Rapid City to Billings - US212 or I-90?

I always prefer the backroads verses Interstates, so US212 would be my personal choice.

Quote: "which route is more scenic"?
Both have the same scenery. Once you start driving... get used to it; it don't change much.

But do take a few moments to stop and see the smaller towns; out some cash into their economy. I really like off-the-beaten-path places.

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Headed from Badlands to Billings, which route is more scenic, US 212 or I-90?

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stay off the interstate when you can. You never know what you’ll come across as you go thru the small towns

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We drove from Rapid City to Billings about 5 years ago. We started on I 90 but stopped at the welcome center in WY. The worker there recommended going north about 10 miles to get on hwy 24 at Aladdin, WY. She was from Aladdin.

From Aladdin we took Hwy 24 to Hulett, WY and then took hwy 112 to hwy 212 toward Crow Agency; that’s where 212 intersects I-90 about an hour east of Billings.

If you go through Aladdin stop at the oldest general store in WY and look around and chat with the ladies that work there.

West of Aladdin there are great views from Hwy 24 of Devils Tower National Monument.

Little Big Horn is at the junction of Hwy 212 & I -90. That’s a good stop if that history interest you. When we were there they were open till 8 pm but COVID may have changed that.

Have not driven I 90 from RC to Billings so can’t compare the two but we enjoyed the drive on the 2 lane roads and the speed limit is almost as high as the interstate. Just be sure you have a full tank as there are not many gas stations on 212.