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06-23-2009, 11:19 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Jul 2008
61 posts, read 46,580 times
Reputation: 42
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Finally!!!
The year long wait has come to an end. I'll officially be back on my way to the black hills tomorrow for the third straight summer. Two friends and I will be making the 21 hour drive from San Diego to Rapid City, and I'm super stoked  . We made the mistake of staying for only 2 weeks last year. This year, we will be there until mid August. We will be staying at a place in Black Hawk. Can anyone suggest which route to take after crossing into the SD border? Through Spearfish or through Custer. Which way would be better to get to Black Hawk? |
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06-23-2009, 11:21 PM
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Moderator
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: So. Dak.
13,275 posts, read 9,464,012 times
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I dunno about the route cause I'm not good at things like that. BUT welcome and enjoy your vacation. AND we expect several trip reports.
__________________
Moderator
The Rushmore State, Oklahoma, and Weather
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06-24-2009, 05:16 AM
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I am OPTIMUS PRIME
Status:
"Hanging around"
(set 12 days ago)
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: S.F.
318 posts, read 191,906 times
Reputation: 415
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Probably through Spearfish because it will take you right on I-90 to it.
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06-24-2009, 08:24 AM
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Summit Hill, Saint Paul, MN
Status:
"9 DAYS!!!"
(set 2 days ago)
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota
3,676 posts, read 3,130,007 times
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If you want the scenic route- Custer
If you want to get there right away- Spearfish I-90
I'd guess after a 21 hour drive you'll go through Spearfish! |
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06-24-2009, 12:11 PM
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Proud cancer survivor
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Join Date: Sep 2008
2,347 posts, read 925,427 times
Reputation: 1364
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After 21 hours I would want a place where there was a bed. Sounds like loads of fun.
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06-24-2009, 12:42 PM
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Real Estate Agent
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Lead Sd
350 posts, read 126,115 times
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Which way are you coming into SD from? Hwy 85? If you are coming in from Newcastle Wyo. you will want to follow Hwy 85 to Deadwood then hwy 14A to Sturgis then I-90 to black hawk. Spearfish route WILL be like 20 minutes longer. If you take the southern route it is quicker to turn at the Mule Creek Junction rest area going thru Edgemont to Hot Springs 18 to 79 you head around Custer that way and don't have to slow down as much. I am not sure which of these will be quickest to Black Hawk, but both are quicker than the Custer or Spearfish routes.
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06-24-2009, 04:23 PM
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Summit Hill, Saint Paul, MN
Status:
"9 DAYS!!!"
(set 2 days ago)
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota
3,676 posts, read 3,130,007 times
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Yeah come to think of it, wouldn't you be coming through Cheyenne then Lusk then Edgemont? Just follow Highway 18 to Highway 79. That takes you directly into Rapid City and then you can just merge onto I-90 and go to Piedmont.
This map shows the suggested route. You can bypass going through the Black Hills altogether. This is also how we get to and from Denver.
Driving Directions from San Diego, CA to Rapid City, SD |
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06-25-2009, 11:05 PM
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rotaredoM
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Where Five Miles joins the Tongue, Wy
6,304 posts, read 4,475,903 times
Reputation: 2184
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I used to make that trip quite often.
San Diego to Salt Lake City.
SLC to just past Sinclair (on I-80)
Old road to Bosler.
Bosler to Wheatland.
Wheatland to Orin Junction.
Orin Junction to Lusk.
Lusk to Mule Creek Junction.
Mule Creek Junction to Edgemont.
Edgemont to Custer.
Custer to 385 (just past Pactola)
385 to Rapid City.
Shortest and the most scenic. However, the most dangerous if your doing it in one swoop with no stops (other then fuel).
Last edited by ElkHunter; 06-26-2009 at 08:23 AM..
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06-30-2009, 12:53 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Jul 2008
61 posts, read 46,580 times
Reputation: 42
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Got here early saturday morning. Went with the Hot Springs route, and got lost. Drove by hundreds of buffalo sitting on the sides of the road in the middle of the night. Ended up having to stop at the hot springs police station to ask for directions at 4am. Other than that, the trip was smooth. Took about a total of 22 hours with some close calls with almost running out of gas in the middle of nowhere.
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06-30-2009, 08:44 PM
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Livin' The Dream...
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
2,277 posts, read 1,097,191 times
Reputation: 1162
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MAXXIMUZ
Got here early saturday morning. Went with the Hot Springs route, and got lost. Drove by hundreds of buffalo sitting on the sides of the road in the middle of the night. Ended up having to stop at the hot springs police station to ask for directions at 4am. Other than that, the trip was smooth. Took about a total of 22 hours with some close calls with almost running out of gas in the middle of nowhere.
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That sucks.. but at least you made it to SD safe! |
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