Chicago to Portland

Exploring the Great American North: A Motorhome Road Trip from Chicago to Portland

If you're dreaming about wide skies, golden fields, bubbling geysers, rugged canyons, and vibrant cities wrapped in Americana charm, then a motorhome road trip from Chicago to Portland might just be your perfect adventure. This 22-day journey through the Corn Belt, the Dakotas, Yellowstone, and the lush Pacific Northwest is ideal for families, couples, or friends hitting the open road in an RV, campervan, or motorhome.

From the bustle of Chicago, where we began with a walk along the lakefront and a visit to the Field Museum, we quickly traded skyscrapers for silos, and city lights for starry skies. Our camper route planner took us north through Wisconsin, where the Milwaukee Art Museum and the bustling Public Market gave us a delicious taste of urban culture and craft food. If you’re traveling with kids, the National Mustard Museum is a quirky stop that delivers more fun than you'd expect.

Heading into Minnesota, we found a perfect mix of natural beauty and big attractions. The Amish Tours of Harmony offered a peaceful window into simpler times, while the enormous Mall of America® was a playground for all ages, featuring roller coasters, shopping, and food galore.

As the road curved into North Dakota, we crossed into what’s often called the Unchurched Belt, a region of the U.S. known for open landscapes and progressive leanings. Here, we slowed down to appreciate local history at Bonanzaville USA and the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum. Don’t miss the Red River Zoo for a charming family afternoon.

One of the most scenic stretches of this journey runs through Medora, home to the Scenic Loop Drive in Theodore Roosevelt National Park and horseback rides at Medora Riding Stables. The sweeping views and wild bison sightings here are unforgettable.

The route planner led us west into Montana, where flower-filled stops like DanWalt Gardens gave us a break from the road. But the real heart of Montana beats in Cody, home of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West—a must for history lovers.

Soon after, the trip crescendoed into Yellowstone National Park, one of the most iconic landscapes in the United States. We planned multiple days here to soak in geothermal wonders like Old Faithful, Firehole Canyon Road, and the bubbling beauty of the West Thumb Geyser Basin. If you’re wondering how to plan a motorhome trip in the USA, this is where having a solid road trip planning strategy pays off. Yellowstone has designated RV sites, but they book up quickly—so use a reliable camper route planner and book in advance.

From Wyoming we rolled into Idaho, where the surprise highlight was Yellowstone Bear World—a drive-thru wildlife experience that delights travelers of all ages. Our route planner also pointed us toward Blue Heart Kayaking for a refreshing paddle on calm waters, and The Caldwell Train Depot for a dose of vintage Americana.

As the journey reached its final days, we explored the Oregon Trail at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center and connected with Indigenous culture at the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute. These stops grounded our trip in deeper context, showing how routes like ours trace not just highways, but centuries of stories.

Winding through the Columbia River Gorge, we had a blast zipping through trees with Skamania Lodge Adventures, found great deals at Columbia Gorge Outlets, and wrapped our trip with a fun day at Oaks Amusement Park in Portland.

Tips for RV Travel from Chicago to Portland

• Route Planner: Use a dedicated camper route planner to estimate drive times, fuel stops, and campground availability. Apps like Roadtrippers and RV Life are highly recommended.

• RV & Campervan Rental: Whether you're in a full-size motorhome or a compact campervan, make sure your vehicle is well-equipped for changing weather and mountain routes.

• National Park Stays: Book well ahead if you want to stay inside Yellowstone. Private RV parks nearby can be a good backup.

• Pack for All Climates: From humid lakeshores to chilly mountain nights, you'll experience a wide range of weather. Layering is key.

• Foodie Stops: From Stella's Bar & Grill in Nebraska to Portland’s food truck scene, the trip is packed with delicious regional bites.

This epic RV journey connects the Corn Belt, the Rockies, and the Pacific Northwest, revealing the many faces of America. It’s a road trip rich with discovery, perfect for those who believe that the best vacations are measured not in miles, but in memories.

