High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Yellowstone Trail was the first transcontinental automobile highway through the upper tier of states in the United States. It ran from Massachusetts to Seattle. It was conceived by J.W. Parmley of Ipswich, South Dakota in 1912. Originally, Parmley and his business colleagues wanted a good road from Ipswich to Aberdeen, South Dakota, 25 miles (40 km) away. In a few weeks the intent had expanded to include a good road to a popular tourist destination, Yellowstone National Park.