Perfect Chicago to Mount Rushmore drive as I did it in 4 days! ⛰ Chicago Illinois to South Dakota road trip

Hi there!

So you want to go on a road trip from Chicago to Mount Rushmore National Memorial!

In September 2021, I did a road trip from Chicago to Mount Rushmore, and beyond.

Well actually it was from Michigan to Mount Rushmore.

But that included driving on the outskirts of Chicago on day 1… so that means I also did drive from Chicago to Mount Rushmore. 😜

So I can also give you some ideas on how to get to Mount Rushmore if you are starting from the Chicago area!

It took me 4 days to drive from Chicago to Mount Rushmore.

That is one way, from leaving the Chicago area to entering Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

No, it doesn’t have to take you 4 days to drive from Chicago to Mount Rushmore!

And in fact, my first overnight stop was in Wisconsin.

If you are starting the drive from Chicago, you probably won’t want to make your overnight stop until after you get out of Wisconsin, unless you’re getting started from Chicago late or something.

So you could say it was more like 3 days to get from Chicago to Mount Rushmore. Even so, it’s possible to make the drive in shorter time if you want.

How long is the drive from Chicago to Mount Rushmore?

Driving directly, it might take around 13.5 hours of driving time from Chicago to Mount Rushmore.

Explore the map.

I imagine that there are some people who would say it’s doable to drive from Chicago to Mount Rushmore in one day.

But I think for most people, you can think of it as taking at minimum 2 days to drive from Chicago to Mount Rushmore. That would be an average of 7 hours a day.

But there are also a couple of stops that you can make if you want to take it a little bit more slowly to get to Mount Rushmore.

Of course, there are many different ways that you can do this drive depending on your time and interests!

Below will show you one driving route to start to give you some ideas… the way I did it… if you want to break up the drive and spend more time along the way from Chicago to Mount Rushmore!

What is there to see between Chicago and Mount Rushmore?

Explore the map.

Minor stop: Glacial Drumlin State Trail (Wisconsin)

My first overnight stop was at the Sandhill Station Campground along the Glacial Drumlin State Trail. It was just a place to sleep. This is a Wisconsin state park campground.

This is located about 45 minutes east of Madison WI.

Chicago to Sandhill Station Campground is around a 2.5 hour drive. (map)

Chicago to Madison WI is also around a 2.5 hour drive. (map)

1. Palisades State Park

Palisades State Park is a small South Dakota state park that can make for a nice break-up point as you drive west along I-90 in South Dakota.

This is located in eastern South Dakota, and you’ll take the I-90 exit shortly after entering South Dakota from Minnesota.

All of the best places to visit in South Dakota are in western South Dakota, so this is something to do in eastern South Dakota along I-90.

There is the Palisades State Park campground.

There are also the Palisades State Park cabins. South Dakota state park camping cabins are simple (bring your own everything including bedding) but it’s a budget-friendly way to have a roof over your head!

Chicago to Palisades State Park is around an 8.5 hour drive. (map)

Palisades State Park to Mount Rushmore is around a 5.5 hour drive. (map)

See more about planning your Chicago to Mount Rushmore road trip:

• Palisades State Park camping cabins

2. Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park is the best national park in South Dakota.

The main thing to do is to drive along Badlands Loop Road.

Badlands Loop Road is THE road to drive in Badlands National Park. It’s the main road through the park.

This is also the road that has pretty much all of the popular viewpoints and popular hikes in Badlands National Park.

There are campgrounds in Badlands National Park.

The Cedar Pass Campground is the more convenient Badlands campground because it is located almost directly off of the Badlands Loop Road. 

While the Cedar Pass Campground is the most convenient, you may also want to go camping in Badlands National Park in the more remote area of the park too.

That’s where you will find the free Sage Creek campground where you have a very good chance of seeing prairie dogs.

And you also have a chance at seeing buffalo walking right past your tent!

If you are not camping, then driving towards this remote Sage Creek area will also give you a chance to see prairie dogs and buffalo.

When you are in Badlands National Park, you also have a chance to see bighorn sheep too! For that, you have a chance to see them just by driving the main area of Badlands Loop Road.

Chicago to Badlands National Park is around a 12 hour drive. (map)

Badlands National Park to Mount Rushmore is around a 1.5 hour drive. (map)

See more about planning your Chicago to Mount Rushmore road trip:

• Things to do in Badlands National Park for views!
• Camping in Badlands National Park (with buffalo and prairie dogs!)
• Where to see bighorn sheep in Badlands National Park

⛰

3. Wall Drug

Wall Drug is a complete tourist attraction.

