Route suggestions--washington state to Wisconsin no interstate

[portchelanman]

Looking at riding from Washington state to Wisconsin on two lane highways.  Looking for suggestions for a roué that avoids the interstate--been there and done that several times. Thinking about highway 12, did highway 2 the last time.

Will appreciate any ideas, thanks.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

How much time do you have for this venture? What bike will you be on?

[portchelanman]

Five days, maybe six each way, on his and her weestroms

[sleazy rider]

12 looks good to me.  Route 20 thru Wyoming, Nebraska ain't too bad either.  East of that thru Iowa and into 'sconny?  Meh.

[three west]

when I saw the subject my first response was 2, but if you've done that I'd go for 12 this time around too  

[stromgal]

When I rode coast-to-coast in '07, I decided to take county trunk roads as much as possible, moving up the scale to state or US roads only when necessary. Saw a great slice of America that way.

[bluepoof]

Northern or southern Wisconsin?  In other words, how far south can we route you?  

[portchelanman]

I'm open to lots of options, including being routed south, though the last time we made this run we got off of I-80 in western Nebraska and followed US 20 all the way through Iowa.  Really interrested in two lane roads across Montana, Wyoming and the Dakotas.  Might want to travel in early to mid June (or later)

[Eric308]

US212 east from Crow Agency, MT goes all the way across SD. Also goes right by Little Big Horn Battlefield which is a very interesting stop. Western SD is scenic and gets very pretty just before the the Lake Oahe dam (Missouri River). Continue on across into MN and eventually drop down to US14 east which crosses into WI at LaCrosse. I've done this route many times and never tire of it. Here's a shot of the bridge across the Missouri at the Oahe dam.

[Kneescrubber]

 


Looking forward to a ride report.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Hey Mr. Chelanman!

Since you're from Wenatchee, I'm going to assume that you need no help in getting out of Washington (or do you?). But how much further east does your knowledge extend? Glacier? Lolo Pass? Spearfish Canyon in SD? The Badlands?

Also, how far north would you like to go? Willing to venture into the Great White North?  

[birdrunner]

Coming home from the NAt'l last year (Blackhills) we went by Devil's Tower and followed 212 through S. Montana, then connected to  89 through some really nice riding on the way to Glacier NP.

From there to where you are are so many nice rides, I don't think you could screw it up.  Perhaps the western side of the Cascade Hwy, or take the secret road on the NW side of lake Koocanusa or ....

[Scoop]

US212 east from Crow Agency, MT goes all the way across SD. Also goes right by Little Big Horn Battlefield which is a very interesting stop. Western SD is scenic and gets very pretty just before the the Lake Oahe dam (Missouri River). Continue on across into MN and eventually drop down to US14 east which crosses into WI at LaCrosse. I've done this route many times and never tire of it. Here's a shot of the bridge across the Missouri at the Oahe dam.

Take 14E across much of SD past Brookings, then to MN 23E.  Go north east to Granite Falls, then get on 212 E to Dahlgren.  Just past Dahlgren, get on County Rd 11 south to 282 E.  That will take you to the Apple Valley area of MN, south of Minneapolis/St. Paul.  Take any route you want east, but you want to end up on 55E.  Cross into WI on 61 (north of off 55) then go east on 35 at Prescott.  Follow 35 along the Mississippi as far into WI as you want to go.  Great ride.  Take any county road off of 35, lots of fun little areas along the river.  if you get a chance, go east from the river at LaCrosse, getting to 33 through Ontario, then take 33 south east out of Ontario and hit 131 south.  Any of those roads are great.  Little towns, great riding, good food.  

[Rammer]

Last year I rode Highway 200 all the way from Sand Point, ID to Floodwood, MN. If you take 200 across ND, be sure to check out the Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile Site about 4 miles north of Cooperstown, ND.  http://fjr-trips10.blogspot.com/2011/08/day-16-last-day.html Click < for pictures. Well worth the donation and a much better tour than the National Parks LCC tour in the Badlands of SD.

Hwy 12 from Grangeville, ID to Lolo, MT is hard to beat too.

[Eric308]

Take 14E across much of SD past Brookings, then to MN 23E.  Go north east to Granite Falls, then get on 212 E to Dahlgren.  Just past Dahlgren, get on County Rd 11 south to 282 E.  That will take you to the Apple Valley area of MN, south of Minneapolis/St. Paul.  Take any route you want east, but you want to end up on 55E.  Cross into WI on 61 (north of off 55) then go east on 35 at Prescott.  Follow 35 along the Mississippi as far into WI as you want to go.  Great ride.  Take any county road off of 35, lots of fun little areas along the river.  if you get a chance, go east from the river at LaCrosse, getting to 33 through Ontario, then take 33 south east out of Ontario and hit 131 south.  Any of those roads are great.  Little towns, great riding, good food.  

Great suggestions....don't miss this little Roadfood joint in Brookings.
http://nickshamburgers.com/

[Scoop]

Great suggestions....don't miss this little Roadfood joint in Brookings.
http://nickshamburgers.com/

Oh yes,  Don't miss Nicks.  Get the T-shirt.