The Great Continental Drift: Fer
The flights are essential to avoid the repetitive 1,500km of prairie/cornfields in the middle, giving you more time for the National Parks and Southern culture.
Fernie → Whitefish → Bozeman → Yellowstone → Jackson → Casper → Rapid City → Pierre ✈️ Denver ✈️ Nashville → Memphis → Vicksburg → New Orleans
Mountain Goodbye
Start the engine in this classic ski town. Grab a coffee at a local roaster before heading south to the border.
Fernie
Start the engine in this classic ski town. Grab a coffee at a local roaster before heading south to the border. [ -115.0645, 49.5077]
Kalispell
After clearing the Roosville border, stop here for a tax-free lunch. It’s the gateway to Glacier National Park and has that classic Montana mountain-town energy.
Whitefish
End your first day in this vibrant resort town. Stroll the Central Avenue shops and grab a huckleberry-flavored treat. [-114.3353, 48.4111]
Big Sky Country
Head southeast through the Flathead Valley. The drive along the eastern shore of Flathead Lake is stunning.
Whitefish
Head southeast through the Flathead Valley. The drive along the eastern shore of Flathead Lake is stunning.
Missoula
A perfect midday stop. Visit the Hip Strip for quirky shops and great local breweries.
Bozeman
This is "The New West." It’s a bustling college town with a world-class paleontology museum (Museum of the Rockies) if you arrive early enough.
Geysers & Grandeur
Head south through the Gallatin Canyon—the scenery from A River Runs Through It.
Bozeman
Head south through the Gallatin Canyon—the scenery from A River Runs Through It. [-111.0391, 45.6770]
Mammoth Hot Springs
Enter Yellowstone and see the travertine terraces that look like a frozen, melting cave.
Old Faithful
You can't miss the classic. Check the eruption schedule and walk the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalks while you wait. [-110.8281, 44.4605]
The Tetons
Drive south past Lewis Lake and leave Yellowstone behind.
Old Faithful
Drive south past Lewis Lake and leave Yellowstone behind. [-110.8281, 44.4605]
Jenny Lake
In Grand Teton National Park, take the boat across the lake or just soak in the views of the Cathedral Group peaks reflecting in the water.
Jackson
The famous elk antler arches in the town square mark the end of your day. Great spot for a steak dinner. [-110.7624, 43.4799]
The High Plains
Say goodbye to the mountains as you head into the wide-open spaces of Wyoming.
Jackson
Say goodbye to the mountains as you head into the wide-open spaces of Wyoming.
Rock Springs
A classic high-desert stop for fuel and food. The landscape starts to feel truly vast here.
Casper
An old oil town with a great river walk along the North Platte. It’s a quiet spot to recharge before the long haul east.
To the Black Hills
Cross the state line into South Dakota.
Casper
Cross the state line into South Dakota.
Mount Rushmore
It’s smaller in person than you think, but the engineering is incredible. Take the Presidential Trail walk.
Rapid City
Known as the City of Presidents (look for the statues on every corner). A great base for exploring the Black Hills.
Badlands & Wall Drug
Head east. Your first stop is the legendary Wall Drug for free ice water and a 5-cent coffee.
Rapid City
Head east. Your first stop is the legendary Wall Drug for free ice water and a 5-cent coffee. [-103.2310, 44.0805]
Badlands National Park
Drive the Loop Road (Hwy 240). The lunar landscape is a sharp contrast to the green mountains of Fernie.
Pierre
The tiny, charming capital of South Dakota, sitting right on the Missouri River. [-100.3510, 44.3683]
The Prairie Fly-over (✈️ Fly to Denver)
09:00 Pierre: Drop the car at the regional hub. ✈️ Fly to Denver to skip the flat 10-hour cornfield drive and maximize your time in the South.
Pierre
Drop the car at the regional hub. ✈️ Fly to Denver to skip the flat 10-hour cornfield drive and maximize your time in the South.
Denver International Airport
Pick up your second rental. 30-45 mins for logistics.
Denver Lower Downtown (LoDo)
Check into your hotel and head to Union Station for dinner. The atmosphere in this restored rail hub is electric.
The Mile High City
A short drive out of the city to see the world’s most beautiful natural amphitheater.
Red Rocks Park
A short drive out of the city to see the world’s most beautiful natural amphitheater.
RiNo District
Explore the street art and food halls in the River North Art District.
Denver
Catch a sunset with a view of the Rockies you just crossed.
Kansas Crossing (✈️ Fly to Nashville)
Head back to DIA. ✈️ Fly to Nashville to jump into the heart of the South.
Denver
Head back to DIA. ✈️ Fly to Nashville to jump into the heart of the South.
Nashville International Airport
Arrival and car pickup.
Broadway
Head straight to the "Honky Tonk Highway." Even if you aren't a country fan, the live music talent in every bar is mind-blowing.
Music City to Blues City
Grab a hot chicken breakfast before hitting the I-40 West.
Nashville
Grab a hot chicken breakfast before hitting the I-40 West. [-86.7816, 36.1627]
Graceland
Visit the home of Elvis Presley. It’s a kitschy, emotional, and fascinating time capsule.
Memphis
Head to Beale Street for some dry-rub ribs and live blues. Don't forget to see the ducks at the Peabody Hotel. [-90.0490, 35.1495]
The Delta Run
Drive south into the Mississippi Delta, the birthplace of the Blues.
Memphis
Drive south into the Mississippi Delta, the birthplace of the Blues. [-90.0490, 35.1495]
Clarksdale
Visit the "Crossroads" where Robert Johnson supposedly sold his soul.
Vicksburg
Set on a high bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. The National Military Park here is hauntingly beautiful at sunset. [-90.8777, 32.3509]
Plantations & Pelicans
Follow the river south.
Vicksburg
Follow the river south.
Natchez
Known for its perfectly preserved antebellum mansions. Grab lunch at a tavern under the hill.
New Orleans
You’ve made it. Cross the Pontchartrain Causeway (the world's longest bridge over water) into the Crescent City.
The Big Easy
Wake up with beignets at Café Du Monde. Walk through Jackson Square and the French Market.
French Quarter
Wake up with beignets at Café Du Monde. Walk through Jackson Square and the French Market. [-90.0644, 29.9574]
Garden District
Take the St. Charles Streetcar to see the Lafayette Cemetery and the stunning oak-lined mansions.
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
Return your car and head to the gate, likely carrying a souvenir mask and some Cajun spices. [-90.2580, 29.9911]
- The flights are essential to avoid the repetitive 1,500km of prairie/cornfields in the middle, giving you more time for the National Parks and Southern culture.
- Day 14: last stop 20:00 — leave earlier or drop a stop
- 🛫 Route includes 4 flight + 0 rail segments. Map shows them as dashed lines (connection only, not real road).