Travel from an iconic Midwestern city filled with skyscrapers through farmland before ending up in the mountains of the American West on this Chicago to Yellowstone National Park road trip.
The Chicago to Yellowstone National Park road trip allows you to explore some amazing shopping destinations, visit a world-famous national monument and take part in some outdoor adventures of the American West. On the way, you will see all manner of breathtaking scenery as you move from the wide-open plains of the Midwest into the sprawling and impressive Rocky Mountains. At your final stop, you will get to see the many wonders of Yellowstone National Park.
Stops
1. Chicago
2. Mall of America
3. Mount Rushmore
4. Cheyenne, WY
5. Jackson, WY
6. Yellowstone National Park
Info at a glance
- 10-day trip
- Type of route: Nature
- 6 stops along the route
- 1,749 miles of driving
Highlights
- Explore the iconic Navy Pier on Lake Michigan in Chicago.
- Stop in at one of the largest shopping malls in the world.
- Marvel at a wholly unique American destination.
- Step back in time and experience the days of the old American West.
- Experience the beauty of Yellowstone National Park.
Getting to the start
This Chicago to Yellowstone National Park road trip will begin in Chicago, Illinois. If you are coming to Chicago from another part of the US or world, there are plenty of ways to get there by plane, flying into either Chicago O’ Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway (MDW). Several Amtrak routes can get you from practically any point in the United States to Chicago, including the California Zephyr, the Capitol Limited, and the Empire Builder.
When to Visit
Spring and autumn are the best times to make the Chicago to Yellowstone National Park road trip so you can avoid the heat of summer in cities like Chicago and Minneapolis but also avoid cold weather in the Rocky Mountains during the winter months. Even still, it is best to pack an assortment of clothing, including a rain jacket and pants, but also items like shorts, hiking boots and T-shirts to handle all the different kinds of weather you may experience during this road trip.
Driving tips
With so much of this Chicago to Yellowstone National Park road trip spent on rural interstate highways, you will generally find speed limits ranging from 70 to 80 miles per hour. These will get lower as you approach towns and major cities. It is important to note that you will experience toll roads in and around Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Some of your drive is going to be on winding mountain roads so be mindful of that as you drive.
What to know about the route
You will begin this 1,751-mile Chicago to Yellowstone National Park road trip by heading northwest through Illinois and Wisconsin to the city of Minneapolis St. Paul. Along this route, you will see plenty of farms and green pastures rolling by your window, From there, you will travel across the wide-open plains of Minnesota and South Dakota, which offer views that seem almost endless. As you make a turn to the south into Wyoming, you will start to see the outlines of the impressive and rugged terrain of the east sides of the Rocky Mountains and the valleys that lie below. Finally, you will reach the end of your journey into the mountains at Jackson Hole and Yellowstone, which mark the final two stops on your journey. An SUV or all-wheel-drive vehicle will be perfect for this trip, especially in the winter months.
Chicago
As one of the largest cities in the United States, you will find plenty to see and do here. Located right on Lake Michigan, the city offers plenty of water activities as well. The skyline of the downtown area is world-renowned for the cutting-edge architecture you will find here. Chicago boasts a robust public transportation system that makes it easy to visit plenty of sites in the Chicago area.
Points of interest
Navy Pier is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. If you are an art lover, you’ll want to make the trip to The Art Institute of Chicago. For baseball fans, no trip to Chicago would be complete without visiting Wrigley Field. If there are some kids along on the trip, spend an afternoon at the Lincoln Park Zoo, which you can enjoy free of charge.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
Chicago has a few signature foods that are a must-try for any visitor. These include deep-dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches and specialty popcorn. If you want to try some classic Chicago pizza, head to Lou Malnati’s. They have locations throughout Chicago, including three in the downtown area.
Sixt Insider Tip
There are some local terms that are important to remember when visiting Chicago. When people refer to “The Loop,” they are talking about the central business district of downtown Chicago. If someone suggests that you travel by “The L,” they are referring to the city’s (mostly) elevated subway system.
From Chicago to the Mall of America (412 miles)
From here, we are off to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the Mall of America. This trip will take you west on Interstate 90 all the way from Chicago to Minneapolis. Along the way, you’ll be driving through towns, such as Rockford, Illinois as well as Madison and Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Upon reaching Minneapolis, you will cross the iconic Mississippi River.
Mall of America
The Mall of America is in an enormous shopping mall located in Bloomington, Minnesota, just south of Minneapolis. It sits right at the junction of Interstate 494 and Highway 77, which makes accessing the mall quite easy from practically any location. This mall is the seventh-largest in the world and is the largest in the western hemisphere.
Points of interest
By far one of the best-known features of the Mall of America is Nickelodeon Universe. This amusement park has 27 different rides, ranging from roller coasters to rides for younger children. A unique feature of the mall is that it has not one, but two miniature golf courses for you to try out during your visit.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
One of the best things about the Mall of America is the wide variety of food choices. You’ll find everything from basic fast-food choices to upscale sit-down restaurants. You can find any type of cuisine in the mall, with something to suit the tastes of every traveler.
