The Adventure Begins
Every great road trip starts with a sense of anticipation and a fully packed car that’s just a little too full. This first leg of our journey to Yellowstone National Park was all about the open road, exploring quirky roadside attractions, and finding hidden gems across the heartland.
We planned the trip with the help of the Roadtrippers app, which made it easy to map realistic driving distances and fun stops along the way. Over the course of four days, we crossed Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota, taking in a mix of big green tractors, prairie history, and one very famous roadside stop before reaching the Black Hills.
Day 1: Home to Waterloo, Iowa
Overnight: Baymont by Wyndham Waterloo
The first morning of any road trip is always the most exciting, and the most ambitious. We hit the road early, fueled by coffee, playlists, and road snacks, ready for a full day of driving west.
Our first few stops on this journey were planned with a specific theme in mind: John Deere. My oldest son has loved all things heavy equipment and farm related for as long as I can remember. That fascination grew from toy tractors and model machines into a genuine career path. He now works as a diesel mechanic and heavy equipment operator, a job he truly loves. Starting our Yellowstone adventure surrounded by the kind of machinery that first inspired him felt like the perfect way to kick things off.
John Deere World Headquarters – Moline, Illinois
Our first major stop brought us to the John Deere World Headquarters. Even if you aren’t a tractor enthusiast, this is a fascinating place to visit. Massive pieces of machinery are displayed like sculptures, surrounded by sleek architecture and park-like grounds. It’s one of those stops that gives you a real appreciation for American industry and innovation. Unfortunately, there were still some restrictions due to COVID winding down and only employees were allowed inside the offices. We must have looked funny with our noses pressed up to the windows to get a glimpse of the awesome equipment they had on display in the atrium of the main building.
John Deere Store
Just down the road, we stopped at the John Deere Store, because after seeing all those machines up close, you can’t help but walk away with a hat, mug, or toy tractor. It’s an easy, quick stop that pairs perfectly with the headquarters visit. Next to the store is a place called the John Deere Pavilion. The Pavilion was under renovation when we were there so we were unable to check it out. From what I could tell looking in the windows, it would have been a fabulous spot to visit.
Iowa 80 Truck Stop – Walcott, Iowa
Next up: a true roadside legend. The Iowa 80 Truck Stop bills itself as the world’s largest, and it delivers on that promise. There’s a museum, restaurants, shops, and even a barbershop inside. It’s a perfect mid-drive break to stretch your legs, grab a snack, and take in a little trucking Americana. This was a 30 minute quick stop but could have been longer if it had been a mealtime and we stayed to eat.
After a long day of driving, we finally reached Waterloo, Iowa and checked into the Baymont by Wyndham. A good meal and a soft bed were the perfect reward for the miles behind us.
Day 1 Summary
Miles driven: ~510 miles
Hotel rating: 4/10 – The Baymont by Wyndham Waterloo was not great but there aren’t a lot of options in Waterloo. The two-bed setup made it clear we needed to rethink room arrangements for the rest of the trip.
Day 2: A Deere Day in Waterloo
Overnight: Baymont by Wyndham Waterloo
After the long haul of Day 1, we kept things local for Day 2 and explored Waterloo’s claim to fame: the birthplace of many of John Deere’s tractors.
John Deere Tractor and Engine Museum
Located on the grounds of an active manufacturing facility, this museum was a hit. It’s part history lesson, part mechanical wonderland. Exhibits walk you through the evolution of John Deere engines and tractors, with beautifully restored models and hands-on displays. Even if you’re not into farming, it’s hard not to appreciate the engineering and heritage on display. A must-see for any John Deere fan.
We spent the morning there, then enjoyed a slower-paced afternoon around town before turning in early to prepare for another big driving day ahead.
Day 2 Summary
Miles driven: Minimal local driving around Waterloo (~10 miles total)
Hotel rating: 4/10 – A second night at the Baymont worked fine for our shorter, local sightseeing day, and being close to the John Deere Museum made it easy to relax and recharge.
Day 3: Waterloo, Iowa to Marshall, Minnesota
Overnight: AmericInn by Wyndham Marshall
Day 3 took us deeper into the Midwest and into the land of the pioneers. It was one of those perfect days for a road trip play list, some snacks, and open highway.
My wife is a lifelong Laura Ingalls Wilder fan, so this part of the trip was one she had been looking forward to. Over the years, we’ve made a point of visiting several places tied to Laura’s life, from Pepin, Wisconsin, where she was born, to De Smet, South Dakota, where she and her husband, Almanzo, built their home. Seeing another stop on that trail felt like reconnecting with an old story we’ve followed across the Midwest.
Sod House on the Prairie
First stop: the Sod House on the Prairie. Built to replicate early settler homes, this stop is equal parts history and humility. Standing inside walls made of earth and grass gives you an entirely new perspective on the challenges early homesteaders faced. This was one of those off-the-beaten-path stops that turned out to be a gem. There was hardly any crowd here and there was a nice older lady that I think lived on the property. You put your admission in a coffee can and were free to explore.
Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum – Walnut Grove, Minnesota
Just a short drive away, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum offered a wonderful dose of nostalgia. For anyone who grew up with the Little House on the Prairie books or TV series, this stop is a must-see. The exhibits and artifacts bring the Ingalls family’s story to life, and it’s easy to picture the vast prairie stretching out just as it did in Laura’s time. A little farther down the road, we visited the site of the original dugout where the Ingalls family first lived when they arrived in Walnut Grove, a simple but powerful reminder of their pioneering spirit.
We finished the evening with a short drive to Marshall and checked into the AmericInn. With three states now under our belt, we were officially in full road-trip rhythm.
Day 3 Summary
Miles driven: ~315 miles
Hotel rating: 7/10 – The AmericInn by Wyndham Marshall was a solid stopover with friendly staff and comfortable beds, a good fit after a long day on the road. Due to my poorly planned sleeping arrangements, we still felt on top of each other however the room was a bit larger and much better cared for than the room the previous two nights.
💡 Travel Lesson Learned: Two Queen Beds, Four Adults, and One Big Mistake
When I was growing up, our family of five traveled everywhere in a single hotel room with two queen beds. My parents claimed one, two of us children shared the other, and whoever drew the short straw slept on the floor, or, on a lucky night, a squeaky rollaway cot that barely fit in the room. So, when planning this trip, I figured we’d do the same. Two queen beds, one room. Simple, right? Well, it turns out that what worked for a family of kids in the 1980s doesn’t fly when your “kids” are now full-sized adults, and your wife has zero interest in experiencing cramped quarters and lack of privacy I “enjoyed” during my childhood. After the first couple nights’ grumbles (and not just from the beds), I realized my mistake. Between elbows, snoring, and a collective lack of personal space, it was clear we needed more room, literally. I spent part of the trip rebooking hotels, upgrading to suites, or grabbing an extra room where possible. It was a mid-trip scramble, but totally worth it. Everyone slept better, and morale improved instantly.
Lesson learned: Once your kids are grown, plan lodging for adults, not for nostalgia.
Day 4: Marshall, Minnesota to Keystone, South Dakota
Overnight: Rushmore Express & Suites Keystone/Mt. Rushmore
The day began with excitement, our final push before reaching the Black Hills. This would be a long but rewarding day, packed with classic roadside stops.
The Corn Palace – Mitchell, South Dakota
Our next stop took us a little off the main route to see the famous Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota. It’s one of those icons of Americana, right up there with the Giant Ball of Twine and Carhenge. I’d seen pictures of the elaborate corn murals and thought it would make a fun detour (plus, it was time for lunch anyway). To be fair, the exterior is impressive. Each year’s design is completely new, created entirely from corn, grains, and native grasses. But once we stepped inside, the magic faded quickly. Between the crowds, souvenir stands, and general chaos, it felt more like a box to check than a must-see attraction. In hindsight, I should’ve trusted my instincts and admired it from the comfort of I-90.
South Dakota Tractor Museum – Kimball, South Dakota
Another great find, one I have to credit to the Roadtrippers app, was the South Dakota Tractor Museum. It felt like a perfect continuation of our John Deere theme, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable stops of the trip. This roadside gem features everything from vintage farm machinery to quirky local memorabilia, the kind of collection that defines small-town America.
The museum is clearly a labor of love, run by locals, mostly retirees, who take immense pride in preserving the area’s agricultural history. Their displays of tractors, trucks, tools, and equipment are impressive, but it was the stories that made the visit special. We spent time chatting with the docents, some of whom had firsthand experience with the very machines on display. In the end, I found more value in this humble, heartfelt stop than in several of the bigger, more polished attractions we visited. Admission is free, but there’s a donation jar by the door, and I was more than happy to contribute. I’d go back in a heartbeat.
Wall Drug – Wall, South Dakota
As a younger adult, I took a trip much like this one with my parents, and there’s one stop I’ll never forget, arguably the biggest tourist trap in the heartland. After hundreds of billboards teasing it along the interstate, we finally rolled into Wall Drug, a true road trip legend. Part gift shop, part old-west town, part diner, it’s delightfully over the top in all the best (and most chaotic) ways.
It was too hot to sample the famous 5¢ coffee, and we didn’t manage to grab any of the ‘Free!’ ice water, but we did snap a few photos and soak it all in. One of us even bought a ten-gallon hat for good measure. The place was an absolute zoo, packed with tourists, just as I remembered. Watching my kids experience that same joyful madness for the first time was a full-circle moment I didn’t know I needed.
After surviving Wall Drug, we made the final drive to Keystone, our home base for exploring Mount Rushmore the next morning.
Day 4 Summary
Miles driven: ~365 miles
Hotel rating: 9/10 – Rushmore Express & Suites Keystone was all about space. After the previous three nights packed in a room some of us were at our wits end. I stayed up late the night before and booked this hotel’s executive suite. It had a boardroom table and a fireplace as well as separate bedrooms! It was a much needed reprieve from the overcrowded rooms we had been living in.
Looking Ahead
Four days, three states, and more tractors than we expected, but that’s part of the fun. This first stretch of the journey gave us a perfect mix of roadside Americana and heartland hospitality.
Next up in Yellowstone or Bust!, we finally cross into Wyoming and enter the park itself. Stay tuned for Part 2 – From Presidents to Park Gates.
👉What’s your most gloriously bad roadside stop, the one you still laugh about every time someone mentions it? Let us know in the comments, so we can make the same mistake.
Great memories!