Atlanta,GA to Darby, Montana-tips appreciated

[JimIrish7]

My wife and I are taking our retirement trip this summer. 5-6 weeks.

FIRST PART: We need to be in Darby, MT for an event and after that we are wide open.
July 6th, Tuesday leave Atlanta, GA and need to be in Darby July 15,Thursday.
Have looked on line and the route I am thinking: Leave Atlanta July 6th, Nashville(1night), Kansas City(1 night), Sioux Falls(1 night), Badlands(2 nights), Billings(1 night) and Darby.
Is this too much and too fast given the route?
Different stopping points given our time constraints or different route?
What campgrounds would you recommend?

SECOND PART: Have aprox. 5 weeks to see Yellowstone, Bryce, Arches and Estes CO.
Any tips here on routes, campgrounds etc. ?

We have a Montana HC 281CK and 2020 2500 Dodge. Sailun tires and disc brakes!


Big trip for us and so excited given we have never done this before.

Jim

[DadsHemi]

When we travel on a time sensitive schedule it’s about miles per day to get where you need to be. Be sure to factor in fuel stops and I’m assuming your 2500 is a 6.7 and not a gas 6.4. For us I figure in at least 30 to 45 minutes per fuel stop if you stop and fuel in the truck stop fuel lanes.

[rames14]

About 320 miles per day average is doable. If you have not been to the Badlands before, just spend one night there and spend another night near Custer State Park. When you get in the Estes area, that is near our home. I am not sure if they will still have restrictions because of Covid, but last year RMNP had a reservation system. Without a reservation, you can’t get in the park. Enjoy the retirement trip.

[suny07]

Hi,

we do typically 1 of those 2 routes.
We mostly outbound the south route and have a first night in Nashville to get settled in the rig.
From there you could do it in 2 days to billings, but thats a tough call.

Last year we did harvest host stops and a little less miles per day.
The Harvest Host stops are quite refreshing and "force" you to arrive latest around 5pm.

Its a great trip. If you have enough time add the Black Hills to your route.

Mike

[twindman]

I would heartily disagree with suny. From Nashville to Billings is 1600 miles. Unless you don't stop and average 50 mph, you would have to drive 16 hours a day. By my calcs, you need to average 370 miles a day of driving. So just look at the map and figure where 400 miles +- takes you. I used to drive 350-425, but I have slowed down and aim for 250-350. Get in early and have time to rest up a bit and cook supper.


As for part 2, since you will be west of Yellowstone I would look around West Yellowstone for campgrounds. The best is Grizzly RV PArk but very expensive - about $100 a day. Others in town are cheaper, but small tight sites per the reviews. If you go North or West there are some campgrounds that are less and roomier, but I didn't want an extra 20-30 minutes of driving to the Park gate. Also the Park is VERY busy. Go early (tho I prefer sleeping in a bit) and expect most parking lots to be full by mid day or so. If you have never been, take many days to see wolves (if lucky), grizzlies or other bears, MANY buffalo and elk and again if luck, a moose.
Utah is going to be VERY hot in late summer. I think there are about 6 National parks/monuments spread out over the state. Definitely see Bryce and Zion. We spent a week or so and by the end I was actually tired of red rock!! Beautiful, but after a while......
If you see Zion/Bryce you will be in Southern Utah, and Estes park is in the northern 1/3 of Colorado. So back tracking is required. Estes park isn't much, but I assume you want to see Rocky Mtn National Park there.
As you can tell, I have seen the area often as I live in AZ. The WEST is VERY BIG - LOL. Have fun.
p.s. I use campgroundreviews.com to pick a campground. Good to see other's reviews and ratings.

[JimIrish7]

Would you all suggest go ahead and book the majority of the camp grounds now?

[mlh]

I would add Rocky Mt NP to the list. It’s not far out of your way and well worth seeing. Since you will be in Montana, Glacier park is a must see. The Going to the Sun Road in the park is fabulous. Check it out.
Lynwood

[twindman]

I am traveling from AZ to NC to Iowa/Wisconsin to West Glacier and back to AZ. I am only reserving this far out for resort areas like Glacier/Yellowstone, Myrtle Beach in S? Carolina, and on the Lake Superior in N. Wisconsin. Last year places out in the boonies I booked mostly a couple of weeks out, and near big cities, etc maybe 2 months.

I am pretty anal with my schedule, as I had everything booked last year about May 1, with about half by April tho. I had no trouble getting anything then.
Places for you like Glacier/Yellowstone and Estes Park I would book now. You can forget anything in Yellowstone or Jackson Hole at Nat. parks, unless you have a small unit (30 ft??) at these places.

[JimIrish7]

1. Will look at reviews and not book everything now.
2. We are going to add Glacier since we are so close and go from there down to Yellowstone, Bryce and over to Rocky Mtn. in Colorado.

Jim

[mlh]

Originally Posted by JimIrish7

1. Will look at reviews and not book everything now.
2. We are going to add Glacier since we are so close and go from there down to Yellowstone, Bryce and over to Rocky Mtn. in Colorado.

Jim

Now that sounds like a great trip.
Also look at the Buffalo Bill Museum in Coty Wyoming. To me it’s a must see. It’s actually 5 museums in one. The first time I saw it two friends in Wyoming insisted I see it. So I thought I would do them a favor and spend 15 minutes in this little town museum. I spent 2 days it’s fabulous.
Lynwood