Looking for safe routes between Glacier and Banff

I have been on most all those roads several times as my son lives in Kalispell, just outside Glacier. I do not know the hyway numbers, but, I would say that from west Glacier go down around the south side to the east side to St. Mary. Then spend one night at Waterton National PARK. I WOULD NOT MISS IT! From there it is easy ride to Fort McCloud and Banff. From Banff and Jasper just take your pick of where to go west thru the mountains. You can easily find your way to down to Sandpoint and Coeur d' lane.

Sorry about that meant 89. Maybe not enough coffee at that time of the day. Biggest thing is to go on the Duck Lake road and then turn north. Not much for hills and pretty straight and can make good time.Follow the park and As I mentioned previous hilly windi.g full of white knuckle rvers and bicycles. Good if you are taking your time but as regulars or someone on a schedule probably better Browning through Duck Lake is better.

bradyk wrote:
...The only tweak in your route I would suggest is instead of 29 slide over slightly to the east and taking 464 (Duck Lake Road) north instead of 29 and then cross the border through Carway....,

Where is 29?

MT49 runs north from US2 to US89, which in turn runs all the way north to Carway. MT464 from Browning to Babb is a good way around the hilly part of US89. You still have to take US89 to the border - unless you take MT17 to Waterton.

We live this way and do the trip regularly to Hungry Horse where we camp instead of West Glacier which is just a few miles away. The only tweak in your route I would suggest is instead of 29 slide over slightly to the east and taking 464 (Duck Lake Road) north instead of 29 and then cross the border through Carway. Then hit Fort Mcleod and north to Cowtown. It looks a little longer on the map but is actually quicker as it is pretty straight and only hilly. If you take 29 it is slow and winding and mountain driving and you have to deal with the inexperienced RV white knuckle drivers crawling along as it runs along the edge of the mountains. Lots of bicycles in the summer too to avoid and make it slow so if you want to make some time may not be the best route. Nice scenery though if you can do it in the early spring or September when no one is around. Duck lake Road you can run full tilt all the way north and still see the mountains on your left as you drive,

Calgary has some nice museums, you could also go North to Edmonton and check out West Edmonton Mall, it is a very nice place to visit.

Bob in Calif.

From West Glacier, Going to the Sun is the one highway that is closed to your rig. But you could take US2 back to the east side, and then US89 north to the border. The first part of 89 (as far as St Mary) is in rolling foothills. It's not difficult, but you'll do a lot more steering than other routes.

What I meant by "safe" was that we were worry about mountain passes. This is our first long trip with our new to us motorhome. We previously had a light weight lower profile 5er pulled by a F350 4x4. Mountain passes were no problem for us then. DH just wants me to get as much info. on what to expect. We would like to make a loop up to Banff and back down to the US. We were thinking about going through Fort MacLeod on the way up to visit the Fort Museum of the Mounted Police and Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. From there we would be heading to Calgary (not sure what to do in Calgary) and then on to Banff. After Banff we wanted to head back down south on 95 to Coeur d'Alene. C-liner, thanks for the info. on Radium Hot Springs. I'll have to look into that.

In this area all highway passes are easy. You'd have to go out of your way to find something that would be a challenge or tight squeeze for your rig.

Banff is on the Trans Canada Hwy, which is divided hwy all the way through the park.

US93 becomes BC93 and enters Kootenay Nat Park at Radium. Before that it meets BC95, which would take you to US95 and CDA. If you want to make loop, consider taking BC3 east to Alberta (very easy pass), and AB22 north along the front range. 22 goes all the way to Hwy1, or you could turn west at Longview (this is Texas style oil country) and take Hwy 40 through AB parks to Canmore.

Sure you could also take 3 to 2 and north to Calgary. But unless you want to drive through the city, I don't know why you'd want to.

Another way in/out of the Nat Parks from BC is Hwy from Golden through Yoho NP to Lake Louise. BC95/93 from Golden south travels through the Rocky Mtn Trench, a broad valley that is the origin of both the Columbia River (which exits to the north) and the Kootenay River (flowing south to the USA).

Get yourself a book and official guide to the Canadian Rockies Nat Parks, and check what you want to see and do in that complex.

I like "crabbin cabin"s route also. Went that way in 2002 when I retired and stayed three nights in Radium Hot Springs. Take time to relax in the large naturally heated pool that is about 5 feet deep and stays at about 104 degrees F. If I remember right it is just out of town on Rt 93. Great scenery and great people. Hope to return someday. Safe travels!

Safest? They are all safe for you and your rig in that part of the world. Most direct?- From W. Glacier - come back west to Whitefish. Then US 93 north (number stays the same in BC) and cross at Roosville. Stay on 93 all the way to Radium Hot springs then turn N.E (still 93)thru Kootenay National Park until it crosses into Alberta/ Banff National Park and on to #1 (Trans Canada Highway - TCH) at Castle Mountain junction. From there east to town of Banff, west to Lake Louise etc. Your choice there depending on where you want to go and what to see? (PM me if you like on some of those things - details. That is my home country!)
John