Best EW interstate through the great plains

[rarnold]

I-94 was a nice drive, got to see a lot of varied topography and the stretch through the Badlands was nice. Stop off at the overlook in TR National Park. Worth a stop.
The only problem was that going westbound once you get to Montana, you are still 260 miles from Billings.

I-90 isn't bad. I remember going across SD in the early 90's during late summer nights. Cool if you can watch thunderstorms from a distance, no fun driving through them. Westbound is the better-looking direction as you see the Badlands and the Black Hills rising behind them.

I-70 in Kansas and I-80 in Nebraska are hell for people who like to drive. Nothing to see, no great places to stop. Avoid like the plague.

Haven't driven I-40 across the plains but would like to someday.

[NWI_Irish96]

I have driven all of them, though none of them in the last 20 years.  None struck me as being even remotely interesting.  I picked I-40 because the view is least like what I'm used to in the upper Midwest.  90 and 94 get interesting as you get close to Montana, but on the whole, if I had to do one again, I'd do 40.

[CtrlAltDel]

I have to admit that I like the wide open spaces of the plains, and I think they are perfect for people who like to drive. As I said in an earlier thread:

I like the mountains, but I also like the plains. The wide sky, the endless horizon, the ability to travel seemingly forever, the waves of grain, the infinite openness, all of that is something I find very powerful yet peaceful.

Some find it boring, but most certainly not me.

My favorite of those listed is I-70, although I think that's partially due to more or less random circumstances. The last time I was on I-70 across the plains, it was a perfect fall day, whereas, the last time I was on I-90, I drove through the mother of all thunderstorms, which was great while I was approaching it, but not so great when I actually hit it.

[deathtopumpkins]

Take US 36. It's quick across Missouri and half of Kansas, and nice hills out to Denver with few semis.

I'm actually planning on doing this for my next trip out west. Almost did it on the last one, but opted for 70 instead due to inclement weather.

[hbelkins]

Take US 36. It's quick across Missouri and half of Kansas, and nice hills out to Denver with few semis.

I'm actually planning on doing this for my next trip out west. Almost did it on the last one, but opted for 70 instead due to inclement weather.

I drove US 36 (the CKC) across Missouri eastbound several years ago. Four lanes, mostly free-flowing, and very little traffic. I only went far enough into Kansas to turn around so I could get a clinch of the route in Missouri, but I have to say it was an enjoyable drive across the Show-Me State.

[StogieGuy7]

I think I-80, mostly running along the Platte River, doesn't give a correct impression of Nebraska. One has to get out of the Interstate to see that Nebraska is not that flat and boring, and the further West one deviates, less distance to a landscape change is.

Thank you - I have maintained this for many years, much to the disbelief of others.  At some point, someone decided that I-80 should run along the Platte River valley.  Probably because that's where most of the larger towns/cities are located (thanks to the water source).  In doing so, the road also goes out of it's way (over hundreds of miles) to avoid anything scenic or interesting.  Go just a few miles north of I-80 along much of it's path in NE and you'll start to encounter the Sand Hills and some pretty interesting scenery.  Many areas actually have groves of pine trees nestled in sheltered locations.  And there are world class (links) golf courses located in the region, miles from any town.  But if you're heading along I-80, all you see are ugly/scrubby cottonwoods and flat dull scenery. 

I-80 manages a similar miracle through Wyoming, by the way: somehow managing to avoid nearly all Rocky Mountain scenery for a 403 mile cross-section of the state. For those who never traversed Wyoming on I-80 and who expect hours of Yellowstone/Teton-style wonderment, get ready for the disappointment of a lifetime! 

[GaryV]

Blame it on the Oregon and California Trails.  Those long-ago guides to travelers learned how to optimize their trips for more important things than scenery. 

[StogieGuy7]

Blame it on the Oregon and California Trails.  Those long-ago guides to travelers learned how to optimize their trips for more important things than scenery.

Sure, and I think I addressed that too - as the towns settled along the water source.  Despite understanding why, it's still true that I-80 tries hard to avoid passing anything scenic.  Unless you consider traveling through a low flat valley for hundreds of miles, bracketed by scruffy trees, to be scenic.  Because of this, people think Nebraska is an ugly and featureless state and that's not so.

[GaryV]

The water, plus South Pass being the most gradual gradient through the Rockies.

[CNGL-Leudimin]

I-94 was a nice drive, got to see a lot of varied topography and the stretch through the Badlands was nice. Stop off at the overlook in TR National Park. Worth a stop.
The only problem was that going westbound once you get to Montana, you are still 260 miles from Billings.

It was also surprised by I-94 as I cruised it on Street View (I'm doing a virtual road trip, I departed Chicago on April 23 and I expect to reach my final destination Seattle tomorrow, I'm currently in Spokane). And I agree with the problem, that 400+ km from the state line to Billings was a PITA. And even worse considering I'm hopping between Ronald McDonald Houses, in my route Bismarck-Billings was the longest gap between two. However I chose that route because there are even longer gaps further South (not to mention along I-80...).