Exploring the Great American North: A Motorhome Road Trip from Chicago to Portland

If you're dreaming about wide skies, golden fields, bubbling geysers, rugged canyons, and vibrant cities wrapped in Americana charm, then a motorhome road trip from Chicago to Portland might just be your perfect adventure. This 22-day journey through the Corn Belt, the Dakotas, Yellowstone, and the lush Pacific Northwest is ideal for families, couples, or friends hitting the open road in an RV, campervan, or motorhome.

From the bustle of Chicago, where we began with a walk along the lakefront and a visit to the Field Museum, we quickly traded skyscrapers for silos, and city lights for starry skies. Our camper route planner took us north through Wisconsin, where the Milwaukee Art Museum and the bustling Public Market gave us a delicious taste of urban culture and craft food. If you’re traveling with kids, the National Mustard Museum is a quirky stop that delivers more fun than you'd expect.

Heading into Minnesota, we found a perfect mix of natural beauty and big attractions. The Amish Tours of Harmony offered a peaceful window into simpler times, while the enormous Mall of America® was a playground for all ages, featuring roller coasters, shopping, and food galore.

As the road curved into North Dakota, we crossed into what’s often called the Unchurched Belt, a region of the U.S. known for open landscapes and progressive leanings. Here, we slowed down to appreciate local history at Bonanzaville USA and the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum. Don’t miss the Red River Zoo for a charming family afternoon.

One of the most scenic stretches of this journey runs through Medora, home to the Scenic Loop Drive in Theodore Roosevelt National Park and horseback rides at Medora Riding Stables. The sweeping views and wild bison sightings here are unforgettable.

The route planner led us west into Montana, where flower-filled stops like DanWalt Gardens gave us a break from the road. But the real heart of Montana beats in Cody, home of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West—a must for history lovers.

Soon after, the trip crescendoed into Yellowstone National Park, one of the most iconic landscapes in the United States. We planned multiple days here to soak in geothermal wonders like Old Faithful, Firehole Canyon Road, and the bubbling beauty of the West Thumb Geyser Basin. If you’re wondering how to plan a motorhome trip in the USA, this is where having a solid road trip planning strategy pays off. Yellowstone has designated RV sites, but they book up quickly—so use a reliable camper route planner and book in advance.

From Wyoming we rolled into Idaho, where the surprise highlight was Yellowstone Bear World—a drive-thru wildlife experience that delights travelers of all ages. Our route planner also pointed us toward Blue Heart Kayaking for a refreshing paddle on calm waters, and The Caldwell Train Depot for a dose of vintage Americana.

As the journey reached its final days, we explored the Oregon Trail at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center and connected with Indigenous culture at the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute. These stops grounded our trip in deeper context, showing how routes like ours trace not just highways, but centuries of stories.

Winding through the Columbia River Gorge, we had a blast zipping through trees with Skamania Lodge Adventures, found great deals at Columbia Gorge Outlets, and wrapped our trip with a fun day at Oaks Amusement Park in Portland.

Tips for RV Travel from Chicago to Portland

• Route Planner: Use a dedicated camper route planner to estimate drive times, fuel stops, and campground availability. Apps like Roadtrippers and RV Life are highly recommended.

• RV & Campervan Rental: Whether you're in a full-size motorhome or a compact campervan, make sure your vehicle is well-equipped for changing weather and mountain routes.

• National Park Stays: Book well ahead if you want to stay inside Yellowstone. Private RV parks nearby can be a good backup.

• Pack for All Climates: From humid lakeshores to chilly mountain nights, you'll experience a wide range of weather. Layering is key.

• Foodie Stops: From Stella's Bar & Grill in Nebraska to Portland’s food truck scene, the trip is packed with delicious regional bites.

This epic RV journey connects the Corn Belt, the Rockies, and the Pacific Northwest, revealing the many faces of America. It’s a road trip rich with discovery, perfect for those who believe that the best vacations are measured not in miles, but in memories.