A remarkably long east-west highway connecting New England, Great Lakes country, prairie, Yellowstone country, and the Pacific Northwest.
Why take this road?
U.S. 20 offers a cross-section of the country without requiring one fixed historical narrative. It passes cities, farm towns, lake country, plains, mountain gateways, and volcanic landscapes.
Signature chapters of the journey
- New England and upstate New York townscapes
- Great Lakes and Midwest agricultural corridors
- Iowa and Nebraska prairie
- Wyoming approaches to Yellowstone
- Idaho high country
- Oregon desert, Cascades, and Pacific ending
Roadside memory
Old tourist cabins, diners, state-line signs, small museums, drive-ins, and bypassed main streets make U.S. 20 a strong route for discovering ordinary roadside America.
RV planning note
Some western segments cross remote or high-elevation country. Yellowstone-area routes, winter closures, and mountain grades require current checks.
Before departure: verify current closures, construction, wildfire or weather conditions, campground availability, vehicle restrictions, tolls, ferry rules, and attraction hours with the responsible agencies and operators.
Why U.S. Route 20 earns more than a quick pass
The scenery and character
U.S. 20 crosses an unusually broad collection of landscapes: New England hills, Great Lakes country, agricultural plains, prairie, Yellowstone gateways, mountain valleys, high desert, Cascades, and the Pacific Northwest. It is a route for noticing gradual change.
The historical lens
The road links old settlement patterns, canal and railroad towns, farm communities, western expansion corridors, national-park gateways, and later automobile businesses. Its strength is not one single story but the way many regional stories meet along one line.
Good reasons to choose it
- Travelers who enjoy a long east-west narrative with different landscapes every few days.
- Families or couples who want to combine major destinations with ordinary towns and local museums.
- RV travelers who value flexibility but are prepared for remote western stretches and mountain weather.
How to make it memorable
- Use the Great Lakes and Midwest sections for town history, then shift the emphasis to geology and wildlife in the West.
- Make Yellowstone-area planning a separate chapter with reservations and seasonal closures checked early.
- Keep a flexible mileage plan because weather and scenic detours can change the best overnight location.