Interstate 90 (AKA I-90), is a coast-to-coast, transcontinental freeway, and it just so happens to be America's longest Interstate Highway. Unless you've only traveled around the southern portion of America, you've probably hopped on and off I-90 at some point, whether you boarded around Boston, Chicago or Seattle. I-90 is a whopping 3,020 miles long, after all! In the east, I-90 begins right by Boston's Logan Airport, passes through the Continental Divide by Butte, Montana and ends in Seattle, near Safeco and CenturyLink Field. Whether you're taking it all the way or just for a few miles, these are a few of the best I-90 road trip stops.
Daphne, Alabama, United States
310 South Front Street, Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Comfort Drive, Festus, Missouri, United States
Needles Hwy, Custer, South Dakota, United States
Mount Rushmore National Monument is a road trip ESSENTIAL! Once you get here, it's just $11 to park, and you'll find a great place to get a picture of yourself in front of the massive monument at Grand View Terrace. It's important to note that peak tourist season for Rushmore is June through August, and during this time traffic can get a bit backed up. If you're traveling during summer, plan to get their early in the morning or late in the afternoon. There's a great little walking path at the base of the monument as well.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States
Our Lady of the Rockies is America's third largest statue, and it's quite the sight to see. You can even go inside the statue-- but be prepared to be moved: the walls are covered in letters and mementos left there by visitors in memory of their loved ones. If you have a special intention in mind, you can bring along a little something to leave with Our Lady of the Rockies and you can rest assured that she will take good care of it. Otherwise, you can view it from just about anywhere in the town of Butte.
Then head to Deer Lodge, MT and take a tour of the Old Prison Museum. It's an amazing tour if you have the time. You'll be able to walk through the prison tunnels, and through the facility, which is like walking back in time. Plus, your admission gets you into a pretty awesome car museum as well.
From the Old Prison to a verifiable ghost town! If you have time to venture a little bit farther off I-90, Garnet Ghost Town is a fantastic detour. Yes, it's off-the-beaten-path, but because of that it's not a particularly popular place for I-90 tourists to venture off to. You can easily spend an entire afternoon hanging out here and walking around. There are incredible opportunities for photos and the setting is absolutely gorgeous, surrounded by wildlife and forests.
Depending on the time of year you decide to drive I-90, it's important to note that weather can affect your journey. Snow and high winds will plague you from Minnesota to Montana, especially in the winter. Snow plows do a pretty good job, but if there's a storm, you could get stuck, so be prepared before setting out for this trip. Also, keep in mind that between Rapid City and the Black Hills, you'll be at an exceptionally high elevation, which means it's a bit more colder in this area. Pack accordingly, depending on the time of year. In fact, during deep winter, you can expect sub-zero temperatures across South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana. Remember your anti-freeze, snow tires, and don't let yourself run low on gas.