a week from WI to SD

Hi all

I will be visiting a friend in madison, WI in early May. Afterwards I%26#39;d like to visit the badlands, black hills and mount rushmore. I have about 7 - 8 days for this part of the trip (including driving back to Madison) so what would be a good scenic route to go from WI - SD?

i have only started to begin my research but so if anyone has suggestions/order of visit please let me know.

Thanks

a week from WI to SD

Figure it will take a solid day each way to/from Madison and Black Hills. 774 miles (1,246km)...about 11 hours and that%26#39;s averaging 70mph (about 112kph) with no stops. Interstate 90 is not super scenic but as good as any road and in an area never seen before good enough. Definitely a great way to experience the transition from Eastern forestlands, through corn farms land to the dry Western prairie lands.

I would suggest stopping on the way at somewhere like Wall, SD and touring the Badlands early the next morning in morning light. Then an easy drive over the the Black Hills. Four days in The Hills and then leave early to drive back to Madison in one day.

Note...early May is also early in the toursit season so some places may not be on summer schedule quite yet. There could also be a few spots of snow in The Hills. Nothing to bother the roads but it could be cool temps. Then again, it might not be too crowded. Suggest staying two nights in Custer or Keystone and two in Deadwood where you can fit in a day trip to Devils Tower in Wyoming via Spearfish Canyon. Also, be sure not to miss Crazy Horse Memorial near Custer.

a week from WI to SD

There is really no other way to go, just a matter of choosing your stopping place. You could make it all the way there if you like. Going through the Badlands at one end is a good idea.

This is Wanda with the SD Office of Tourism. You might consider taking a different route each way. Perhaps on the way out to the Black Hills you could take what we call the ';Northern Route to the Black Hills.'; It%26#39;s very scenic, and includes some interesting small-town stops along the way. The association%26#39;s website is: www.northernroutesd.com. The only down side is it would definitely take longer than traveling the Interstate.

Then on the way back to Madison, you could take I-90 and take in all of the ';legacy attractions'; such as Badlands National Park, the National Minuteman Missile Site (call for reservations), Wall Drug, Murdo%26#39;s Car Museum, the 1880 Town and the Corn Palace.

I hope this helps...have a great trip!