Hwy 212 from near Spearfish to Billings

We do not drive at night, but we will keep our eyes on the lookout for critters!

Islandman wrote:
Watch for antelope especially if you drive at night, and obey the reduced speed limits on the tribal lands.

No jackalopes??????

LOL, yes, night driving can be an adventure in dodge ball through there.

Lots of critters crossing the road.

You will have no problem driving US 212, fuel is available in Broadus MT and they don't rob you either. You will enjoy the trip, I've used that road as a good shortcut for over fifty years. Watch for antelope especially if you drive at night, and obey the reduced speed limits on the tribal lands.

My husband never goes over 60 mph when towing, so getting off the interstate is less stressful. His main concern is always if he can get gas when he gets off the interstate. Our truck pulls our 31 ft. fifth wheel.

Both the interstate and US212 cross relatively flat terrain. I90 runs straight west till it is in sight of the Big Horn Mtns, and then turns north. This is the Buffalo to Sheridan segment. Many Yellowstone bound travelers leave I90 at Buffalo and take US16 over those mountains.

Why do you prefer getting off the interstate? In some parts of the country there is a big difference. Here it is much less the case. The scenery is basically the same, maybe a bit better in the case of I90 since it skirts a mountain range. Traffic is light on both. With a median strip and limited access I90 will be safer, though you are unlikely to have problems on either.

Random streetview of US212

I90 Streetview

We will definitely need a gas stop, but I love getting off the interstate if the grades are not steep.

The only reason Mapquest (or other mapping programs) recommend it is because it is shorter. That does not mean it is better. And depending on the speed estimates it may, or may not, be faster.

The clear difference is that it is 2 lane and more remote.

I disagree with the other posters who said yes. We usually visit relatives in Montana yearly and were curious about this road. It is 50 miles shorter than I 90 but I would NOT recommend it. The road itself is in good shape, but there's nothing out there, maybe a couple of small towns that would charge you an arm & leg for fuel. It was a small 2 lane highway with little shoulder, few places to pull over. Stay on I 90

Moved from Forum Technical Support

brirene wrote:

Tom/Barb wrote:
Gas up in Spearfish, there isn't much out there.

That's true, but a good, 2 lane road without much traffic. Nice scenery further west. Intersection with 90 is right at the Little Big Horn entrance. If you prefer 2 lanes to interstates this is a good alternative. Watch out for Pronghorns!

I agree with that, we use it most every time we go east Via I-90.

Now we go #2 across the northern states, It is slower but we are not in a hurry any more, so we have not been that way in a few years.

cut east at the Custer battle field monument, come out at Spearfish, saves going south to Sheridan, and back north to Spearfish.