Hwy 89 in Montana

ewarnerusa wrote:
2-lane road. I don't remember the E. Glacier to Great Falls leg being particularly scenic but it has been many years since I've been on it. I've never driven from Great Falls to White Sulpher Springs on 89, but that is the highway that Showdown Ski Area is on and I know that there will be some elevation to get up and over. Wide straight empty 2 lane highway from White Sulphur to Livingston on 89. Bridger Mountain Range on your right, Crazies on your left.

And aren't Castles also on the right closer to White Sulphur.
I lived in Livingston for 13 years and made the trip to Great Falls many times. Nice drive from Sulphur to Belt. Really miss Montana.

From East Glacier you might want to consider driving north to just before Babb and take route 464 to get to Browning. We used 89 between Browning and East Glacier both directions with our 24ft Class C, no toad, but you might be more comfortable avoiding the curves and short grades on that section of 89 with your longer length.

I would suggest that upon leaving St. Mary, go north on 89 toward Babb and turn right on Duck Lake Rd(464) to Browning. It is a lot better drive than taking 89 to Browning.

We followed this advice last summer and it was a good option. Still quite scenic.

Can't advise whether route 89 the the "best" route, but we did drive that road from Gardiner up to East Glacier the first week of June, 2010. From East Glacier you might want to consider driving north to just before Babb and take route 464 to get to Browning. We used 89 between Browning and East Glacier both directions with our 24ft Class C, no toad, but you might be more comfortable avoiding the curves and short grades on that section of 89 with your longer length. The rest of 89 from Browning to Great Falls was an easy drive. Coming north from Yellowstone, we did an overnight at Great Falls so we could visit the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center as well as adjacent Giant Springs.

South of about Neihart, route 89 starts a long climb to Kings Hill Pass at 7,400 ft in the Little Belt Mountains followed by a long descent to White Sulphur Springs. From there it's all level in a wide valley all the way to Gardiner.

When we did it there was lots of snow on the mountains and we thought it a very scenic drive.

I have driven that leg of 89 several times. It is a good road. Scenic is in the eye of the beholder.

I would suggest that upon leaving St. Mary, go north on 89 toward Babb and turn right on Duck Lake Rd(464) to Browning. It is a lot better drive than taking 89 to Browning.

2-lane road. I don't remember the E. Glacier to Great Falls leg being particularly scenic but it has been many years since I've been on it. I've never driven from Great Falls to White Sulpher Springs on 89, but that is the highway that Showdown Ski Area is on and I know that there will be some elevation to get up and over. Wide straight empty 2 lane highway from White Sulphur to Livingston on 89. Bridger Mountain Range on your right, Crazies on your left.

Google maps street view shows that to be a 2-lane road.