Thank you - I have maintained this for many years, much to the disbelief of others.  At some point, someone decided that I-80 should run along the Platte River valley.  Probably because that's where most of the larger towns/cities are located (thanks to the water source).  In doing so, the road also goes out of it's way (over hundreds of miles) to avoid anything scenic or interesting.  Go just a few miles north of I-80 along much of it's path in NE and you'll start to encounter the Sand Hills and some pretty interesting scenery.  Many areas actually have groves of pine trees nestled in sheltered locations.  And there are world class (links) golf courses located in the region, miles from any town.  But if you're heading along I-80, all you see are ugly/scrubby cottonwoods and flat dull scenery. 

I-80 manages a similar miracle through Wyoming, by the way: somehow managing to avoid nearly all Rocky Mountain scenery for a 403 mile cross-section of the state. For those who never traversed Wyoming on I-80 and who expect hours of Yellowstone/Teton-style wonderment, get ready for the disappointment of a lifetime! 

You're welcome. If in the USA most people would prefer to fly over rather than drive through the Great Plains, here in Spain very few, if any, would go there. I'm pretty sure that even in the middle of nowhere, very well off the beaten path, there is much awaiting to be discovered. I'm curious about what Kansas, Nebraska, and especially (since it is the least visited state) North Dakota have to offer to the traveler. South Dakota at least has an obvious landmark, Mount Rushmore.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

Hell, US 30 is more interesting than I-80 despite only being a few miles away from it. And when you've had enough of it it's easy to flip back to 80 and shut your brain off.

[kphoger]

I think I-80, mostly running along the Platte River, doesn't give a correct impression of Nebraska. One has to get out of the Interstate to see that Nebraska is not that flat and boring, and the further West one deviates, less distance to a landscape change is.

Thank you - I have maintained this for many years, much to the disbelief of others.  At some point, someone decided that I-80 should run along the Platte River valley.  Probably because that's where most of the larger towns/cities are located (thanks to the water source).  In doing so, the road also goes out of it's way (over hundreds of miles) to avoid anything scenic or interesting.  Go just a few miles north of I-80 along much of it's path in NE and you'll start to encounter the Sand Hills and some pretty interesting scenery.  Many areas actually have groves of pine trees nestled in sheltered locations.  And there are world class (links) golf courses located in the region, miles from any town.  But if you're heading along I-80, all you see are ugly/scrubby cottonwoods and flat dull scenery. 

I-80 manages a similar miracle through Wyoming, by the way: somehow managing to avoid nearly all Rocky Mountain scenery for a 403 mile cross-section of the state. For those who never traversed Wyoming on I-80 and who expect hours of Yellowstone/Teton-style wonderment, get ready for the disappointment of a lifetime! 

Unless you consider traveling through a low flat valley for hundreds of miles, bracketed by scruffy trees, to be scenic.  Because of this, people think Nebraska is an ugly and featureless state and that's not so.

This goes for Kansas, too.  Travel north-south on a state route in either Kansas or Nebraska, and you'll get a completely different perspective on the state than if you took the Interstate across it east-west.

[webny99]

Unless you consider traveling through a low flat valley for hundreds of miles, bracketed by scruffy trees, to be scenic.  Because of this, people think Nebraska is an ugly and featureless state and that's not so.

This goes for Kansas, too.  Travel north-south on a state route in either Kansas or Nebraska, and you'll get a completely different perspective on the state than if you took the Interstate across it east-west.

I am open to changing my mind on this, but I think this is not true for the Dakotas. They're flat and boring regardless of direction. If anything, I-90 across South Dakota (which is winning the poll, BTW) is more interesting than I-29 across either state.

[oscar]

This goes for Kansas, too.  Travel north-south on a state route in either Kansas or Nebraska, and you'll get a completely different perspective on the state than if you took the Interstate across it east-west.

I am open to changing my mind on this, but I think this is not true for the Dakotas. They're flat and boring regardless of direction. If anything, I-90 across South Dakota (which is winning the poll, BTW) is more interesting than I-29 across either state.

Having traveled a lot in the Dakotas (my father was born and raised in the northeastern corner of South Dakota, and I still have relatives in both Dakotas), I completely agree, at least for the parts east of Bismarck for ND and of the Missouri River for SD.

[Hot Rod Hootenanny]

After 22 or so years in the roadgeek community, I will say I am thoroughly confused by those of you who say you are "roadgeeks" but find roads boring. What are you looking for "entertainment?" Or what do you consider fun? 

[Hot Rod Hootenanny]

I had no problem with I-80 in Nebraska. Sand hills out west, sunflowers, railroads, and the Platte River valley. And as mentioned previously in this thread, US 30/Lincoln Highway is nearby as well.

[kphoger]

After 22 or so years in the roadgeek community, I will say I am thoroughly confused by those of you who say you are "roadgeeks" but find roads boring. What are you looking for "entertainment?" Or what do you consider fun? 

