
Day 10 on the I-90 West Road Trip is a long driving day. For a great car game, try to keep track of as many different license plate states as you can. We spotted all 50 during our trip!
Rye Patch State Park is a convenient place to stay just off of I-90. The park offers cheap campsites that are quiet and secluded while being a quick detour from the highway.
There is also a reservoir to swim in if it gets too hot!
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Day 11: Rye Patch, NV to Mono Lake, I-90 West Road Trip
Quick Facts:
- Drive Time: 3 hours 30 minutes to Yosemite
- Leave From: Rye Patch, NV
- Arrive to: Mono Lake, CA
- Sleep at: Mono Vista RV Park ~50/night
Spotting Tufas at Mono Lake State Park
Plan for a short day of driving on day 11 after a long stretch of road from the previous day.
Mono Lake was a hidden gem that ended up being one of our favorite parts of our trip and was slightly unplanned!
The town of Mono Lake sits on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range and holds a population of around 250. There is a quaint coffee shop, Latte Da Coffee Cafe, located just next to the Mono Lake visitor center.
Stop here to grab guides and maps to explore and learn about the town and surrounding area. Make sure to check out the Tufa’s down near the shore of Mono Lake!
Gianna poses for a picture along the boardwalk at Mono Lake State Park on our I-90 West Road trip
For dinner, head to the Lee Vining Mobile gas station for their famous fish tacos. Don’t ask any questions, just try them! We can confirm that they are very tasty!
Stop at the Mono Vista RV park for a place to rest before heading into Yosemite the next morning!
Day 12: Mono Lake into Yosemite Yosemite, CA – I-90 West Road Trip
Quick Facts:
- Drive Time: 45 min + 1 hr
- Leave From: Mono Lake, CA
- Arrive at: Yosemite National Park, CA
- Sleep at: High Sierra RV Park, Oakhurst CA
Yosemite National Park holds enough glory to speak for itself. It holds tons of beautiful hikes, waterfalls, and landscapes.
The tunnel lookout along the scenic road in Yosemite national Park
Pro Tip: During the busy summer months, Yosemite can only be accessed by reservation. Make sure to book entrance tickets to the park at least 2 weeks in advance. Entrance to the park is only possible without an entrance ticket by arriving before 5 am.
From Mono Lake, head up Tioga Road to the park’s eastern entrance. Keep in mind that this entrance is only open around the summer months.
From here, take the road to Yosemite Village to grab food, maps, and souvenirs. Speak to a park ranger for specific activities hosted within the park!
El Capitan Cliff face in Yosemite national Park
After spending most of the day in the park, head out of the western entrance toward Oakhurst, CA to stay at High Sierra RV Park.
Day 13: Yosemite, CA to Kings Canyon / Sequoia NP – I-90 West Road Trip
Quick Facts:
- Drive Time: 3hr 30min
- Leave From: Oakhurst, CA
- Arrive at: Sequoia National Park
- Sleep at: Holiday Inn Express Bakersfield, CA
Located just south of Yosemite are Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park, known for their gigantic trees! Stop at the General Grant tree in Kings Canyon to see the second largest tree in the world, nicknamed the “Nation’s Christmas Tree”! The Kings Canyon scenic road features twists and turns for panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains!
Posing for a photo at the General Sherman tree!
For Sequoia National Park, head to the General Sherman tree, the largest tree (by volume) in the world.
There are also cool gifts, patches, stickers, and souvenirs located at the visitor centers at each of the parks.
After visiting the two National Parks, head to Bakersfield, CA to spend the night.
Day 14: Bakersfield, CA to Oceanside, CA – I-90 West Road Trip
Quick Facts:
- Drive Time: 3hr 30min
- Leave From: Bakersfield, CA
- Arrive at: Oceanside, CA
- Sleep at: Hotel of choice
At this point, we headed down to Oceanside, CA to stay with family. This was the end of the I-90 West Road Trip where we took time to reflect on the amazing experiences we had!
The I-90 West Road Trip provided the opportunity to visit some of the Nation’s most popular landmarks such as Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Yosemite National Park. Witnessing the change of scenery along the way was an opportunity to see how the land of the United States shifts and changes depending on the region.
My goal for this guide was to provide insight into an amazing trip that left so many memories of breathtaking spots across the country. For those planning on taking a road trip, this guide provides succinct information to make a successful journey along I-90 if you choose to replicate this trip!
Views like this make the I-90 West Road trip once in a lifetime experience!
Feel free to leave a comment in case something was left out, or if there are any questions regarding our I-90 West Road Trip.
Check out these National Park guides for more information on each stop of the journey!