Recommended route from Portland, OR to Glacier NP?

I do part time RV Transport. I've made 2 runs to Kalispell from Spokane.

My preferred route, to shorten the trip, is I-90 to St Regis, Hwy 135, turn Right on highway 200, then go north on HWY 382, then bear right on HWY 28 which dumps to US93 along Flathead Lake.

My first run I went left on HWY 200 then north on 28. It's a very scneic drive, but it's another climb and descent that wasn't needed, so I came back on 382. Next trip I went on 382 both legs.

Second trip was a big ole (HEAVY) Arctic Fox. I'd do the same route again with any heavy trailer.

Mt135 follows the Clark Fork River, so is relatively flat. The river makes a zigzag at this point, switching from the I90 valley to the MT200 one.

padredw,
Thanks very much for sharing! I was skeptical on MT 135 so thanks for that info. I was just reviewing Mountain Meadows RV Park and looks real nice.

On our trip to Glacier and the Northwest a bit over a year ago, we stayed in Hungry Horse at the Mountain Meadows RV Park which moved near the top of our favorite campgrounds in our travels. It was a good base for us to visit Glacier and a pleasure to come back to each day.

We drove on to Spokane for our next overnight and then "skirted" Portland on our way to the Oregon Coast where we met RV friends and stayed in South Beach State Park.

I will share the route we took (but put it in reverse order, if I can) because that is the question raised by this thread. Leave I-90 at Montana 135 up to Montana 200. MT 28 to US 93 and on up to Hungry Horse. It was a pleasant drive pulling a 34' fifth-wheel.

I think I have that right. I know I could more easily trace the route as we took it, from Hungry Horse to Portland.

We stayed at the Riverside State Park in Spokane and then the next night at Memaloose State Park in Oregon just beside the freeway. These, too, were great places to stay.
What great memories we have of Glacier, Washington, and Oregon!

Thanks all for the advice.

'Army11Bravo', thank you much. I'm going to seriously consider your recommendation. Wow, what a spectacular view from that CG!

Agree, I want to cut down on the driving time. Camping on both sides makes alot of sense.

I agree with those who recommend camping on both sides. We did that last summer and were very glad we did. In our case, we spent 5 nights on the west side and 4 on the east, but almost any combination of at least 3 nights each side would work well. Otherwise you'll just find yourself driving a lot many of the days you're there just to get to the places you want to hike or photograph.

US 2 between east & west sides is no issue whatsoever.

As a photographer that lives 30 minutes outside the west entrance to GNP, I would suggest visiting both sides, if not camping in both. The west side of the park has the tall glacier-carved peaks and lots of forest. The east has more waterfalls and open prairies. The Going-to-the-Sun Road connecting east to west is 52 miles long. If you camp on just one side for your whole week, you will traverse this or the longer highway 2 route many times. I would suggest splitting your stay equally between east and west.

We enjoy camping at the St. Mary Campground (east) and Apgar Campground (west) inside the park, but they are primitive. If you want more amenities, try the St. Mary KOA and West Glacier KOA. Enjoy your trip!

St. Mary Campground last September...

Check out Glacier Meadow RV Park in Essex MT between east and west Glacier.
Reasonable rates, no sewer but they have pump service included in their site rate. Limited cell service but they do have a booster in the pavillion. One of our favorite parks!! Be sure to visit the Isaak Walton Inn in Essex. If you're up for an adventure down a dirt dusty road, go see Polebridge Mercantile in Polebridge MT and get a huckleberry bear claw at the bakery!

Another option would be to pick up US 95 at Coeur d Alene then US 2 out of Bonners Ferry. Only negative to that route is the, sometimes, traffic mess from Coeur d Alene through Sandpoint.

US395 between I84 and I90 is more direct.

You could switch to US2 as early as Spokane.

None of the major routes have significant grades.