Dallas to Minneapolis Road Trip Guide

You are now nearing the end of your trip up north through the midwest of America, but there are still some interesting places to check out in between Des Moines and Minneapolis. One of the most interesting is located at Clear Lake, but it has a tragic history.

In 1959 Buddy Holly chartered a plane to take him to his next gig, apparently because he wanted to do some laundry instead of getting a lift on his tour bus. Unfortunately, this plane ride would be the last for the world-famous singer as himself, two other musicians, and the pilot passed away after their plane crashed.

The crash site is marked by a giant pair of steel glasses to commemorate the singer and the field is often full of flowers and tributes. The site is free to visit all year round, but be prepared for a long walk from the road shoulder since no vehicle access is allowed.

Oklahoma's largest lake offers over 100,000 acres of water-based recreation just 200 miles north of Dallas. This hidden gem provides excellent fishing, swimming, boating, and a unique disc golf course. The park features over 100 RV sites, many with full hookups, making it perfect for your first overnight stop.

Lake Eufaula showcases Oklahoma's natural beauty beyond the stereotypes, with clear waters surrounded by rolling hills and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. For more Oklahoma outdoor adventures, explore our Lake Murray State Park guide featuring another of the state's premier RV camping destinations.

Football is all the rage in Kansas City, so if you are in town during the season it's well worth it to go to a Chiefs game - or at least attend a tailgate. This truly American experience is a great way to unwind and kick back after all the driving you have done since you started your RV road trip, so get ready for some fun!

Tailgating is allowed in all parking areas outside of Arrowhead Stadium up to three and a half hours before the start of the game, which means that you will have plenty of time to kick back, eat a hotdog, and drink a beer or two. If you want to experience a more luxurious tailgating experience before entering the stadium you can do so by purchasing one of the VIP packages on offer by the Chiefs. These can include all you can food and drink and special areas to gather, so check their website for more information.

Kansas is full of weird and wonderful attractions, so if you are looking for something unique you won't have to travel far when you are in this state.

After Strataca you can take a short 100-mile drive towards the city of Topeka where you will find a wacky art installation that attracts visitors from all over. Trunkhenge consists of two trucks placed in a field to look like they are heading towards the sky, so it is safe to say you've seen nothing like this before. Originally the owner erected the trucks in 2000 as a protest to members of the local area wanting him to clean up his land, but since then it has evolved into a popular place for tourists to visit.

If you decide to visit Trunkhenge you must call the farm in advance, and you will also get a tour from the farmer who created this unique work of art.

Exploring the midwest on an RV road trip gives you the chance to see some weird and wonderful places. Located around a three and a half hour drive from Tulsa is one of the most interesting museums that you will ever visit. Known as Strataca (and formerly known as the Kansas Underground Salt Museum), the museum is built on salt deposits that are thought to be over 275 million years old.

This is the only salt mine that is accessible for tourists in the whole country and within 90 seconds you will be 650 feet underground thanks to the elevator. Once you are inside the museum there are plenty of fun things to do, including going on a guided tour where you can ride through a section of the mine in a tram. You will have to wear a rescue breather and hard hat when in the mine, but it is known to be one of the safest underground salt mines in the world and nobody has ever had to use the breathing device.

Strataca is open Tuesday to Sunday and can be visited all year round barring major holidays.

Since the previous day's drive was on the longer side, you might want to take it easy before you begin to head through the plains of Kansas. Located on the Arkansas River, Tulsa is an awesome city to visit if you are into art deco architecture or have an interest in jazz. The city is full of beautiful art deco buildings constructed when the city was known as the oil capital of the world, and its jazz history is highlighted by the Jazz Hall of Fame.

Since Tulsa is the second biggest city in Oklahoma, you can expect to find a wide variety of food options, but since you are in Oklahoma you have to eat some barbecue if you eat meat. Burn Co Barbecue is a classic, or you could head to Oklahoma Joe's in South Tulsa.

A handy campground to stay at the full hookup or water and electric site that are on offer at the Tulsa NE / Will Rogers Downs KOA Journey. The campground is on the way out of the city, so staying here means you will be able to beat the morning traffic.

Iowa's capital offers surprising cultural attractions, including the renowned Des Moines Art Center and the historic East Village district. The city provides an excellent midpoint break with modern amenities and friendly Midwestern hospitality. For racing fans, consider timing your visit with events at nearby Iowa Speedway in Newton.

Stay at area campgrounds with full hookups and take advantage of Iowa's excellent state park system for scenic side trips.

Dallas has so much going on for it that you will be spoilt for choice once you arrive. While there are many bars, restaurants, and clubs to visit in the Deep Ellum entertainment district, if you are a nature lover you should take advantage of the fact that the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is within the city limits.

Along with seeing the thousands of trees and flowers within the gardens, there are plenty of great festivals happening throughout the year. Depending on what time of the year you are visiting you may get to experience the Food and Wine Festival, Dallas Blooms, or visit the Artscape. During the wintertime, the entrance fee to the gardens is reduced, so you will be able to save some bucks and still get to enjoy this tranquil area of the city.

There are a few private campgrounds that you can stay at on the north side of town, but if you aren't in a rush to leave the next day you should consider the Dallas / Arlington KOA Holiday. The campground is a great first place to stay before hitting the road and is equipped with full hookup sites that are large enough for up to 102-foot rigs.

Discover the surprising cultural richness of the Great Plains' hub. Visit the moving Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, explore the revitalized Bricktown entertainment district, and experience authentic Western heritage at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Sports fans can also check out our Dallas Cowboys RV Parking guide for game day adventures before starting your journey.

Base yourself at El Reno West KOA just outside the city, where you'll find full hookups, a fishing pond, and even buffalo viewing—a perfect introduction to Great Plains heritage.

The heart of America serves up world-famous barbecue and jazz history. Don't miss Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que for burnt ends (invented here!) and explore the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art houses world-class collections in a stunning building. Sports enthusiasts can enhance their visit with our Kansas City Royals RV Camping guide for game day experiences.

Kansas City provides excellent RV services and supply stops, plus easy access to the geographic center of the continental United States. This city also serves as a perfect launching point for our Kansas City to Los Angeles road trip if you're planning an extended western adventure.

Make a pilgrimage to the "Day the Music Died" memorial near Clear Lake, where Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson played their final concert. The Surf Ballroom still hosts live music today.

Clear Lake area offers excellent lakeside camping with sites featuring full hookups in a peaceful setting perfect for reflection and fishing—ideal for contemplating this important music history site.