Denver, CO ➜ Sandston, VA – 3‑Day Road Trip

Day 1: Denver → Scotts Bluff (≈ 480 mi, 7½ h)

Morning: Depart Denver early and head east on I‑70 before merging onto I‑76 toward Fort Morgan. Stop for a quick coffee and stretch at the historic Fort Morgan Historic Site, then continue through the rolling plains of eastern Colorado.

Afternoon: Cross into Wyoming and visit the Fort Laramie National Historic Site, where you can explore the 19th‑century frontier fort. After lunch, drive through the dramatic scenery of the Chugwater Formation before reaching the iconic Scotts Bluff National Monument in Nebraska.

Evening: Check in to the Scotts Bluff Motel for the night. Enjoy a relaxed dinner at a local eatery and watch the sunset illuminate the towering bluffs.

Day 2: Scotts Bluff → Sioux Falls (≈ 550 mi, 8 h)

Morning: After breakfast, head east on I‑80 toward the Badlands National Park. Take a short detour to the park’s scenic overlooks for breathtaking vistas of rugged canyons and wildlife.

Afternoon: Continue across South Dakota, stopping at the historic Wall Drug Store for a quirky souvenir and quick bite. Arrive in Sioux Falls in the late afternoon and explore the beautiful Falls Park with its illuminated waterfalls.

Evening: Check into the Sioux Falls Comfort Inn for your second night. Dine at a downtown restaurant and take an evening stroll along the Big Sioux River.

Day 3: Sioux Falls → Sandston, VA (≈ 1,200 mi, 18 h total; split with stops)

Morning: Depart early and drive through Minnesota, making a brief stop at the Mill City Museum in Minneapolis for a coffee and quick history fix.

Afternoon: Continue east across Wisconsin and Illinois, pausing at the vibrant Chicago Riverwalk for lunch and a photo opportunity with the skyline.

Evening: Push onward through Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, arriving in Sandston, VA late at night. Check into your final lodging (e.g., Sandston Inn) and unwind after a rewarding journey.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Fort Laramie National Historic Site – 1 hour, $12 entrance fee
• Scotts Bluff National Monument – 2 hours, $10 entrance fee
• Badlands National Park – 2 hours, $30 vehicle fee
• Falls Park (Sioux Falls) – 1 hour, free
• Mill City Museum – 1 hour, $12 admission
• Chicago Riverwalk – 1 hour, free (optional boat ride $20)
• Motels (2 nights) – 2 nights, approx. $130/night = $260
• Fuel (≈ 1,250 mi @ 25 mpg, $3.80/gal) – ≈ 190 gal, $722
• Meals (3 days, 3 meals/day) – $45/day = $135
• Miscellaneous (snacks, tolls) – $80
• Total Estimated Cost: $1,381

Tips

If you’d like to extend the adventure, consider adding an extra day to explore the Black Hills and visit Mount Rushmore before heading east. To shorten the trip, you could skip the Badlands detour and drive straight from Scotts Bluff to Sioux Falls, reducing the overall mileage by about 150 mi and saving both time and fuel.