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.
Jordan, MT, United States
Before you reach Seattle, which deserves its own trip guide, finish off your trip at North Bend (have lunch at Twede's Cafe, which was the filming location for the Double-R diner from the cult TV show, "Twin Peaks".) While in the area, absolutely visit Snoqualmie Falls. This is one of America's most beautiful waterfalls. The falls are easy to get to, there's lots of parking and it's wheelchair-accessible. And, once again, if you're a "Twin Peaks" fan, you'll recognize it as the waterfall where the Great Northern Lodge is located!
Another great place to get out and stretch your legs is the Gingko Petrified Forest State Park in the town of Vantage, a little under three hours outside Spokane. Here you can walk through a petrified forest (basically, you'll see lots of sparkly, fossilized logs) and along the Columbia River shoreline. There are also places to camp, including RV sites, a restroom and three miles of hiking trails.
After you leave Coeur d'Alene, it won't be long before you reach Washington state! Head to the John Wayne Pioneer Trail, a 145-mile trail that takes you from Iron Horse State Park all the way to Tekoa (via various counties including Spokane). The trail is parallel to the Chicago-Milwaukee-St. Paul-Pacific Railroad, and takes you two-thirds of the way through Washington. It's an easy exit off I-90 at either the Cedar Falls, Twin Falls, or Hyak exit. Wherever you decide to hike, it's a beautiful trail.
Next, head to Old Mission State Park to see the oldest building in Idaho. The Mission of the Sacred Heart was built in 1850 and is a fantastic place to learn about the history of the area, from its first tribal inhabitants to the Jesuit missionaries that later settled there. There's a visitor center and gift shop onsite, and it's close to the Trail of the Coeur d' Alenes, one of America's most amazing bike trails, in case you've brought your bicycle on your road trip.
If you keep going for a few more miles along I-90, you'll reach Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. This Idaho city is filled with natural beauty, which you can experience at Tubbs Hill Nature Park. Enjoy a nice meal and some local beers at Crafted Taphouse and Kitchen, or get the perfect breakfast at The Garnet Cafe. And as for hotels in Coeur d'Alene, spots like the Roosevelt Inn, Coeur d'Alene Resort and the Greenbrier Inn are excellent options.
Then it's onto Crystal Gold Mine in Kellogg. Regardless of what time of year you're road tripping across I-90, this is a fantastic stop. It was a working mine from 1879 until 1881, then it was closed and forgotten until 1991. In 1996 it opened as a historical tourist attraction. You can take an underground tour here, learn all about the late 19th century mining methods and experience what life was like for miners in Silver Valley.
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.