Hello from down-under!

I'm from Australia and I'm lucky to be headed to the 75th Sturgis event.
Starting from Eaglerider Phoenix, I'm overnighting in Albuquerque then onto Denver where I'll stop overnight in a hotel near Denver Int'l airport. From there, it's onto Rapid city.

I've had a look at a few routes for my trip to Rapid city where I'll be staying for 11 days and I can see three alternatives; I was hoping for some pro's and con's from anyone familiar with the journey.

The options from google maps are:
I-76 E & US-385 N
I-25 N & US-18 E
US-85N

Thanks in advance for any assistance or advice.

Scottylj.

 

When leaving from Denver, strongly consider making a local swing through Estes Park on your way.

 

Thanks Paul,

Looks to be a fine reason to detour and then take the I-25.

Cheers!

 

Only if he wants to lose a day battling the heavy summer tourist traffic. Estes Park is a zoo in summer.

Of the 3 choices, I highly recommend the blue route. It's the fastest, and will boast at least as much scenery as the other two.

 

Thanks High Roller,

I will be there on a week-day but I'm happy to hear that the scenery is nice on I-25

 

Yeah, take I-25,, the eastern route is flat prairie and rolling hills, pretty boring stuff.
I-25 isn't a lot better North of Cheyenne but you'll keep Laramie Peak on your left for awhile and see more wildlife like Antelope/Mule deer and private Bison herds.
I'd actually go north too New Castle then east through the Black Hills to Rapid City.

 

I've done both the left-hand routes on the map to Rapid City. I've also done the 76 to 385 route to head up to NW NE...I strongly recommend avoiding that route at all costs. It goes through some of the worst land and poorest communities in this area of the country.

You'll end up doing a lot of riding through the black hills while you're in Rapid City for the rally, but you could always add a stop at Rushmore, Jewel Cave, or Wind Cave into your day from Denver to Rapid City...it will break up the monotony of the ride. It's a pretty boring ride otherwise...and usually very windy.

 

I've done all 3 routes. 85 North out of Cheyenne is a good compromise as it gets you off the Interstate quickest.
I-25 North to the Guernsey exit, through Guernsey to HWY 270, North on 270 to HWY 20 to Lusk then North to Mule Creek Junction is a nice alternative.

 

Forget those routes. I-25 north to I-80 east at Cheyenne. East to Kimbal,Nebraska,then north on 71 up the Panhandle to Scott's Bluff,then up to Fort Robinson.Where Crazy Horse was murdered.You can either stay on 71 up to Hot Springs,S.D. ( a great ride) and jog east to 385 there,or head over to Chadron,and catch 385 north from there.The Panhandle country is rugged and scenic. 1-25 will put you in a coma. Don't screw with the Buffalo,they will jack you up.

 

Well I didn't exactly say the scenery is nice. I just said it's at least as nice as the other two routes. To be clear, there's very little to look at for the first 2/3 of the trip.

Estes Park has no weekends. From late May to early September, the entire area surrounding (and in) RM National Park is overrun by hordes of vacationers from all corners of the country. When you go to Sturgis you're on your way to a traffic jam in the mountains. Not sure why you'd want to take a detour to see another one on the way there.