As you are driving along I-90 in South Dakota, you will see a TON of signs for Wall Drug.

There are really just THAT many that it will have you thinking… what is this Wall Drug?!?!

Well, personally I think it’s skippable.

And in fact, I did skip it the first time I went to South Dakota.

But the second time, it was a different driving route (the one here), and those I-90 Wall Drug billboards got me! (The previous driving route was by going to the North Dakota national park first.)

Wall Drug is kind of an all-American road trip story, and you are on a road trip yourself, so… you might want to be a part of it and stop by!

I did an overnight at a hotel in Wall SD. (Super 8 by Wyndham Wall – reviews)

Chicago to Wall SD is around a 12.5 hour drive. (map)

Wall SD to Mount Rushmore is around a 1.5 hour drive. (map)

See more about planning your Chicago to Mount Rushmore road trip:

• What is up with Wall Drug?

4. Iron Mountain Road tunnels

Iron Mountain Road is in Black Hills National Forest.

This is one of the popular scenic drives in South Dakota.

If Mount Rushmore is the your main destination, then that means you want to make the most of all things Mount Rushmore!

So then, this will be worth it to make it your welcome to Mount Rushmore!

The big reason to do this drive is so you can have a chance to drive through the Iron Mountain Road tunnels, and see Mount Rushmore AS you are driving through the tunnel!

Now, this is a pretty distant view of Mount Rushmore, but it’s a unique view.

Coming from Wall SD (and you will also pass through Rapid City SD), this will be add on 45 minutes to 1 hour of driving time… IF you want to drive it in the best direction!

Now, you can actually do this without adding an hour of driving time.

But the best direction to drive Iron Mountain Road for the purposes of seeing the best tunnel view of Mount Rushmore is south to north.

Now, yes you can drive from north to south and then turn around and see the same thing if you want!

But for the most dramatic approach to Mount Rushmore, so Mount Rushmore can continue to get bigger and bigger as you get closer and closer, you can make it a drive from south to north! You’ll want to be sure to specifically route your map if you want to do it this way. (map)

See more about planning your Chicago to Mount Rushmore road trip:

• Best Iron Mountain Road tunnel view of Mount Rushmore

5. Mount Rushmore National Memorial

And you’ve made it to Mount Rushmore!

If you want to stay for a night or 2 near Mount Rushmore, there are a few hotels near Mount Rushmore in Keystone SD.

The big city near Mount Rushmore is Rapid City SD, and this is around 30 minutes away.

Mount Rushmore is in the famous Black Hills of South Dakota.

See more about planning your Chicago to Mount Rushmore road trip:

• Things to do in Mount Rushmore National Memorial
• Things to do in the Black Hills

More in the Black Hills

If you will be staying around the Mount Rushmore area for a few days, you might also be interested in going to Custer State Park. This is possibly the best state park in South Dakota.

You can even stay in Custer State Park.

There are camping cabins in Custer State Park, along with other more “luxury” lodging options.

The Black Hills area is also where you will find Wind Cave National Park and Jewel Cave National Monument.

See more about planning your Chicago to Mount Rushmore road trip:

• Things to do in the Black Hills for views
• Things to do in Custer State Park
• Custer State Park camping cabins

Download offline maps before you go!

It’s quite possible that you will have minimal data in some places as you are driving to Mount Rushmore.

It will be best to download offline google maps before you go!

And that’s one way you can drive from Chicago to Mount Rushmore!

And, after Mount Rushmore, maybe you want to keep heading west to Wyoming to go to Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park!

Or, after Mount Rushmore maybe you want to loop back around and make the return trip to the east with a detour through North Dakota to go to another national park! (map) In which case…

• Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Or, you can drive the southern route back to Chicago. Take a detour to Toadstool Geologic Park in the Nebraska Badlands that is part of Oglala National Grassland!

More for your Chicago to Mount Rushmore road trip planning, and beyond:

• Things to do in Badlands National Park
• Things to do in Mount Rushmore National Memorial
• Things to do in the Black Hills for views
• Driving from Mount Rushmore to Devils Tower
• Things to do in Devils Tower National Monument
• Driving from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone National Park
• Best things to do in Yellowstone National Park
• Driving from Mount Rushmore to Grand Teton National Park
• Best things to do in Grand Teton National Park

PLUS: A separate summer road trip for you closer to home: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

I drove through Chicago and Mount Rushmore in September 2021. Your experience may vary!

HAPPY DRIVING TO MOUNT RUSHMORE FROM CHICAGO!