Chicago to Gillette

[SUNRIDER711]

Best Route from Chicago? I'm meeting my husband somewhere in Nebraska. He lives in Lubbock, Texas. We are meeting up somewhere halfway and heading toward Gillette. I80, Rt 30, Rt 34, Rt 36??? I have taken I80,,, solid traffic.

Any info would be appreciated

Georgia ~/o

[nyfty]

Georgia: If you are meeting your husband in Nebraska, there aren't many choices between Nebraska and Chicago.

But depending on where you meet in Nebraska there are. If you are meeting in Grand Island NE, take NE Hwy 2 to Alliance NE then over to Gillette. If you are meeting in North Platte or Ogallala NE you can take NE Hwy 26 to Scottsbluff. You will pass Chimney Rock National Historical Site and Scottsbluff National Monument. Both were landmarks on the "Oregon Trail". So if you have your National Parks Passport Stamp Book, you'll be able to pick up a couple.

Hope this helps! hope to meet you in Gillette.

[fritzsampson]

Georgia,

If you take I - 80 to Omaha you can meet and then take Hwy 92 west to Hwy 2. It cuts off about 80 miles and avoids an extra 100 miles of I 80.

What day are you coming through? I plan to leave and take this route on sunday.

Fritz

[SUNRIDER711]

Fritz,

I am leaving Wednesday and thanks for the info.

Georgia

[2slowwheels]

If you end up out around North Platte or Ogallala, take 61 north from Ogallala, west on 2, then north on27. Then north/west into the Black Hills to Custer. The Nebraska Sand Hills are killer HOT in July but remote and beautiful. The roads mentioned out of Ogallala are hilly and curvey but do it in the morning because it is HOT.

[SUNRIDER711]

Is anyone familiar with taking Rte 34 from Chicago, thru Iowa and Nebraska? How

slow going? Or take I80 with the trucks to make better time?

Georgia

[fritzsampson]

Georgia

US Hwy 34 in Iowa is a good rd. Pretty straight, hilly in the west and scenic in my opinion. Lots of towns. But once you get to I-29 in Iowa (just west of Glenwood) 34 forces you south and ultimately takes you out of your way. You will end up down near Holdrege Neb. You want to be North of the Platte River, not south.

In Nebraska the fastest way across the state is I-80, if you use it all the way. If you divert at any point (e.g. Ogallala ) you will loose the time advantage because you add mileage and loose speed.

I lived at Alliance for years, and have driven every road referenced by others so far. All locals know the fastest way to Omaha from Alliance is Hwy 2 then 92 ( 7 hrs driving ). Fastest way to Lincoln is Hwy 2 then I-80 at Grand Island. Alliance is the gateway to Gillette. You will see the coal trains from the Powder River basin for 250 miles on your way there. The main corridor to Gillette is Alliance to Edgmont SD to Newcastle Wyo to Gillette. That is the route the railroad takes.

If you really want to get to Gillette fast go I-90. I have driven Sturgis to Omaha in one day may times. Never on a motorcycle.

As far as the scenic route is concerned, if you go North from I-80 at Ogallala be advised that there is only gas at Hyannis ( pop. 290), and the stations are not 24 hr. There is no gas- repeat no gas- and no service between Hyannis Ne and Alliance ( Hwy 2 - 58 miles ) or Gordon ( west on 2 to Elsworth then N on hwy 27 about 80 miles). You can fill at Ogallala and make Alliance easy. If you go west on Hwy 2 across the sandhills fill at Broken Bow. The station at Dunning does not carry high octane. I don't know why. There is a good station at Thedford, and it is open. But it is not 24 hr again.

hope this helps

Fritz