This.

But get off 20 once you are in Nebraska and take Nebraska Highway 12 into Valentine.

 

Take 2 lanes out, no highway option. Prairie du Chien is a scenic River Town.

I usually take 2 lanes out, interstate back. No highway or tolls route option.

 

I appreciate all of the ideas. You have given me some road options that I had not considered. You touched on what I feared and that is roads where there is nothing to see but black asphalt ahead of you. And the smell, yeah..the wife would make me turn around and go back home.

A special thanks for taking the time to map out the road for me. I truly appreciate that guys.

 

This probably will be of no help to you as I was coming from the S.E., however, I do remember 26nw out of Ogallala Nebraska to 385n all the way into Lead was a nice ride.... If you find yourself in that area.

 

i live in Iowa and I would avoid it if I could.

 

I avoid Nebraska like the plague, cause I don't wear a helmet. But even if I did I would not go that way. I prefer to take 90. If you don't take 90 you will miss the Corn Palace, the river in Chamberlain, 1880 town, and the start of the badlands. I enjoy that route, it's a hell of a lot better that I-80, which is about the busiest semi road in the country. Coming from Chicago, I would go to the Quad Cities, then take the great river road all the way to Lacrosse, where you can hit 90. If I wasn't in a huge hurry, I'd take 14 to Winona and ride that Mankato, then New Ulm, and take 14 all the way to Brookings SD, or head south at an angle on Highway 60 from Mankato to I-90.

If I was in a super hurry, I'd take 80 to Iowa City, 380 to Waterloo, then the Avenue of the Saints to I-35 then north to 90. That's 4 lane the whole way.

 

Iowa is the butthole of the world.

 

I've taken I-90 across South Dakota more times than I can remember and I see something different every trip. I especially like it around Rally time, just being part of so many bikes heading west. As far as the smells, wild flowers, corn fields and hay fields, I love it. Hog farms, cattle lots or dead deer, haven't killed me yet.

 

An option: go thru WI until you can pick up Hwy 212 in MN thru SD. Nice stretch of road, more scenic than I-90, and yes, bike friendly. If you want to avoid MPLS, look for Hwy 8 thru WI to Hwy 95 and Hwy 23 MN.
Chances are better than average that you will meet up with maybe 1 or 2 other riders any way you go.
Although, if it's all about the journey and time allows, Hwy 2 thru WI and MN is gorgeous. Heck take an extra day or 3 and pick up Hwy 2 from the North side of the Mackinac Bridge.

 

this route is fantastic, i work in st paul and when i ride from work, this is the route. pickup 212 in MN all the way to outside wall SD.