Forum Discussion

bradpoff's avatar
bradpoff
Explorer
Jul 13, 2013

Highway 2 Eastern Montana--oil drilling traffic

We're planning on taking the high-line from MN to Glacier in August. Plan is I94 to Glendive, then up to Rte 2. I ran into someone at the airport last week that cautioned me about all the oil drilling related traffic in that area.

Anyone been through there this summer?

Comments on taking US 2 vs. a southern route on 200?

Towing a 31' 5er that is 12'3" high. Any height concerns?

Thanks in advance for the help and apologies if this has been covered, I couldn't find anything on a search.
Roads and Routes
  • bradpoff's avatar
    bradpoff
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2013
    We are planning to Walmart hop. Wanted to go to Dickinson the first night but they don't allow campers anymore so likely will stay in Bismark. Dickinson manager said their parking lot was 1/2 full of campers, mostly people working the oil fields and abusing the privilege, so they have banned it.

    Second night in Havre Walmart, then in to Glacier from there. Sound reasonable? (Two drivers)
  • bradpoff's avatar
    bradpoff
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2013
    paulj wrote:
    Montana Hi-Line

    Its history starts with the building of the Great Northern RR across Marias Pass.


    Thanks for the link....I did run into that site in my cruising around. Haven't explored everything on there yet but plan on continuing to nose around.
  • bradpoff's avatar
    bradpoff
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2013
    pigman1 wrote:
    We run US-2 both ways when we go to Alaska every other year. Last ran it in late May this year as far as Shelby, MT. It was a good road and even though there was oil traffic around Williston, ND. Smooth road and very little under repair or construction. We'll run it again in September.


    I heard there is far less oil related traffic from Wolf Point westward....true?
  • bradpoff's avatar
    bradpoff
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2013
    byways wrote:
    If you've never done the high line, then, by all means do it! Everyone needs that experience once in a life time. I'm ready to do it again. The only height restriction is the big Montana sky! No, seriously they haul seriously large farm equipment along that highway. You will be fine on the high line.


    Any low clearance getting from Glendive up to route 2?
  • bradpoff's avatar
    bradpoff
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2013
    danpreszler wrote:
    I've been over both and, in my opinion, Hwy 200 is a more interesting route.


    I'll be driving a Duramax and given the tiny tank (26gal) so I also need a route with plenty of fuel stops. Is 2 or 200 better from this perspective?

    Also interested in if both routes are equally flat.


    I'll have two 6 gal fuel containers in the bed of the truck too but going to Banff a couple years ago there were a couple times we were getting low.
  • pigman1's avatar
    pigman1
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2013
    We run US-2 both ways when we go to Alaska every other year. Last ran it in late May this year as far as Shelby, MT. It was a good road and even though there was oil traffic around Williston, ND. Smooth road and very little under repair or construction. We'll run it again in September.
  • byways's avatar
    byways
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2013
    If you've never done the high line, then, by all means do it! Everyone needs that experience once in a life time. I'm ready to do it again. The only height restriction is the big Montana sky! No, seriously they haul seriously large farm equipment along that highway. You will be fine on the high line.
  • danpreszler's avatar
    danpreszler
    Explorer
    Jul 13, 2013
    I've been over both and, in my opinion, Hwy 200 is a more interesting route.

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