1.  Not everyone on this forum calls him- or herself a "roadgeek".

2.  Some people find design more interesting, others construction, others signage, others historical routings, others numbering, others fictional plans, etc.  If you think about it, that stuff is really more "geeky" than just looking at scenery from the road.

[hbelkins]

This goes for Kansas, too.  Travel north-south on a state route in either Kansas or Nebraska, and you'll get a completely different perspective on the state than if you took the Interstate across it east-west.

And not all E-W routes are like that. After the Wichita meet (the one where I had car trouble on the way) I ended up clinching US 166. It was a very interesting drive and nothing at all like I remember my 1991 jaunt across I-70 being.

[kphoger]

This goes for Kansas, too.  Travel north-south on a state route in either Kansas or Nebraska, and you'll get a completely different perspective on the state than if you took the Interstate across it east-west.

And not all E-W routes are like that. After the Wichita meet (the one where I had car trouble on the way) I ended up clinching US 166. It was a very interesting drive and nothing at all like I remember my 1991 jaunt across I-70 being.

Oh, yeah, US-166 across eastern Kansas is surprisingly scenic.  The 55mph speed limit just gets old after a while...

[Konza]

Oh, yeah, US-166 across eastern Kansas is surprisingly scenic. 

Any route through the Flint Hills is a treat.

[ilpt4u]

After 22 or so years in the roadgeek community, I will say I am thoroughly confused by those of you who say you are "roadgeeks" but find roads boring. What are you looking for "entertainment?" Or what do you consider fun? 

Getting a bit off topic, but to go down that rabbit hole...

I can enjoy driving and travel and roads and still find certain roads or segments boring. I-80 across Nebraska fits that bill for me. I-57 in Illinois, the interstate closest to me, fits that bill also.

I have been getting to a point, that if time difference is under 1 hour, and time is not of the essence, I'd rather take non-interstate highways – travel on US and State Highways with at-grades and towns. Why? Going thru the small towns here and there adds variety to the trip, and the one four way stop in town? Adds a change of pace so the driving brain isn't on 75 MPH autopilot for forever. I do find the IL speed limit of 55 MPH on 2 lane rural highways ridiculously low, tho

I enjoy football and baseball also, but there are plenty of contests that are, in fact, boring

[StogieGuy7]

After 22 or so years in the roadgeek community, I will say I am thoroughly confused by those of you who say you are "roadgeeks" but find roads boring. What are you looking for "entertainment?" Or what do you consider fun? 

Getting a bit off topic, but to go down that rabbit hole...

I can enjoy driving and travel and roads and still find certain roads or segments boring. I-80 across Nebraska fits that bill for me. I-57 in Illinois, the interstate closest to me, fits that bill also.

I have been getting to a point, that if time difference is under 1 hour, and time is not of the essence, I'd rather take non-interstate highways – travel on US and State Highways with at-grades and towns. Why? Going thru the small towns here and there adds variety to the trip, and the one four way stop in town? Adds a change of pace so the driving brain isn't on 75 MPH autopilot for forever. I do find the IL speed limit of 55 MPH on 2 lane rural highways ridiculously low, tho

I enjoy football and baseball also, but there are plenty of contests that are, in fact, boring

Very well put.  Both interstates 55 and 57 through IL are interesting the first time that you drive them, but quickly become mind-numbingly boring after that first time.

I-80 headed west through Nebraska is different than this.  If you're driving cross-country, you get just past Omaha and the scenery opens up and you get a feeling of making progress heading west.  Then you hit the Platte River Valley and it "seems" like you're just running in place for like 3-4 hours.  Of course, in reality that's not so - it just feels that way. Once you get out of it (heading toward Ogalala), you do finally get to experience the high plains scenery that you may have looked forward to since Indiana.  Then again, you're probably also looking forward to seeing the Rockies by this point, perhaps not knowing that Wyoming is about to tease and disappoint you for the next several hours...   

[kphoger]

Very well put.  Both interstates 55 and 57 through IL are interesting the first time that you drive them, but quickly become mind-numbingly boring after that first time.

I'll take I-57 a million times over I-55.  And this is from someone whose job used to have him driving I-57 on a daily basis, usually about 30-40 miles of it but occasionally up to 100 miles of it.

[mvak36]

I didn't mind driving on 80 through Nebraska, although admittedly it can get boring at times. The drive from Omaha till North Platte doesn't seem as long to me. It's just that last stretch from there all the way to Wyoming that is kind of a slog, and so is most of Wyoming. Side note: the stretch from Lincoln to Omaha has changed a lot since I was a kid. It used to be mostly farmland once you got past the NE-50 exit. With Sarpy county growing, that drive doesn't seem as long as it used to. It prolly also helps to have 3 lanes each way and a 75 mph speed limit lol.

I liked 70 in Kansas till at least Hays. I found it boring from there till I got just outside Denver.

[kphoger]

I grew up in northwestern Kansas, and I have an appreciation for the landscape in that part of the country.  But even I can barely stand I-70 between Limon and Salina.  West of Limon, I quite enjoy the endless rolling grassland all around, with mountains gradually coming into view.