Old US route 20 toward Billings

[GeorgeR1200RT]

I plan to attend the rally in Billings and am looking for a route I have not previously used to get there.

My first day will be to depart from central Ohio and visit my daughter and her family in the NW Chicago suburbs.

Has anyone traveled old US 20 west of Chicago (probably starting in Rockford, IL) across Iowa, Nebraska and Wyoming?

I would turn north to Billings, Montana in either Casper or keep going to on Rt 20 to Greybull depending on time. North from Casper to Billings is all interstate. North from Greybull looks like all two lane through varied terrain.

I have done all the interstates west of Chicago and they are great if in a hurry. I have found I enjoy the ride more going through the small towns and see part of the USA never experienced before. And there are no major cities to deal with west of Chicago on old route 20.

US 20 is one of the longest continuous roads in the USA.

Any experience out there on this route? Thanks.

 

[akbeemer]

Annie has a sister who lives in Chicago and we live in MT. We rode 20 most of the way home on one occassion. To be frank I do not recall a great deal of detail about the road other than it was better than yet another drone on the interstate. I'd recommend cutting over to Cody and then heading to Billings. From Cody you have a couple of options, including the Chief Joseph and Beartooth Pass. If you have time, then cut over to Boysen State Park, then north on 16 to Greybull, head east on 14 up into the Bighorns, turn around at Dayton and then head back to Cody. Cody is a good place to spend a day. The Buffalo Bill Museum is fantastic and if you camp there is a nice KOA south of town.

 

[71243]

It's been awhile...1999 & 2004 but yes I have traveled the "Oregon Trail" west from Ohio twice, heading to Portland. Not sure if i can answer many questions, that would be current ? But in general I do recommend the route. I picked it up in Dubuque both times, and found it an enjoyable route all the way. Veered off to Missoula , back to it etc, veered off to Deadwood, Devil's tower etc,...but you get the picture.

In O'Neil, Ne...[if still there] ? the Carriage House motel is a neat / clean mom&pop place, in town...Allison's restaurant !!! best damn steak I ever had. Chadron,Ne another neat little town, has several choices for both eat & sleep..just west of there US 385 will take you north through Wind-Cave park toward Deadwood...keep an eye out for Buffalo !! & Antelope...

I'm starting to ramble so....but yeah IMO you'll luv it....allow time to take time...enjoy!!

 

[PGlaves]

Highway 20 across Iowa is a typical two lane U.S. highway across Iowa. A number of small towns and no cities of significant size except Sioux City. It is similar in eastern Nebraska but a very nice road west of Norfolk. 385 north from Chadron to Custer is nice but can be a bit touristy in the Blackhills. Depending on what you want to see and your schedule you can beat feet west at Custer on 16, or explore more of the Black Hills and then angle northwest through Belle Fourche on 212.

 

[arthurdent]

US 20 west of Sioux City to O'Neill is nature's largest roller coaster. Has been a problem with a tiny little bridge near Laurel, NE that keeps washing out causing detour. From O'neill west across NE you're in the Sandhills - unique geology but LONELY.

The road itself from Sioux City to NE 14 is OK but showing a lot of wear since it's last re-do almost 20 years ago. I don't travel 20 west of 14 so can't speak to its condition.

Let's just say that you won't find any FF anywhere but Valentine or Chadron. (Try a Runza while you're passing through). 89/91 octane fuel won't be available anywhere but Valentine or Chadron and it will be a fair bit more expensive west of Sioux City.

All that said, Nebraska ain't flat like all those interstate droning pukes yell about.

 

[GeorgeR1200RT]

Great and helpful information so far....thanks

Keep it coming!!

This sounds like my planned route will be interesting.

 

[David13]

I used to always look for 40 when I was making the back and forth trips years ago. That was sort of my favorite, very little of which do I remember except for just west of Denver.
I suppose I was on some highway 20.
However, I want to say, ride it. See for yourself. Then let us know what you find, in terms of up to date info.
This particularly as you have experience on the other roads.
I may always have to recommend 'something different', even if I don't know what's out there.
Finding a different way always seems to turn out nice for me. That little store, the people I talk to, a diner or cafe or restaurant.
dc

 

[elgin mary]

Galena

If you take 20 from Rockford you can enjoy some nice riding to the Mississippi River, including going through Galena. A couple of years ago I took 20 most of the way to the rally in Salem. I avoided going through Yellowstone though. Too much traffic.

 

[GeorgeR1200RT]

Elgin Mary,
I agree it is nice riding to the Mississippi through Galena.

I lived in Rockford, IL for 8 years before moving to central Ohio and rode to Galena and along the Mississippi frequently. I am a native of Chicago who moved to Michigan when a boy and have lived in great lakes states all my life...numerous places in Illinois, Michigan and Ohio.

I just never traveled far past Dubuque on 20 other than to head north to Minnesota and points northwest.

Glad you enjoyed route 20 as a way to Salem.

I am looking forward to taking that route towards Billings.

George

 

[beemerchuck]

Nebrasks Highway 20 alternative

Only 43 miles of US 20 in Iowa is 2 lane. The rest is 4 lane and passes only thru Dubuque and Waterloo. It skirts most towns until it turns back to 2 lane near Early. Nice road but not a lot to see. If you have time and interest, the Miller house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is just south of Independence near Quasqueton. This is the only totally original, still fully furnished of Wright's houses. open to the public. Wright designed the house and ALL the furnishings inside. Free will offering to tour the property.

An alternative to US 20 in eastern Nebraska is NE 12, the Outlaw Scenic By-way. This takes a more northern course thru Niobrara, along the Missouri river. Beautiful parks with fantastic river views of the only wild parts of river at Ponca and Niobrara state parks. NE 12 roughly follows the Niobrara river and rejoins US 20 at Valentine. Hillier and curvier than US 20.

Please take the US 20 bypass south around Sioux City directly into Nebraska. We are in the middle of a major re-construction of I-29 thru town including the exits onto US 20 business / Gordon Drive. Traffic patterns and detours might be a bit challenging to non-locals.