Mid-March, wife Lisa and I are planning to drive across Montana, South Dakota, and Minnesota, headed for Rochester, MN. Any highlights along the drive we should see? Any tips on avoiding certain places, such as metro areas? Thanks guys.

Jack

What kind of interest do you have and how much time ? Historical, food, outdoors, what ? I would avoid Rochester if it was not my destination. Used to be a nice middle America city.

Avoiding MSP goes without saying! My niece lives in Rochester and works at the Mayo. If you need anything while you are there give a holler and I will make sure she gets you taken care of. If time allows the late ice Crappie and Bluegill bite here should be about at the peak.

Are you driving thru the Black Hills? Lots of things to do and see there, could easily spend a few days.

Go eat at VIctoria's Italian Restaurant - they have amazing food. Its right up by Mayo in Rochester

Some good B&Bs in Red Wing MN if your heading through that way, bout 30 min from my house the wife and I like to stay every now and then. There's a good supper club and a great burger place in Miesville just down the road from there. Casino is right down the road, the town is right on the Mississippi lots of nice old buildings lots of good views.

I would agree with 160 on this, I work in St Paul, always make sure the truck is full so I don't have to stop any where except work.

Custer State Park, Mt. Rushmore, Badlands lots to see around here

If you're going across 94 be sure to spend a little time in Roosevelt National Park. If you go on 90, Devils Tower is not far off your route.

If you go on 94 you'll need to take 494 around the twin cities, if you drop down to 90 you will not have to worry about it.

What Bernie said. Devil's Tower is well worth seeing. Same for the Badlands.

Good luck with your Mayo appointments
been 50+ years since my last high school visit
it was the same time my billet that School teacher Mr Buck was setting up their outdoor education centre

I have never heard the 3rd Grade referred to as "High School". I could see you calling it your "Senior Year" though.

don't miss the SPAM museum

Jack,
Swing down to Chatfield MN. and check out the P&Y Headquarters and museum it's only a twenty minute drive from Rochester, I think you would be glad you did.

The museum of the fur trade in Chadron Ne is a little bit of a detour but well worth seeing. Leave several hours if you are interested in seeing all it has to offer, including hundreds of original rifles. Although located in the Rocky Mtn west the museum covers the entire fur trade era from great lakes west. I'll second what others said regarding Devil's Tower and the Badlands. Pompey's Pillar is another interesting historical attraction from the L&C expedition.

I'd avoid rochester unless you are going to the mayo.

Go to the Scheels store in Rochester if you need any reloading supplies, they seem to have the best inventory, not the Rochester store per se, Scheels in general.

Check out Whitewater state park if you have time.

At the rate this winter is going, my hopes for you are that the roads are open!! Getting another foot + blast with 40-50 mph winds in a day or 2.

I will second that, Victoria's very good food.

If you come down 94 there is a cool Truck stop in Clearwater MN, good breakfast, good bakery. I would meet you there if at all possible and buy you and the wife a meal in exchange for one tiger or leopard story.