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Roy_Lynne's avatar
Roy_Lynne
Explorer
Mar 05, 2019

Montana Hwy 12

Heading back east to see the Grands this spring and we are sick, sick, sick of I90 thru Montana. We have also done Hwy 2 a couple of times and would prefer it, but wondering about Hwy 12. What is the road like,we have a Class B so size won't be an issue but wondering about overnight stops and things to see and do?
  • US12 or MT12? US12 through WA and ID to Missoula, or US12 east of Missoula? I don't know where MT12 is if (if it exists).
  • Helena to Baker Mt.Hwy 12. I thought I asked about going thru Montana on Hwy 12. US HWY 12.
  • US 12 is a good in most part two lane highway. In places there is passing lanes.
    No issues with even the largest of rigs!
  • US 2 in Montana is a good road, we are especially fond of US 12 from Lewiston ID over to Lolo MT and taking in the beauty of the Clearwater and Lochsa Rivers. There is lots to see, especially the stretch from Kooskia to Lolo Pass. Stop at the Devoto Cedar Grove, Lolo Pass Visitor Center and also other places of historic nature to get an appreciation of the Lewis & Clark expedition in the early 1800's. Several USFS CG's on the way: Wilderness Gateway, Powell, Wendover, and Apgar. Stop at the main USFS office in Orofino to get good info. Have a good trip, US 12 is one of our favorite highways!
  • Honk when you go thru Elliston, lots of friendly folks live there. Beats the heck out of 90, a bit slower but a nice trip.
  • Mt200 is another route across the whole state - and by the same number into ID.

    Since the eastern part of the state is flat, there isn't a lot of difference between routes. They are all straight, flat, fast, and sparsely settled.

    Years ago, following an auto accident on US2, the hospital administrator in Glasgow put my toddler son and me on a mail plane to Billings - it was a small 2 engine plane, with half a dozen stops across the eastern half of the state.

    Looking on the map, I remembered that I used US12 for part of a drive between Billings and Glacier Nat Park. I stopped to view prong horns. But I remember the part of US89 north of 12, which crosses a modest set of mountains.
  • Thanks guys, Think Ill give Hwy 12 a try and maybe come home via Hwy 2
  • Roy&Lynne wrote:
    Thanks guys, Think Ill give Hwy 12 a try and maybe come home via Hwy 2


    Those roads are the kind that I enjoy. Beautiful country!