by brent » Mon Jun 19, 2017 11:00 am
if you don't mind the extra miles i would definitely do 2; the first option definitely has some nice stops and scenic areas, but option 2 will break up the monotony better, that drive through western minnesota>south dakota>montana is an incredibly long stretch with not a ton to see other than the black hills, which are definitely beautiful. i'm probably a little biased because i have driven it a billion times, but i love going west on i80 thru nebraska. it's not for everyone but i love the rolling plains, i think the color is much more vivid and drive a little more varied than i90 through south dakota.
if you do option 2: stop to eat in omaha, it's a cool/inexpensive food city, and basically the only bigger city on that drive. i can give some suggestions on places to try if you have something in mind, im sure the other nebraska boarders can as well. it will add on another couple of hours of driving, but you could also try to squeeze fort collins, CO in as well if you want to see the rockies there, but it may not be worth stopping by unless you want to do other things in the city (ie hit up some of the breweries there), as you would have to drive further to really see the mountains close up. def try to spend some extra time in the tetons/yellowstone area if you can. jackson is a tourist city but there are some decent places to eat. jenny lake in the grand tetons is a great stop, you can catch a cheap ferry across the lake and walk back around the lake, it doesn't take a ton of time and it's insanely beautiful. yellowstone is fucking huge and you definitely need time to really explore the entire park, but don't let the busy season deter you from stopping anywhere. it's a very driveable natl park and because of this i've never found it annoyingly crowded, even in peak seasons. at least try to stop by and see the falls, they're really amazing and there's tons of different viewing areas (obv you could also do something like old faithful, which is cool and unique and touristy, but the falls are the more picturesque option to me). also, it could be interesting going from yellowstone to glacier, while yellowstone is definitely a busy park, glacier to me is the opposite, it truly feels 'wild' and relatively untouched. we stayed at a campground at st mary's lake and a bear came through the campground every night we were there. definitely drive going to the sun road, one of the coolest drives i have ever done, and your timing will be perfect as i'd imagine the entire highway will be open in july
have fun!!