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Chicago - Yosemite Valley

This 17-day trek is the ultimate slow-burn across the American heartland. You're trading the efficiency of the interstate for the soul of the side roads, peaking with the legendary 'Loneliest Road' in Nevada before dropping into the granite cathedral of Yosemite.

14days
56stops
DAY01

Chicago Start → Eagle Point Park

Overnight in Eagle Point Park
  1. 09:00
    Chicago Start· start
  3. 11:30
    DeKalb
  5. 15:00
    Mississippi River Bridge
  7. 17:00
    Eagle Point Park· overnight
Campsite · Eagle Point Park
Campsite details not verified yet
Roadside Fuel
  • Charlie's Coffee · Solid caffeine kick in a classic small-town setting.
  • Clinton Family Restaurant · No-frills diner food that hits the spot after a morning drive.
Dirtbag Budget
Gas
$35
Campsite
$20
DAY02

Clinton Departure → Ledges

Overnight in Ledges
  1. 08:30
    Clinton Departure· start
  3. 11:00
    Amana Colonies
  5. 15:30
    Marshalltown
  7. 18:00
    Ledges· overnight
Campsite · Ledges
Campsite details not verified yet
Local Eats
  • Amana Meat Shop · Grab some smoked meats for the cooler. Essential dirtbag fuel.
  • Ox Yoke Inn · Family-style German food if you want one 'real' meal.
Daily Spend
Groceries
$40
Gas
$45
DAY03

Ledges Departure → Kearney

Overnight in Kearney
  1. 08:00
    Ledges Departure· start
  3. 11:00
    Omaha Old Market
  5. 15:30
    Pioneer Village
  7. 18:30
    Kearney· overnight
Campsite · Kearney
Campsite details not verified yet
Nebraska Staples
  • Runza · You're in Nebraska. You have to eat a Runza. It's the law.
Budget
Gas
$50
Camping
$15
DAY04

Kearney Start → Wray

Overnight in Wray
  1. 08:30
    Kearney Start· start
  3. 11:00
    Buffalo Bill Ranch
  5. 15:00
    McCook
  7. 18:00
    Wray· overnight
Campsite · Wray
Campsite details not verified yet
Hidden Gems
  • Sehnert's Bakery · James Beard award winner in the middle of nowhere. Epic.
Expenses
Gas
$45
Food
$30
DAY05

Wray Departure → Estes Park

Overnight in Estes Park
  1. 08:00
    Wray Departure· start
  3. 11:30
    Greeley
  5. 15:00
    The Stanley Hotel
  7. 17:30
    Estes Park· overnight
Campsite · Estes Park
Campsite details not verified yet
Mountain Fuel
  • The Egg & I · Hearty breakfast to fuel the mountain climb.
  • Kind Coffee · Local Estes Park roaster. Great vibes.
Today's Budget
Park Entry
$35
Gas
$40
DAY06

Estes Park Start → Hot Sulphur Springs

Overnight in Hot Sulphur Springs
  1. 08:30
    Estes Park Start· start
  3. 11:30
    Alpine
  5. 15:00
    Grand Lake
  7. 18:00
    Hot Sulphur Springs· overnight
Alpine Eats
  • Sagebrush BBQ · Classic mountain BBQ in Grand Lake.
Mountain Costs
Gas
$30
Camping
$25
DAY07

Springs Departure → Glenwood Springs

Overnight in Glenwood Springs
  1. 09:00
    Springs Departure· start
  3. 12:00
    Dotsero
  5. 14:00
    Glenwood Canyon
  7. 17:00
    Glenwood Springs· overnight
Campsite · Glenwood Springs
Campsite details not verified yet
Canyon Bites
  • Slope & Hatch · Killer tacos and hot dogs in Glenwood.
Daily Budget
Gas
$40
Soak Fee
$30
DAY08

Glenwood Start → Moab

Overnight in Moab
  1. 08:30
    Glenwood Start· start
  3. 12:00
    Cisco Ghost Town
  5. 14:30
    Fisher Towers
  7. 17:30
    Moab· overnight
Campsite · Moab
Campsite details not verified yet
Moab Classics
  • Milt's Stop & Eat · Old school burgers and shakes. Moab legend.
Desert Budget
Gas
$50
Camping
$20
DAY09

Moab Base → Moab Camp

Overnight in Moab Camp
  1. 07:00
    Moab Base· start
  3. 09:00
    Delicate Arch
  5. 17:00
    Dead Horse Point
  7. 20:00
    Moab Camp· overnight
Campsite · Moab Camp
Campsite details not verified yet
Desert Fuel
  • Moab Coffee Roasters · Great brew and gelato for the desert heat.
  • Quesadilla Mobilla · Gourmet quesadillas from a food truck. Perfect.
Daily Spend
Park Entry
$30
Food
$40
DAY10

Moab Departure → Baker

Overnight in Baker
  1. 08:00
    Moab Departure· start
  3. 12:30
    Delta
  5. 16:00
    Great Basin NP
  7. 19:00
    Baker· overnight
Campsite · Baker
Campsite details not verified yet
Roadside Grub
  • Ashton's Burger Barn · Solid roadside burgers in Delta.
Dirtbag Savings
Gas
$60
Camping
$0
DAY11

Baker Start → Austin

Overnight in Austin
  1. 09:00
    Baker Start· start
  3. 11:00
    Ely
  5. 14:30
    Eureka
  7. 17:30
    Austin· overnight
Campsite · Austin
Campsite details not verified yet
Nevada Gems
  • Economy Drug · Old school soda fountain in Ely. Get a shake.
  • The International · Historic bar and grill in Austin. Very local.
Daily Budget
Gas
$55
Food
$35
DAY12

Austin Departure → South Lake Tahoe

Overnight in South Lake Tahoe
  1. 09:00
    Austin Departure· start
  3. 11:30
    Middlegate Station
  5. 15:00
    Carson City
  7. 17:30
    South Lake Tahoe· overnight
Campsite · South Lake Tahoe
Campsite details not verified yet
Desert Fuel
  • Middlegate Station · Home of the Monster Burger. You've been warned.
Expenses
Gas
$50
Camping
$25
DAY13

Tahoe Start → Tuolumne Meadows

Overnight in Tuolumne Meadows
  1. 08:30
    Tahoe Start· start
  3. 11:30
    Mono Lake
  5. 14:00
    Tioga Pass
  7. 16:00
    Tuolumne Meadows· overnight
Campsite · Tuolumne Meadows
Campsite details not verified yet
Sierra Eats
  • Whoa Nellie Deli · Inside a gas station, but world-class food. Seriously.
Daily Budget
Park Entry
$35
Gas
$45
DAY14

Tuolumne Start → North Pines Camp

  1. 08:00
    Tuolumne Start· start
  3. 09:30
    Olmsted Point
  5. 12:00
    Yosemite Valley
  7. 18:00
    North Pines Camp
Valley Bites
  • Degnan's Kitchen · Solid sandwiches and coffee in the Valley.
Park Costs
Food
$40
Camping
$30
Heads Up
  • Book Yosemite entry and camping months in advance
  • Tioga Pass is seasonal; check opening dates
  • Carry extra water and a spare tire for Nevada