Sixt Insider Tip
One thing that you will not want to miss in the Mall of America is a simulator ride called Flying over America. Take a virtual flight across the entire country through several different states and see all sorts of unique sights throughout the United States.
From the Mall of America to Mt. Rushmore (590 miles)
Now is when you begin the journey across the vast and open Great Plains. You will see Badlands National Park, which offers stunning views of unique landscapes. Part of this journey on Interstate 90 will also take you through the town of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where you can stretch your legs at Falls Park and see the waterfalls found there.
Mount Rushmore
The Mount Rushmore National Memorial is chiseled into the face of a granite mountain on the far western side of South Dakota. It’s located in the Black Hills, close to the town of Keystone. This iconic piece of Americana features the heads of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.
Points of interest
In addition to visiting the monument itself, there are several great attractions for visitors to this area. One example of this is Big Thunder Gold Mine, which is a museum about mining. It also offers visitors the chance to go gold panning. Right down the road from the monument is Rushmore Tramway Adventures where visitors can ride on zip lines.
Sixt Insider Tip
When you first arrive at Mt. Rushmore, you will want to stop in at the information center where you can pick up quite a bit of information about both the park and its creator, Gutzon Borglum. Inside the information center, you can view a short film that offers a detailed history of the monument and how it was created.
From Mt. Rushmore to Cheyenne, WY (276 miles)
As you begin the next leg of the drive, you’ll notice a shift in the type of geography that you’ll see around you. You’ll leave behind the wide-open spaces of the plains and move into the more rugged terrain of the valleys of Wyoming with a variety of mountain peaks towering all around you.
Cheyenne, WY
Cheyenne, Wyoming, is the capital of Wyoming and it takes a page right out of the history books of the Old West of the United States. This is due in no small part to the fact that Cheyenne is the site of so many historic railroad lines that served as an expansion of American settlers from east to west.
Points of interest
One iconic location in Cheyenne is the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum, which offers visitors the chance to look over many historical artifacts and memorabilia from famous rodeos. The Cheyenne Botanic Gardens is a unique change of pace for this area because of all of the tropical plants will find inside its walls.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
A big part of the dining culture of Cheyenne is a great steak. The Wyoming Rib and Chop House in the downtown area is one of the best-known places to eat steak in Cheyenne. If you are looking for a classically styled place to stay for a night in Cheyenne, a good choice is the Nagle Warren Mansion B&B.
Sixt Insider Tip
Do yourself a favor and head to the Cheyenne Depot Plaza to take a picture of yourself next to one of the giant boot statues. If you want a unique Western experience, stop in at The Terry Bison Ranch where you can go on a trail ride on horseback.
From Cheyenne to Jackson (423 miles)
Now you will begin to start your climb into the mountain ranges of this area. This part of the drive will take you through both Shoshone National Forest and Bridger-Teton National Forest. There will be ample opportunities to hop out of the car to explore some of the most breathtaking and rugged terrains you may ever experience.
Jackson, WY
Jackson, Wyoming, is a small town in Jackson Hole Valley and is home to three different ski areas, including Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Beyond winter sports, this area is a mecca for outdoor activities like hiking, mountain bike riding, rafting and fishing.
Points of interest
One of the best-known destinations in this area is the town square, specifically because of the entry arch made of elk horns. A popular event in this area is the Jackson Hole Rodeo, which has a great reputation for bronco riding and offers events throughout the spring, summer and autumn months.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
The town of Jackson boasts quite a wide variety of dining options. These include classic diner fare and burgers as well as upscale and creative crafts meals that feature unique meats such as buffalo and elk. The Wort Hotel is a quaint and rustic place to stay located just one block west of the Jackson Town Square.
Sixt Insider Tip
Jackson is a great place to explore by bike. Even though there are so many outdoor activities to see and do, most are close at hand because of the small size of the town. Traveling by bicycle also affords you the chance to get to and see places that may not be accessible by car.
From Jackson to Yellowstone (48 miles)
As you drive north from Jackson along Highway 91, you will approach Yellowstone. Part of this journey will take you along the eastern edge of the beautiful Jackson Lake. As you near Yellowstone, you will pass right by Lewis Lake before arriving at the western thumb of Yellowstone Lake.
Yellowstone National Park
This national park encompasses nearly 3,500 square miles and is located above a volcanic hotspot. The park itself features all manner of striking canyons, forests, alpine rivers, geysers and hot springs. Because of the sheer size of the park, you could visit for several days without ever seeing the same thing.
Points of interest
Most visitors to Yellowstone will want to stop at one of the most famous geysers in the world, Old Faithful. This particular geyser offers an information booth plus plenty of seating to witness its eruptions of water and steam. Another great choice is Yellowstone Lake where you can go boating and fishing.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
If you want to truly experience Yellowstone, try to book a campsite inside the park. If you prefer to be under a roof, there are plenty of summer lodges located throughout the park as well. In terms of dining inside the park, most of what you’ll find will be basic fare aiming to please everyone.
Sixt Insider Tip
If you are going to see Old Faithful, do so early in the morning or late in the evening as crowds are lighter. Yellowstone is also a great place to go on some amazing hikes. Because you want to keep your distance from the wildlife here, make sure you bring a pair of binoculars.
