25 Sep Girls’ Getaway Road Trip
Okay, so you love to travel… and then a global pandemic hits. What do you do? You plan a road trip with your girlfriends.
Now, full disclosure—I’m not typically one for long car rides. But once the conversation started flowing and we mapped out the destinations, I was sold. Living in the Pacific Northwest, I’ve had plenty of opportunities to explore the West Coast but hadn’t really ventured into some of our neighboring states. So, in September 2020, amid all the uncertainty, the three of us girls packed up (okay, overpacked) our SUV and hit the road. What followed was a journey full of laughter, adventure, spontaneous discoveries, and some truly eye-opening lessons in both history and nature.
This wasn’t a rigid itinerary kind of trip. We had a framework—key towns and cities with accommodations booked—but left most of our days open to explore whatever caught our interest. Tiny shops, charming boutiques, cozy cafés, and quirky roadside stops—we made time for it all.
Stop 1: Portland, Oregon ➝ Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
We kicked things off with a 6-hour drive from Portland, through Oregon and Washington, and into Idaho—landing at the beautiful Coeur d’Alene Resort. After a delicious dinner, we walked along rows of docked boats and ended the evening fireside with a much-deserved nightcap. The next morning, we hopped on a retro-style wooden boat that took us to a private beach owned by the resort. It was the perfect way to soak up some late-summer sun.
The Coeur d’Alene Resort was such a pleasant surprise—beautiful grounds, activities for everyone, and definitely a place I’d love to return to for a longer stay.
Stop 2: Missoula, Montana
After our day in the sun we left Idaho, making our way to Missoula—a lively college town with just the right amount of small-town charm. We checked into a 2-bedroom VRBO right in town. It was a great overnight spot, but I regretted the multiple flights of stairs (note to self: heavy suitcases + short stays = rethink packing).
We grabbed coffee at a local café the next morning and were back on the road, this time heading for Bozeman.
Stop 3: Bozeman, Montana
Bozeman totally reminded me of Bend, Oregon—outdoorsy, stylish, and full of character. We spent the day wandering Main Street, popping into boutiques, chatting with locals, and grabbing bites at laid-back restaurants. I could absolutely see myself spending more time here in the future.
Later that afternoon, we made our way down to Yellowstone National Park, staying near the west entrance for easy access the next morning.
Stop 4: Yellowstone National Park ➝ Grand Teton National Park
We woke up early (pro tip: it gets crowded!) and entered the park from the west. With only one full day to explore, we planned our route strategically hitting Midway Geyser Basin, watching Old Faithful erupt, and even witnessing a traffic standstill caused by a mama grizzly and her two cubs crossing the road. The scale and raw beauty of Yellowstone was honestly overwhelming in the best way.
From there, we exited through the South Entrance, cruising down the scenic John D. Rockefeller Jr. Parkway. The views of the Grand Tetons? Absolutely unreal. Snowcapped peaks, alpine lakes, and golden light—nature’s drama at its finest.
That night, we checked into Hotel Jackson for a luxury stay and had a relaxed dinner in town.
Stop 5: Jackson, Wyoming
We woke to a surprise snowfall—the perfect September twist. Our original plan for a horseback trail ride through the Teton Forest had to pivot due to the weather, but we still ventured out to admire the mountains blanketed in snow.
By midday, the snow in town had melted, and we dove into Jackson’s western charm. We browsed shops, tried on hats and boots, picked out a few locally made pieces, and of course snapped a photo under the iconic antler arches. While I usually plan restaurant stops ahead of time, it was refreshing to go with the flow and see where the day (and our stomachs) led us.
Stop 6: Keystone, South Dakota ➝ Mt. Rushmore ➝ Badlands National Park
The next day, we made our way east to Keystone, South Dakota, checking into a cozy cabin about 15 minutes from Mt. Rushmore. While that Airbnb listing is no longer available, I’d recommend looking into Under Canvas Mt. Rushmore for future visits—it offers luxury glamping with unreal views of the monument.
We spent the evening exploring Keystone’s main street before turning in for the night.
The next morning, we visited Mt. Rushmore. It’s one of those places you think you understand from photos, but nothing compares to seeing it in person—the sheer size, detail, and significance is something you must experience yourself.
From there, we continued to Badlands National Park, which felt like we’d landed on another planet. Layers of color streaked across jagged rock formations, the light changing their appearance every hour. We saw plenty of buffalo and meercats along the way, adding to the surreal vibe.
What I Learned (and What You Should Know)
This trip gave me something I didn’t know I needed connection. To old friends, to new places, to forgotten corners of this country. We sang our hearts out to playlists, played silly road trip games, and had deep talks about life and everything in between.
Planning Tip: I used the Roadtrippers app to map out the route. It helped visualize drive times and suggested interesting stops along the way.
Packing Tip: Don’t overpack. Seriously. You’re in a car and spending most of your time outside. Stick with a capsule wardrobe, comfortable shoes, and weather-friendly layers.
Transportation Tip: We rented a large SUV in Portland OR, our home base then dropped it at Rapid City regional airport where we flew out of returning home. Renting a car was surprisingly cost efficient, no extra miles on anyone’s owned car and it made it nice to fly back home once our adventure was complete.
Final Thoughts
This wasn’t a bucket list trip—it was better. It reminded me how much beauty exists right in our backyard. How joy and meaning can be found on the open road, even in the middle of a pandemic. And that sometimes, all you need is good friends, good snacks, and an open mind.
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