Highway 12 through ID panhandle

Thank you, everyone!

@newk: My toad is a bicycle, so on behalf of bicyclists everywhere, I am sorry about your birthday cake (and the mess) and I thank you for not hesitating to put the humans' safety first!

Gotta admit after having driven that route a few times, cruise control is an item I did NOT use for the stretch from Lolo Pass to almost Lewiston.

For the reasons already given here; curves, traffic, and bicycles.

It's a nice drive that I'd recommend to anyone. The only thing I caution about is to watch out for bicyclers. On many curves there's really not room for bikes on the shoulders, so if you come around a sharp curve, you may also be coming upon a cycler in your lane and be meeting a vehicle in the opposite lane.

It happened to me the last time I came across Hwy 12. I was traveling slower than the posted curve speed, suddenly came upon two cyclists at the edge of the road just ahead of me, and at the same time was meeting a motorhome on the corner. The cyclists tried to get over as far as they could, but there was a railing so they couldn't get any further over. All I could do was slam on the brakes, which I did. I ended up with a birthday cake and misc. dinnerware on the floor of my camper but we all escaped anything more serious.

Just be careful of cyclists and keep the speed down on the curves. You never know what's around the next corner.

I pulled thru it last year in late June and enjoyed it. I did not use my cruise control as I did not feel it would help anything. I do not have a newer truck with grade control or exhaust brake. My cruise will not set at a speed below 35 mph. That being said I do not remember what speed I used most of the time thru there. At the time there was very little traffic. Go and enjoy the ride.

I do 99.999% of my towing in the inter-mountain west and do every bit I can in cruise control. There are lots of advantages to it, especially when heavy.

Simply using cruise control does not make you less aware of the roads, not watching the roads makes you less aware.

enblethen wrote:
Much of the highway, US 12, you will be above 25 MPH. There is some much to see you could be slowing down to see it all.
If you set the speed control at the lower end you may not need to slow down with brakes or disengage the speed control. You could even use the deceleration function on the speed control.

Thanks a bunch. It really helps to know before I go :).

2gypsies wrote:
I think not using cruise control makes you more aware of your driving. On that curvy road, I wouldn't do it.

I injured my foot, so cruise control will be requirement a while. It's either take hwy 12 and use cruise control, or take a different route -- and use cruise control.

I think not using cruise control makes you more aware of your driving. On that curvy road, I wouldn't do it.

Much of the highway, US 12, you will be above 25 MPH. There is some much to see you could be slowing down to see it all.
If you set the speed control at the lower end you may not need to slow down with brakes or disengage the speed control. You could even use the deceleration function on the speed control.

Hmm, two very different answers! We need a tie-breaker.

Or, Enblethen, are you thinking of my minivan, not a big RV? But I am a cautious driver...

Naio wrote:

AH64ID wrote:
17 has more elevation changes, and is higher above the river in places... Even thou it is shorter.

17 is also a beautiful drive, but nothing like 12.

I get to drive 12 every couple of years, but hit 17 many times each year.

Thank you, AH64ID!

Would I be able to stay above 25, going around the turns? I like cruise control, especially when I am enjoying the view :)

For the most part you will be 40-50. I too tow in cruise as often as possible, and it will be possible for most of the road.