Hitting the road to the great north west (US)

[sgollapalle]

Today will be my last day at work  After bending over for more than a year at this gig, I've decided to show them the finger and move on! Before I get back into a new gig, I've decided to take on some adventure!
Here is the rough route [The points on the map aren't necessarily where I'm stopping] The only definite stops are Indy, Green Bay, Glacier NP, Yellowstone NP, Mount Rushmore. Alternating between friends of friends, rest areas, and camping; and if it needed to be done a motel here and there.


Think it will take me 3.5 - 5 weeks; Stopping at interesting places along the way, some detours, some mountain roads, good food, beer and music 
Unfortunately, I'm doing this in the Auto and not on the moto 

Any of you in these areas, know of must see places, good twistys to take; I'd like to check them out.
I'll post some pics along the way if there is interest.

Mods, feel free to move to the no moto area, if thats where it fits better.

[Skybarney]

Should be a great adventure!  I took off once for a month and rode every single twisty road I could find in Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico.  Literally zig zagging the states with no goal other than twisties!

If you want to do big distance it is a good route (bring rain gear).  If you want to play on a ton of twisties you might wanna dig a bit more ( :

[Dirty Duc]

You should swing a bit further south and come check us out at Bonneville!  We'll be here all next week (or until it rains).

[duc_fan]

When you go through the Columbia Gorge, hop over to SR-14 instead of slabbing it on I-84.

Here's a good scenic route to Portland:
http://goo.gl/maps/LnN2U

I added in several of the good twisties and scenic roads in the Gorge.

There are a bunch of alternate options.

1) If you cross over to Oregon at The Dalles, you can take the old Highway 30 from The Dalles to Mosier.  Stunning views and some tight twisties on this stretch.  Then back on I-84 from Mosier to the turnoff for the Old Columbia River Scenic Highway (still Hwy 30) west of Cascade Locks, and you can stay off the interstate all the way to Troutdale.

2) On the Oregon side, you can go south on Highway 35 from Hood River, swing past the east flank of Mt. Hood, then west on Highway 26 into Sandy then on to Portland.  There are a BUNCH of backroads I could get you lost on along this route...

3) If you stay on the Washington side, you can turn north on Highway 97 and go to Goldendale.  Then turn west on Highway 142 and follow that down to Lyle and meet back up with SR-14 (this is a great drive/ride along the Klickitat River).  This is a 45min-1hr detour that is totally worth it, IMO.

It all depends on how much time you have and how twisty you want the detours.  

If you're coming through Hood River on a weekday, post up... that's where I work.  Would be happy to take a "mental health break" and introduce you to one of our local breweries.

[herm]

go further south in Oregon before sliding over to Idaho, and check out Crater Lake NP....

[Mike_D]

Quite the road trip.  I grew up in Montana, so definitely take your time in Glacier and Yellowstone.  You might consider heading south from Portland and spending some time at Yosemite, that way you can see the three best national parks in the lower 48.  Have a great time and soak it all in.

[bob795]

Looks like it's going to be a great trip 
Be safe and keep us update if possible, I personally would love to read a ride report on this trip.

[sgollapalle]

@ Skybarney, That's about my goal, not to have a goal! Doing this in the car. Would get too expensive to do on the moto, between the two 7500 mi services, and the two sets of tires that I might burn up; Not to mention the sore back and ass....

@Dirty Duc, Had checked out the Bonneville flats back in 2008, but there wasn't any event then [was there early winter]. I probably won't make it to southern ID until first week of Sept; if you guys are going to be there then, Would love to do the detour.

@Duc fan, Thanks for the tips. Will look into the route map. Definitely looks fun. Will post if it looks like I'll end up hood river on a week day. Would love to check out the local breweries!

@Herm, Crater Lake NP does sound interesting. Thanks! Will see how I'm doing when I'm around Portland and plan from there.

@Mike, Yellow Stone has been on list of things to do for a while.. And while planing the route, I stumbled upon Glacier NP, and added that to the agenda. Have already done a couple of trips to Yosemite; The western side in 2008 and the Eastern side and mono lake in March this year. Good times!

[ChrisK]

At point D on your map, continue going north rather than sliding a little bit to the East. Follow the Mississippi up through Savanna and Galena, IL then on up to New Glarus, WI.

[duc_fan]

You're welcome.    Oh... I just realised I was looking at your route backward.  I thought you were going east-to-west through the Gorge.  Will need to reverse the directions of my recommended alternates.

[SpikeC]

 Here is one more... The Custer battlefield in Montana. There are many ghosts lurking about the hills, it is a very sobering experience.

[sgollapalle]

At point D on your map, continue going north rather than sliding a little bit to the East. Follow the Mississippi up through Savanna and Galena, IL then on up to New Glarus, WI.

Thanks! Looks like a nice route along the river. Will make a day trip out of it since I have a place to crash in the Quad cities area. Any idea if one side is better than the other? [67/52 on the IA side or 84 on the IL side?]

[sgollapalle]

Made it to Point C today. It was a straight shot. Going to check out the big cats tomorrow 
http://www.exoticfelinerescuecenter.org/home.html

[Dirty Duc]

Ah... we just got home from the salt today.

We won't be back Bonneville way until next year, but there should be at least one other forum member representing with a wee little bike...

[RBX QB]

Jealous. Would love to do a massive road trip... even if it were in the car.

Once you get to Spokane, WA, look at taking Highway 2 west of there. Less traveled than I-90, some more interesting sites and small towns (Leavenworth, for instance)... could even side trip up to the Grand Coulee Dam, if time allows.

Downside to this route is that it will dump you in Everett. I-5 Everett to Seattle will be packed if you roll through during commute hours. Be patient, or time your arrival on this side of the mountains to fall outside commute times.


If you have WAY too much time, look at the North Cascades Highway (SR20)... Popular ride on 2 wheels, but pretty far north. Winthrop is a major stop on that route.

And, if you have more time than you think once you get to Portland, you can't drive this far across the country without making it to the Pacific Ocean. If you find Crater Lake, OR is an option (highly recommended), take the long way out of Portland... head west to the coast and Highway 101 thru Astoria (Goonies), Tillamook (great cheese and air museum), and find an interesting road to cross back thru the mountains towards Crater Lake.


Drive safe.